Catholic Schools Week 2013 :

‘‘Catholic Schools

in the

 Community of Faith

– Sharing the Good News’’

The Muckno Parish Pastoral Team invited members of the Boards of Management of the six primary schools in the parish to a facilitated discussion on the place of a Catholic Primary School in the wider community of faith and its function in sharing the good news. This gathering took place on Thursday 31^st January at 7.30pm in The Castle Suite, Glencarn Hotel, Castleblayney.

There was a very positive response with all of the school boards well represented. Some of the points arising from the group discussion were as follows:

While school leadership tries to see and recognize God in every person who comes through the door this sometimes presents a challenge because a number of those who enter may be considered by the Church to be at variance with Rome; e.g those living in second or subsequent relationships.

There was recognition of the struggle by our schools to keep the sacramental traditions alive but it was agreed that prayer and the sacramentals (holy water, etc.) are important and useful in the faith experience of children.

For many, school is their primary experience of community and given the volume of dramatic change being experienced in Ireland in family, Church and society our schools are doing a very good job in spreading the Good news. The Good News is lived out in the school community through the gospel principles of tolerance, respect, goodness and love and is most evident when all sections of the community; children, teachers and staff, parents and the board of management are working in harmony.

Children are often frustrated and confused because home does not support what is happening in school and for those parents who do engage with the work of the school in faith formation many of them regard bringing their children as far as confirmation as the completion of their task. Too often what is being offered in school, especially in sacramental practice, is not spreading or happening beyond the school experience. It was acknowledged that faith formation for today’s children is in competition with many other influences.

While the parents in this discussion are interested and committed, many of the parents of today’s children are disappointed in their experience of Church because of the scandals and the crisis in leadership.

Church personnel (bishops, priests, etc.) need to be an active and visible presence for the pupils in our school.

Copies of Share the Good News (National Directory for Catechesis in Ireland) were provided for the schools and the evening concluded with all sharing some food and further lively conversation.