Overview

Catholic schools can be educational communities where learning, faith and life meet in ways that are meaningful and powerful for students. The challenge of opening up these Catholic meaning spaces with authenticity lies at the heart of the identity challenge faced by Catholic schools in our time. Sometimes the approach taken in explorations of Catholic identity is to define 'Catholic' by referring to abstract principles or concepts. This book is grounded in contemporary research but explores it through living examples of school life. Painting a contemporary picture of Catholic identity, each chapter focuses on a particular facet of the Catholic school - pastoral care, curriculum, pedagogy, disability, prayer and ecological sustainability. If you are a principal, staff member, parent, parish leader or someone in the community who believes in the potential of Catholic education, this book seeks to explore the religious identity question that is so critical in our schools. If you believe Catholic schools can proclaim the Gospel uniquely and powerfully, this book is for you.

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9780987306036

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Reviews

'It is critical that those who lead Catholic schools do everything possible to understand the religious values and beliefs of their educational communities. Our experience in this Archdiocese is that a school's Catholic identity is significantly enhanced when its leaders gather appropriate data and enact strategies which respond to the real lives of the students and their families. The Leuven research referenced in this book has been translated into terms that will be useful and helpful to Catholic educators around the nation.' Stephen Elder Executive Director of Catholic Education Archdiocese of Melbourne 'Paul Sharkey's Educator's Guide to Catholic Identity raises the right questions about Catholic identity, in the context of our multicultural, pluralist, ecumenical and secular world. Reflecting real experience and good practical theology, it provides clear interpretations of the language, terms and processes involved in enhancing Catholic identity in schools. Sometimes confronting, but realistic and optimistic ... a powerful and practical resource for teachers.' Monsignor Tom Doyle, AO Emeritus Director of Catholic Education Archdiocese of Melbourne 'The Educator's Guide to Catholic Identity will invite, engage and support those who are blessed with the responsibility for creating Catholic identity in their schools, classrooms and students. It has its genesis in South Australian schools where committed teachers explored new forms of religious leadership, for today's context. It will take the reader into the frontier and liminal spaces that are critical for truly relevant Catholic teaching and formation.' Helen O'Brien Director Catholic Education South Australia

'It is critical that those who lead Catholic schools do everything possible to understand the religious values and beliefs of their educational communities. Our experience in this Archdiocese is that a school's Catholic identity is significantly enhanced when its leaders gather appropriate data and enact strategies which respond to the real lives of the students and their families. The Leuven research referenced in this book has been translated into terms that will be useful and helpful to Catholic educators around the nation.' Stephen Elder Executive Director of Catholic Education Archdiocese of Melbourne 'Paul Sharkey's Educator's Guide to Catholic Identity raises the right questions about Catholic identity, in the context of our multicultural, pluralist, ecumenical and secular world. Reflecting real experience and good practical theology, it provides clear interpretations of the language, terms and processes involved in enhancing Catholic identity in schools. Sometimes confronting, but realistic and optimistic ... a powerful and practical resource for teachers.' Monsignor Tom Doyle, AO Emeritus Director of Catholic Education Archdiocese of Melbourne 'The Educator's Guide to Catholic Identity will invite, engage and support those who are blessed with the responsibility for creating Catholic identity in their schools, classrooms and students. It has its genesis in South Australian schools where committed teachers explored new forms of religious leadership, for today's context. It will take the reader into the frontier and liminal spaces that are critical for truly relevant Catholic teaching and formation.' Helen O'Brien Director Catholic Education South Australia

Author Information

Dr Paul Sharkey is the Director of Catholic Identity and Educational Services at the Catholic Education Office, Melbourne. He has recently come to Melbourne from South Australia, where he was State Director of Catholic Education. He is currently a member of the ACARA Board. His PhD was a case study of teacher responses to a religious ethos program in a Catholic school. Paul has also completed postgraduate programs in theology, education, program evaluation and educational leadership and management. Paul is interested in exploring issues of identity and culture in the Catholic sector as they have a profound significance for schools at this time.

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