Netherlands: VIRTUES IN CATHOLIC EDUCATION

Virtues  in Catholic education

by Elizabeth Boddens Hosang, the Netherlands

Catholic education in the Netherlands has changed over the past years. This is due to changes in society and within the Church since the Second Vatican Council. Be that as it may, the Netherlands still has schools which choose to be Catholic, which search for ways in which students can be introduced to the Catholic Tradition and Gospel values. Dutch Catholic educational institutes are warm and nurturing centres where students of all ages feel welcomed.
 In such a safe setting students are able to develop personally. In the Netherlands, we have a system where Catholic identity advisors help primary schools to develop their own identity, within the broad Catholic tradition. These advisors develop materials necessary for religious education classes, provide schools with background information, but also aid in developing thoughts on Catholic identity for a mission statement, personnel development and the proper information for parents and others involved.
 Part of the Dutch Christian National Union (the CNV) is concerned with education and especially people working in education, both Christian and Protestant. The Union has a working group specifically geared towards Catholic education[1] , represented in the National Catholic Schools Council[2] and delegates members to the WUCT. The group has produced thoughts on the developments in Dutch Catholic education and materials for people working in Catholic schools.

All schoolsin the Netherlands have students from various religious and cultural backgrounds, so dialogue with and learning about different faiths is unavoidable. This can only be done within a safe environment and when one has a better understanding of one’s own faith background.  This is another focal point for identity advisors.

The bishops of the Netherlands have written a document on Catholic Education (‘Bezield en Zelfbewust’, 2002). In this document they have encouraged Catholic schools to be a nurturing and safe place where young people can develop every aspect of their being: a holistic approach. As the Dutch government made sex education mandatory for all primary schools, Catholic schools especially should emphasize that each individual is created in the image of God. Consequently, all aspects of a person’s sexuality – whether he/ she is hetero or homosexual, is the result of creation by a loving God. This should be treated with respect and care, without any implicit or explicit judgment.

A school is part of society and an open Catholic Church which engages in dialogue with society respects all people, despite their background and orientation.

Several years ago, the Catholic primary schools of the Foundation for Christian Education in Leiden, have spoken about the values and virtues they consider important with which to imbue the students. These are of course rooted in Scripture.[3]  The result is that when the mission statement on the identity of the Leiden Catholic primary schools was written, I translated this into practice, to avoid it remaining a statement on paper. 
The result is that the schools now have a virtues program with one virtueas focus for 6 weeks, stories from Scripture and from other traditions are told, discussions are held, and a poster and lessons are provided. At another moment in the week, teachers read from a children’s bible in order to familiarize students with the stories Jesus knew (: our ‘Old’ Testament) and the stories about and by Jesus and his followers (: our ‘New’ Testament).

There is a concern that when discussing values without connecting these to Tradition, the resulting mission statement may appear to be child-focussed and educationally sound, but shows no awareness of the educational institute’s foundation in the Christian tradition. Hence, the discussions of these particular schools were led by myself. As Catholic identity advisor, I always kept in mind the Christian background of these schools.

Dr. Elizabeth Boddens Hosang, the Netherlands

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[1]CNV werkgroep KV.

[2]NKSR.

[3] The values and virtues the teachers suggested are: respect, solidarity, trust, wonder, justice, tolerance, kindness, forgiveness, awe, optimism, care and joy.

ETHICS IN SCHOOL - ETICA A SCUOLA

The ethics in school

By  dr.Vincenza Conserva – AIMC - Italia

In the Italian pedagogical literature we can mention Elio Damiano about an ethics matter.

In 2007  "The ethical teacher" is releaced, in this book he address issues relating to the teaching profession from various points of view, because this profession is to build and outline in relation to students, to families, to the socio-cultural context but also to colleagues, the head teacher, the professionals of the school.

The "common sense of crisis" can only lead, or should lead, to research or reconstruction of a frame of meaning or reference values ​​which will ferry and overcome the crisis of contemporary society.

In a school where knowledge is not simply transmitted, but built and rebuilt in the small school community, knowledge is not an object in itself, but it comes to determining the personal reconstruction of the subject which is not neutral, as Damiano says "the reconstruction of cultural objects" is a privileged right, socially legitimized by an anthropological project on young people.

Since 1980 we see in Western countries to a proliferation of conferences and essays on ethics applied to various fields of knowledge, environmental ethics, bioethics etc. There is a large debate on the answers to the "school crisis" and research highlights "the thick of the action extent moral teacher".

Damiano reminds us that, although in relativistic terms, "every age and every culture have their own, irreducible, ethic (or moral)", but the analysis of the company, its people and its knowledge, you will reach the foundation of an "ethic of responsibility", "ethic adequate to development places education post-modern problems". ........ 

ETHICS IN SCHOOL - ETICA A SCUOLA  - en/it

Italia: ETHICS AND VIRTUES IN PERSONAL AND PROFESSIONAL LIFE OF THE TEACHERS - ETICA E VIRTÙ' NELLA VITA E NELLA PROFESSIONE

From rules

 to responsablity….

By Italo Bassotto – AIMC Italia

It’s a general point of view among the researchers in sociological matters, that teaching is no more a job like other work activities, but a “profession” and that the teachers belong to the “reflective practitioner category” of workers. It means that teachers are involved in a particular kind of relationship’s system, whose most important characteristics to be absolutely free (and for this reason, responsible) of their own attitudes in respect of students, parents and society.

               Man could argue that responsibility is a characteristic of every job in this time, when the Taylor stand Fordism[1]  principles of scientific division of work have been abandoned and the production systems are more and more entrusted to the individual (or of small groups) competence.  But the specific characteristic of the teaching work is that consists in establishing and manage human relationships, and particularly thatching of human relations called “take care”, not only in a physical sense (security, health, ), but also spiritually (psychological, moral and social well-being).

This kind of responsibility requires not only a lot of technical skills (in the entire spectrum of the human sciences) that must be constant updated, owing to the steady development of knowledge in this area of science research; but also (and especially, in my opinion) a deep and safe personal and professional identity. In Italy we have a university professor (Elio Damiano) who published in 2008 an in-depth study, using materials of American and English scientist and researchers. He called his book “The ethic teacher”, and identified the main characteristics of the moral heritage of the teachers in: .....

[...]

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ETHIC AND VIRTUES....

ETICA E VIRTÙ NELLA VITA PERSONALE E PROFESSIONALE 

ETHICS AND VERTUES IN .... Etique et vertus dans ... - La ética y la virtud en - Etica e virtù nella ..... (en/es/fr/it)

WHAT APPETITE DO YOU HAVE?

Ethics and virtue in life and in society: 

A utopia, a hope, a commitment.

by Giovanni Perrone

According to Aristotle, the appetite is the natural tendency for each person to realize what he or she considers "good." The concept of good is closely related to the way of understanding life and the manner of relating to others and society. The recent study by the OCSE, Trust in Government, comparatively analyzes the situation of 29 countries in the world in regards to corruption, highlighting the need, from the earliest years of life, to teach and to exercise the ethics of good citizenship.  Therefore, the report reminds all of the institutions called upon of their responsibility to take care of the growth of good citizens. However, even the citizens must know how to take care of the institutions. In fact, often the unvirtuous citizens make institutions empty of value and full of wrongdoing.

The ethical life consists of taking "care of oneself, care of others, and care of the institutions" (P. Ricoeur). One develops the ability to take care of oneself from birth thanks to the commitment and example of educators-leaders and to life in environments that favor the practice of virtue. The ethics of care interact with the ethics of justice thanks to an idea of good (the so-called common good) that unites the self and the other. It is the willingness to "be ready" for the other that characterizes the act with care.

There is no life without the ethical practice of virtue. I refer to human and civic virtues that interact well with those promoted by religion and favor its development. "Virtue is a habit and creates a firm disposition to do good.   The   human virtues are firm attitudes, stable dispositions, and habitual perfections of intellect and will that govern our actions, order our passions, and guide our conduct according to reason and faith. They make possible self-mastery and joy in leading a morally good life. The virtuous person is he or she who freely practices the good. Every virtue allows the person not only to perform good acts, but also to give the best of himself or herself. With all of his or her sensory and spiritual energy, the virtuous person tends toward the good; researching and choosing it in concrete actions." Thus, this affirms the Catechism of the Catholic Church. Some virtues have a pivotal function; they are called cardinals: justice, fortitude, prudence, and temperance. Indeed, “if one loves justice, virtues are the fruits of his or her labor. In fact, the virtues teach temperance and prudence, justice and fortitude” (Sap 8.7). The other virtues gravitate around them. The virtues are not declaimed but lived, matured day by day, even in the little choices and actions of our daily lives.

The appetite to do good guides and supports in making sound choices and living a virtuous lifestyle. A good appetite ...........

ETHICS AND VITUES  en/fr/es/it 

Congo: ETIQUE ET VERTUS DANS LA VIE ET L'ENSEIGNEMENT

LUBUMBASHI-AFC-RD CONGO

Message pour le Conseil – London, 18-20 november 2016

Bien chers frères et sœurs, membres de l’UMEC,

Nous sommes très heureux de venir auprès de vous en cette occasion de la grande assemblée mondiale sous le thème "Ethique et vertus dans la vie et l'enseignement." Un thème très riche et très important qui invitera tous les participants à une grande réflexion sur la vie des éducateurs dans la famille catholique.

Mon supérieur Provincial m’avait autorisé de venir participer à cette rencontre et j’ai pu faire les démarches avec votre lettre d’invitation. Je n’ai pas obtenu le visa pour venir à cette rencontre, nous viendrons à la prochaine occasion, de tout cœur je remercie tous les organisateurs de cette assemblée de m’avoir invité et grand merci pour la confiance que vous nous accordez.

Parler de l’Ethique et Vertus dans nos milieux scolaires, éducatifs, estudiantins n’est pas chose très facile, ainsi il nous faudra beaucoup de courage pour proposer et accompagner des éducateurs et éduqués à marcher ensemble pour faire famille.

Comme salésiens de Don Bosco que faisons pour parler de l’Ethique et transmettre les vertus dans nos milieux ?

Partant du style de Don Bosco et de Marie Dominique Mazzarello, nous voulons créer d’abord un esprit de confiance parmi nous dans nos œuvres, il n’y a pas d’éducation sans confiance. Nous visons l’esprit de famille[1]. Chez Don Bosco, pour une bonne éducation nous voulons que chaque œuvre de Don Bosco remplisse les conditions suivantes : « Une œuvre salésienne est : - une maison qui accueille, une paroisse (Eglise) qui évangélise, une école qui prépare à la vie et la cour de recréation pour se rencontrer en amis et vivre dans la joie. [2]» .......

ETIQUE ET VERTUS DANS LA VIE ET L'ENSEIGNEMENT

UNESCO - LIDERAZGO ESCOLAR EN AMERICA LATINA Y CARIBE

Compartimos el siguiente documento publicado por la UNESCO: LIDERAZGO ESCOLAR EN AMÉRICA LATINA Y EL CARIBE.

La realidad de América Latina y el Caribe en cuanto a las políticas de potenciación del liderazgo directivo escolar ha sido sólo recientemente investigada (UNESCO-OREALC, 2014). La principal evidencia en el área ha dado cuenta que las políticas dirigidas a los directores escolares en la región aparecen como un ámbito en movimiento y en proceso de cambio. 

Así, distintos sistemas escolares han incorporado diversas medidas tendientes a fortalecer el liderazgo de los directores, dentro de las que destacan la precisión de las responsabilidades de los líderes educativos mediante la incorporación de estándares de desempeño, la introducción de sistemas profesionalizados y transparentes de selección y, más recientemente, la instalación de sistemas de evaluación de su performance y/o de incentivos para alcanzar determinados resultados.

Sin embargo, subsisten desafíos mayores, dentro de los cuales uno central corresponde al ámbito de la preparación y formación de los líderes escolares. En general, los países latinoamericanos tienden a no contar con políticas claras y coherentemente estructuradas, que fijen los contenidos y competencias de base a desarrollar en función de estándares de desempeño preestablecidos, que distingan diferentes necesidades formativas en relación a las etapas de desarrollo de los directivos, y que aseguren la existencia de programas de calidad que logren brindar esta formación requerida. 

Buscando aportar a este desafío, este estudio se propuso la identificación, descripción detallada y sistematización de 6 programas innovadores de formación de la región, los que puedan servir para la diseminación de buenas prácticas y el fortalecimiento de las iniciativas de desarrollo del liderazgo directivo escolar de América Latina y el Caribe.

Oscar Armando Pérez Sayago - CIEC

LIDEERAZGO ESCOLAR

PHILIPPINES: THE CATHOLIC TEACHERS' GUILD

               UMEC-WUCT COUNCIL

 NOVEMBER 18, 2016   - ST. MARY's UNIVERSITY  - LONDON

by: dr. prof. BELEN L. TANGCO, 

CTGP President, Manila Philippines

        JESUS CHRIST, our Lord, is the GREATEST TEACHER. In His humanity, He lived to the fullest in His love and service.  In His divinity, He showered grace and being as He so redeemed man.

Through His redemptive act, man's pain and finiteness inherit infinity and eternal bliss.

Through His death and resurrection, He teaches courage, compassion, commitment, direction and renewed vitality to journey towards the Heavenly Father.  With a Trinitarian inspiration and providence, indeed, behooving one to share the gifts of LIFE.

         In our Catholic Teachers' Guild of the Philippines ( CTGP ), established in the early 50's, we have etched in our hearts and consciousness the Motto: “Initium Sapientiae Timor Domini" ( Fear of the Lord is the Beginning of Wisdom).  With the objectives of updating teachers with the pedagogical strategies and techniques in periodic symposia and seminar-workshops as well as  CTGP guidance in value formation and commitment to teaching vocation, CTGP also reaches out to communities in the periphery thru catechetical instructions and community projects. Pilgrimages also form part of formation to further nourish spiritual vitality. In collaboration with the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines (CBCP), CTGP co-hosts with the University of Santo Tomas the holding of National Conferences of the National Council of the Laity (Sangguniang Laiko ng Pilipinas ), and actively participates in the Philjppine Conference on New Evangelisation  ( PCNE ) convened by Manila's Archbishop Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle, D.D.. With CTGP's general  membership composed of  private and public school teachers, whose big number come from Metro Manila and chapters in the provinces, parishes and  regions in the Central Philippines; Catechists, Guidance Counselors, administrators, supervisors and superintendents, both active and retired, the CBCP's Episcopal Commission on the Laity Chairman , Bishop Broderick Pabillo, D.D., hopes to gather, with the leadership of Council of the Laity President Zeny Capistrano , significant thousands of participants in the " WALK FOR LIFE" event slated on February 18, 2017 at the Rizal Park area as assembly venue to voice out support for LIFE. This is in collaboration with industries who would be financially supporting the event.

       CTGP VISION: To create in Catholic teachers an ever deeper awareness of drawing inspiration for their activities in the Christian vision of the world of education permeated with the Gospel values.

       CTGP MISSION : To assist the members in acquiring the true philosophy of Catholic Education , and to promote the spiritual and professional growth of Filipino Catholic Teachers, as well as their social well- being to enable them to live up to the ideals of an authentic Catholic Educator.

     Besides the periodic seminars for the personal and professional growth of members, national conferences are convened with adopted themes such as: " Teacher's Joy and Courage" with Rev. Fr. Jesus Miranda, OP as Keynote Speaker;  " Dominican Charism in the Personal and Professional Lives of Teachers" with Rev. Fr. Louie R. Coronel, OP as Keynote Speaker; "Teacher's Faith and Mission" and the like.

     Indeed, we could only be mindful of the Address of Pope Francis on the " Culture of Encounter."

In this encounter, we have three (3) languages: the language of the mind; the language of the heart; and the language of the hands.

     A teacher has to take risks. A true educator must be a Master of reasonable risks, the Pope articulates. Attending to the poor young people of the outskirts is also a way of learning sociological reality: they have something that the young people of the wealthier neighborhoods do not have : they have the experience of survival, of cruelty, of hunger, and also of injustice.  They have a wounded humanity. 

       Our salvation comes from the wounds of a wonderful Man on the Cross. From these wounds, they draw wisdom. Teachers have to help them grow in humanity, in intelligence, in values, in attitudes, so that they may move forward and bring to others the experience that they do not have. Reality is better understood from the peripheries than from the centre. Pope Francis underscores, " The greatest failure that an educator can have is teaching within walls."

     I say, the Wounded Healer , the Greatest Teacher, the King of Kings, Jesus Christ, heals our wounded humanity. HE IS LOVE. I always recall the words written on the walls of a hospital chapel, with the image of our Lord Jesus crowned with thorns whispering in pain, " Loving me is having the courage to be pierced by thorns and to be embraced with my blood . "

 Belen L. Tangco

CONGO - PROMO SCOLAIRE 2016

PROMO SCOLAIRE A LUBUMBASHI

 RD CONGO EDITION 2016-

     Les élèves des différentes de la ville de Lubumbashi ont participé à la Promo Scolaire au lycée Tuendelee, activité organisée par le Mouvement Salésien des Jeunes - AFC.      

     Plusieurs jeunes sont vénus répondre à ce rendez-vous de la promotion des talents des jeunes, et moment de vivre en famille avec le défilé de mode, les chants, la danse, le génie en herbe, la créativité personnelle,...

     Merci à tous les bienfaiteurs et bienfaitrices locaux et internationaux qui ont soutenu cette journée par la prière et les cadeaux d'encouragement, que Dieu vous bénisse...

ADVENT: TO WALK WITH SAINT JOHN THE BAPTIST - ADVIENTO: CAMINAR CON SAN JUAN BAUTISTA - AVENT: CHEMINER AVEC SAINT JEAN BAPTISTE

Saint Jean-Baptiste,

figure de l’éducateur chrétien

par  Vincent Dollmann

A côté de la figure de la Vierge Marie, le temps de l’Avent nous propose de cheminer avec saint Jean-Baptiste le précurseur du Christ. Il annonçait la venue imminente du Messie par son enseignement et son témoignage de vie. Sa compétence était reconnue au point qu’on le confondait avec le Christ. En même temps, il se retirait pour laisser le Christ agir. Dans le métier d’éducateur, la compétence va de pair avec l’humilité. C’est une nécessité pour le formateur, s’il veut être heureux dans son métier. C’est une condition de réussite par rapport à ceux dont il a la charge.

1.     L’éducateur, un chercheur de vérité

Être éducateur à la suite de Jean-Baptiste, c’est être chercheur de la vérité ; c’est être capable de découvrir l’initiative et la présence de Dieu. En fait, c’est toujours Dieu qui fait le premier pas, c’est Lui qui est venu à Jean Baptiste à travers Jésus.

Quand Jean-Baptiste voit venir Jésus vers lui, il dira : « Voici l’Agneau de Dieu, qui enlève le péché du monde ». Il accueille par avance tout le mystère de Jésus qui vivra la fidélité au Dieu Père jusque dans la mort et y ouvrira ainsi une brèche pour permettre aux hommes d’accéder au pardon et à la vie de Dieu. 

ADVENT: TO WALK WITH SAINT JOHN THE BAPTIST

ADVIENTO: CAMINAR CON SAN JUAN BAUTISTA

AVENT: CHEMINER AVEC  SAINT JEAN BAPTISTE

Glasgow - SHARED MISSION - CULTURE AND EDUCATION - NEW BLOG

Shared Mission

Faith. Culture. Education.

Skip to content

Welcome to ‘Shared Mission’

Posted on October 8, 2016by Leonardo Franchi

Educational thought never stands still. There are many things to discuss, critique and applaud. This blog aims to unite the worlds of faith, culture and education, hoping in turn to offer a contribution to meaningful discussion of these important issues.

The blog is named after my book Shared Mission: Religious Education in the Catholic Tradition. Future posts will tease out the specific nature of the ‘shared mission’ but, in wider terms, education must be a place of rich cultural formation. In Catholic education, it is faith that informs culture. This mission is shared by all members of the Church. There is no opt out.

We will also explore broader issues in education, especially the need for solid academic foundations. Education is not just about preparation for work but is part of life itself.  To live, to learn, to love: that really is the shared mission!

The Tab buttons at the top of the page give some further information about the areas in which I have an interest. If you have any comments or ideas, or just wish to say hello, send  an email using the ‘Contact Me’ tab on the menu. I look forward to hearing from you.

Leonardo Franchi

SHARED MISSION

UMEC-WUCT COUNCIL - HOMILY OF BISHOP VINCENT DOLLMAN - Homélie de Mgr Vincent Dollmann - La homilía del obispo Dollmann

     SUNDAY OF CHRIST KING        

DIMANCHE DU CHRIST ROI

DOMINGO DE CRISTO REY

The feast of Christ the King of the universe corresponds to the last Sunday of the liturgical year. This choice makes this feastthe summit of our faith. To those who still have trouble with the title of king, and to each of us, the liturgy of the Word proposes to us to deepen this faith.

Yes, Jesus Christ is king! He never challenged this title, as suggested in the gospel of that day which mentions the mockery of the leaders of the people and the soldiers, and the inscription placed on the cross: "this is the king of the Jews"!

Jesus Christ is king; but he refused to give in to nostalgia for some of the people who were waiting for a political Messiah. Likewise, he did not hesitate to distinguish himself from Pilate for whom royalty was synonymous with military power.

Jesus Christ is king and his kingship is boundless; but it revealed itself through the rejection and humiliation of the cross. The Cross is where the strength of God's saving love reveals itself, where Christ reveals Himself as God the Savior, as God not only ‘with us but for us’.

While men mock andtorture him, while they judge and condemn him, it is actually Jesus who exercises Judgment and saves the humanity.

On the cross he manifests himself as king at the ultimate moment, when he leans toward the earth, to Mary and John, signs of the rising Church and sends them the Holy Spirit. From his death has sprung life, the prince of darkness is routed, as he had announced. The kingdom of God now offers life which no one can take from us.

Through the event of the cross, we are introduced into the kingdom of love and life of Christ. He had promised it: "When I have been brought up from the earth, I will draw all men to myself." Unlike the kings of the earth who dominate by imposing themselves, Christ reigns by attracting, provoking a free and confident answer. Through a yes as tenuous as it is, Christ can realize the unheard, so to the criminal who repents at the death’s door, he can promise eternal life!

At our baptism, Christ not only introduced us in his kingship, but also establishedrelays of his kingdom of love and life.

This presupposes for us a desire to live from his teaching, to let ourselves be rooted in his Gospel. Onlythe Gospel can strengthen our attachment to Jesus and allow us to follow him. But we mustlearn to receive the teaching of Jesus in its totality, without deciding according to our options or conveniences.

Rooted in the Word of God, we will be able to serve His Kingdom of truth and refuse that lies become a means of access to the various powers in our society.

Rooted in the Word, we can serve the Kingdom of peace and deny that violence is the usual remedy to settle conflicts in the world or a means of expression in our society.

Rooted in the Word, we can serve the Kingdom of Life and deny that a human person can be legally killed before his birth or at the end of his life on earth.

By welcoming the Word of God, by giving it a place in our personal prayer, we will place ourselves more and more under the kingship of Christ the Savior and will allow the world to welcome him in his turn.

Christusvincit, Christusregnat, Christ is victor, Christ is king, we love to sing. Yes, His Kingdom is here! Despite appearances, God reigns and saves the world today. Will we have the audacity to announce it?

DIMANCHE DU CHRIST ROI - DIMANCHE DU CHRIST ROI

DOMINGO DE CRISTO REY