Feature
Catholic Education in New Zealand
Jenny Gordon
Catholic education’s distinctive identity is rooted in Baptism. Each of us is called to be a light to the world.
The role of Catholic faith education and in particular the Catholic school in our contemporary world can be considered to be twofold. Firstly, it is a centre for evangelisation and catechesis; and secondly, it provides a faith environment for the ongoing formation and encounter with Jesus.
‘Every member of our parish and school faith communities has the wondrous task of bringing Christ’s good news to those whom we are privileged to serve. All the more joyful is this duty when it is our young people with whom we share the love of Jesus and the mission of his Church.’ (NZCBC document.)
Our Catholic education system is held in high regard by the wider community and is supported by dedicated and passionate people. It has been observed that it is the holistic and integrated approach to schooling that engages the whole family and community, which makes the Catholic school so successful. This is certainly true but foundational to our community is our Catholic faith, gospel values and teachings which create a rich Catholic culture, where each person is called to grow in Catholic witness and leadership.
Our faith journey is just that – a life-long journey in which we continue to explore our Catholic faith and grow in the knowledge that we are loved by God and called to love and serve God, to draw on our strengths to bring out the best in one another and to share our heritage and faith with all we meet and to bring God’s light to the world.
These pages feature just some of the many committed agencies whose people work tirelessly to bring Good News to all people in whatever stage of their lives.
Jenny Gordon is Vicar for Education Archdiocese of Wellington.
Br Sir Pat Lynch KNZM
The mid-June Catholic Education Convention attracted 830 individuals from our national network of 238 primary schools and colleges.
The convention’s title – ‘Horizons of Hope’ – was deliberately chosen, since it is forward looking and inspirational. The phrase was coined by Pope Francis and reflects the passage in the Book of Jeremiah: ‘Yes, I know the plans I have for you, plans for peace…a future full of hope’, (Jeremiah 29.11). We are indeed a faith-based business, where faith is our fundamental capital, and where we recognise God is involved in our everyday history. This is the genius we bring to our education enterprise. Our work is focused on the realisation of God’s love and plans for the cosmos of which we are an important part.
2015 is a significant milestone for New Zealand’s Catholic school system. In September we will mark the 14th anniversary of the passage of the Private Schools Conditional Integration Act, which gave rise to our schools becoming State Integrated Schools.
In 1975 most Catholic schools were extremely hard up, so much so that without the integration legislation most of them would simply have had to close. Effectively, integration saved our school system and enabled it to slowly rebuild itself. Today it is robust and admired by our Church community and the wider community of New Zealanders.
Many people have had a significant part to play in rejuvenating and expanding our national school network, so that we are now able to be very proud of it and its achievements.
Some of the pivotal achievements that have transformed our schools are: a collaborative national system that embraces each of the Diocesan Education Offices, their Bishops and other Religious Order-based proprietors in each diocese; a pooling of resources in the capital works areas; a nationally organised and monitored review and development system that oversees the Catholic character of each school; professional development opportunities for teachers, principals and school trustees – and the list goes on. Today Catholic schools punch above their weight, particularly with their results in the National Certificate in Education Achievement (NCEA).
This happy state of affairs is predicated on the good work done in our primary schools. As a result of this public evidence, the reputation of our schools is high with the New Zealand community and of course with Government. Fundamentally, our commitment to excellence in all that we do is a tribute to our trustees, principals, teachers and support staff. Of course, we cannot omit mentioning the leadership of our bishops, proprietors and all their staff in this regard.
Collectively we have established a strong Catholic education brand. A brand is a school’s promise on what it will deliver. In order to sustain and strengthen the brand these characteristics need to be kept in focus – reliability, dependability, predictability, consistency, authenticity and uniqueness.
We have all heard about the need for ramping-up our energies in the area of evangelisation. Pope Francis has given it new meaning by saying, the Gospel is never focused on our own community, exclusively. Effectively it is globalised as we seek to make known God’s love to everyone. We are the same brothers and sisters of the same Father, regardless of any other reality.
As we look forward, trustees, principals and teachers will need to reflect on Francis’ rather salient message about the need to focus more on the person of Jesus as the basis of our Faith. This is clearly important in building up the faith commitment of our young people.
The positive aspects of globalisation always need to be actively mined in order to extract the best innovative ideas and practices available worldwide. The technology revolution will continue to deliver extraordinary resources in religious education, liturgy, prayer and other aspects of special character. Those running our schools need always to be on the lookout for the good ideas from Catholic and other educators, wherever these are found in the world.
I am very confident we have a bright future in front of us, which is invigorated by the lively active faith that immigrant New Zealanders are bringing to our parish and school communities.
Catholic education fundamentally focuses on the fact that all humans are part of God’s family – we are the adopted daughters and sons of God. What an incredible revelation that is!
Br Sir Pat Lynch KNZM is Chief Executive Officer, New Zealand Catholic Education Office.
NZ Catholic Education Office and Microsoft launched an online education network at the recent Catholic educ
ation convention. The network will increase the digital literacy of the whole Catholic school community. The project, three years in the making, will allow teachers, principals, boards, diocesan offices and others the capability of collaborating and sharing our special character resources, such as liturgy, prayers and other religious education information on line. Those connected to the network will be able to collaborate online in new ways. Microsoft is working with the NZCEO to train teachers and schools to help them get the most out of the network.
NCRS – providing tools for teachers
Dr Chris Duthie-Jung
In 1976, Fr Ezio Blasoni SM received a letter of commission from the NZ Catholic Bishops Conference to begin producing resource materials to support Catholic education on a national basis.
Subsequently, Fr Ezio, who was based in Sacred Heart Parish Hastings, surveyed school and CCD religious education teachers around the country. With the aim of producing a statement of essential Catholic teaching in faith and morals, he then set about devising a National Religious Education Syllabus. In a nutshell, this is what the National Centre for Religious Studies (NCRS) continues to do today.
NCRS is now one of the three organisations, along with the Tertiary Education provider (PTE) and the Nathaniel Centre, which forms the Catholic Institute of Aotearoa New Zealand. NCRS works with teachers and principals from all over New Zealand to continue developing the RE curriculum delivered in our 190 Catholic primary and 48 Catholic secondary schools.
Current staff includes myself as Director; Anne Kennedy, Associate Director; and Melania Luka-Lui, Office Administrator. Two websites support the online provision of the curriculum for RE teachers, www.FaithAlive.org.nz (Years 1‒8) and www.FaithCentral.org.nz (Years 9‒13).
NCRS has warmly welcomed the Bishops’ statement on The Catholic Education for School-Age Children as it clearly outlines the intent of all of our efforts to form new generations of Catholics. Challenges ahead include addressing the need for a revitalised approach to Catholic education for the significant number of our children and young people who are not in Catholic schools.
As with RE curriculum development in our schools, this project will examine and draw on the local Catholic communities of New Zealand, and overseas, to identify what is emerging as the most promising ways forward. We are going to need adults – young and old – to assist as parish-based teachers.
Knowing your faith through living it is a great start but spending a little time studying it at greater depth is also vital in order to do the role justice. Now is the time for anyone interested in collaborating in this crucial ministry to consider a paper or two to get geared up!
See www.tci.ac.nz/ncrs for more information about NCRS.
Dr Chris Duthie-Jung is Head of Partnerships and Director of NCRS.
Catholic Education of School Age Children
Maureen Phillips
Eighteen months ago the New Zealand Catholic Bishops Conference produced a document that highlighted the more significant challenges faced by Catholic school. More importantly it gave a vision for Catholic education. Response to the document was extensive and varied.
In most dioceses, professional development opportunities were offered by local Catholic Education offices. This initial level of engagement with the document prompted considerable self-review as schools considered both their areas of success and areas for development that would see their school a place where students experienced ‘a meaningful encounter with the person of Jesus Christ’.
The many stakeholders involved in Catholic children’s education were also also challenged to consider how they could best respond to the document. It became evident that the document was the ‘start point’ for considering paths forward, whether in the areas of religious education, professional development, liturgical celebrations, retreats or other.
The Bishops’ introductory letter within the document reminds us ‘Pope Francis has been calling us to imagine with freshness who we are as God’s people. Every generation of Christians seeks understanding and clarity about our nature and purpose as disciples of Jesus. For we adults this is particularly important if we are to contribute effectively to the sacred duty to pass on or faith to the next generation. (Dei Verbum 7,8). In his first homily as Pope, Francis said: “we can walk (and talk) as much as we like, we can build many things, but if we do not profess Jesus Christ … we are not the Church … everything is swept away.”
‘This resource puts the encounter with Jesus at the centre of Catholic education … It is our expectation it become an indispensable reference point for all Trust Boards, Boards of
Trustees, school and diocesan staff as well as parish-based educators in faith and parish councils. It is a robust document which does not shy from highlighting challenges for us all … as together we strive to shape every family and every educational institute into disciples of a single teacher, Jesus the Lord and Saviour of our Word!’
The idea of ‘imagining with freshness’ speaks of exciting new beginnings. We in Catholic education have the privilege of being a part of that as we continue to engage with bringing the Bishops’ vision to life.
About the Catholic Enquiry Centre
The Catholic Enquiry Centre (CEC), like The Catholic Institute (TCI), is an agency of the Bishops Conference. Each exists to sow the Gospel but in different ways. TCI is an educational institute offering tertiary-study courses in the Catholic Faith whereas CEC responds to immediate pastoral needs of people who have made contact.
CEC in New Zealand was established to promote the Catholic Faith to New Zealanders. CEC has been based in Wellington since 1961 as an agency of the Catholic Bishops Conference NZ. It is supported spiritually and financially by Catholics throughout the country.
CEC in New Zealand was inspired by the original Catholic Enquiry Centre started in London in 1954 by priests of the Catholic Missionary Society. In 1957, Society priests
Frs Dwyer and Holland preached a series of retreats and parish missions in New Zealand. They also spoke to our Bishops about the work of their Centre in England. The Bishops announced their decision to establish a Catholic Enquiry Centre in New Zealand on the feast of the Holy Cross, 1960, at Holy Cross College. Frs Maurice Ryan and Brian Ashby were appointed to lead the new venture and CEC NZ began its work here in February 1961.
Current Director Fr Allan Jones SM was appointed by the Bishops Conference in 2006. With the assistance of three office and financial staff members and a group of volunteers, Fr Allan responds to enquirers who contact CEC by phone, email, or the internet ‘Ask a question’. ‘I also decide – with the Bishops’ approval – on Catholic material content and design we send by post and email to enquirers. And along with my team I manage the website and our television and internet advertising. We are governed by a Board appointed by Bishops Conference.’
The focus of CEC information is to non-Catholics, lapsed Catholics and New Zealanders without religious affiliation. However, research shows almost half of enquirers identify as ‘Catholic’. Some of their questions are: What is the difference between divorce and annulment?; Why can’t Catholics receive Communion in non-Catholic services?; and Why is same-sex marriage against Catholic teaching?
Research shows other enquirers as 31 per cent ‘other Christian’, and 25 per cent ‘other religion’ or no reli
gion. Ethnically, 64 per cent identify as Pakeha, 13 per cent Te Iwi Māori, 15 per cent Pacifican, 14 per cent Asian and 18 per cent ‘other’. By age-group, 80 per cent are between 15 and 39 years. ‘The implications of this information is ongoing for the Board and our planning,’
The Centre provides a ‘first response’ to enquirers. Those requesting the 10 free booklets What Catholics Believe – an introduction to the Catholic Faith, are potential RCIA catechumens and candidates. The booklets (and e-books) are sent out in three postings, with comments and evaluation pages. ‘Enquirers like the ‘drip-feed’ approach and we encourage feedback for follow-up,’ says Fr Allan. ‘The evaluation page offers the enquirer help with contacting the local parish if he or she wants to, and if invited to, I will contact the enquirer direct.’ CEC is familiar to and supported by middle-aged and older Catholics and clergy. ‘When I visit the parishes and deaneries, people are very positive about our work; and we work hard to engage the next generation of Catholics and clergy – the future supporters of CEC.’
Advertisements attract between 20–40 enquiries a week, mostly for CEC’s booklets or to talk to a priest. ‘Every day I have emails, questions from the internet and phone calls to respond to,’ says Fr Allan. ‘Most people request the free booklets on the Catholic Faith and the Catholic understanding of marriage. Parishes also order and purchase CEC’s booklet on Baptism.
‘People seek information and advice about marriage situations, moral issues, Catholic teachings, Bible questions, going to Confession, how to pray etc. I support people by being available to talk to them, by connecting them to people who have the skills to help them and by putting them in touch with the diocesan and parish agencies that will address their pastoral needs. Some also come to CEC for spiritual direction, Mass and the Sacrament of Penance.
‘We reach out to Catholics in terms of supporting adult-faith growth or to people interested in Catholicism by making parish visits, attending Catholic events, advertising CEC’s website among parishes, working with CEC’s diocesan liaison people, encouraging parish clergy to promote CEC, doing interviews and writing columns for Catholic publications and other ways to keep our Centre profiled and engaged with the Catholic community.’
Father Allan appreciates the effort that it takes to get in touch and will answer enquirers’ questions as quickly as possible. Rest assured that Father Allan will respect privacy. Call freephone 0800 FATHER (0800 328 437). Visit www.catholicenquiry.org.nz to order the Catholic Enquiry Centre’s set of 10 instruction booklets What Catholics Believe – An Introduction to the Catholic Faith.
Growth – the opposite of stagnation
Nick Wilson
There are 121 Marist priests in New Zealand and 85 of them are over 65. This was the news from the Marist Provincial to the Manawatu this week (July 2015). Things are changing in the Church! Traditionally, the abundant numbers of clergy have been the educated ones in Scripture and Theology and so forth. But since Vatican II, we have a new ‘spin’ on how laity are involved in the Church. There is a responsibility we each have for full and active participation in our Church community.
Our participation in the life of the Church starts with having a good grounding in the symbolism, action and meaning of how we worship in our Catholic Christian tradition. This is not to be confused, as it often is, with how entertained one feels at Mass. Fortunately, there are many who dare to embrace the very counter-cultural call to follow the Gospel, the summation of the our collective formation is not held solely in the First Reconciliation and First Communion sessions we had as 7- and 8-year-olds in our local Catholic schools!
This, more accurately, can be denoted as the starting point as which we as children, have a cognitive recognition of the grace inherently held in the sacramental life of the Church. And this is just the beginning! Not even Pope Francis himself can say he has arrived at a place of full knowing of God; and that is why as an 80-year-old man he still lives his life as journey – passionately convicted of the power of the Cross.
Many say Pope Francis is an inspiration. But these sentiments could evaporate into nothingness if we are not then inspired to seek God and live the Gospel in ways that uphold justice, alleviate suffering and promote love ourselves. Are we individually and as a faith community fully informed and growing our knowledge in how to do this in a Catholic way?
Once, in a Catholic boarding house, I invited the Mormons into our home. The residents grumbled, ‘What are they doing here? We’re Catholic!’ I asked them to discuss their faith with these chaps – who were obviously well schooled as missionaries of the Mormon Church – and the residents fell silent.
It is one thing to identify as Catholic, but I contend it is quite another to be Catholic. ‘Information, Formation and Transformation’ is the The Catholic Institute (TCI) mission – to grow the understanding of faith of the Catholic faithful. Mandated by the New Zealand Bishops Conference, the sole mission of TCI is to teach the different disciplines within our faith so we can grow in knowledge and understanding of the lives we are living.
And how many of us have an indepth understanding of the normative process of the RCIA? ‘Introduced in 1972 and presented in final form in 1986, the Church’s Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) is now the norm for all who desire to become Catholic’ (4, National Policy for RICA).
To ignore opportunities for growing and deepening an understanding of faith is to essentially remain as an infant in faith development. God desires more from us than that! Things are altering in the Church – as they always have over its 2000-year history. Today, we have access to life transforming stuff.
What barriers keep us from learning more? What similarities might we have like the rich young man who in theory wants everything but can’t decide to truly follow Jesus? What holds us back from Jesus’ invitation ‘to come follow me and have life to the full?’ Things are changing rapidly in the Church in New Zealand.
Therefore we need bold, courageous and learned men and women to step up in our ecclesial communities to continue the mission of the Church and we can only do this when we confidently know about it.
Nick Wilson is the TCI and Adult Education Coordinator Diocese of Palmerston North.
Professor Anne Touhy
The Catholic Institute (TCI) provides tertiary-level, nationally-registered qualifications and adult education for teachers, chaplains, people working in pastoral ministry and for Catholics desiring to know more about their faith. TCI is distinctive in the range of qualifications on offer and its nationwide delivery – through face-to-face classes and distance education – in its commitment to meet Catholic pastoral and educational needs. TCI graduates are in schools, parishes, diocesan offices, in general employment and working with young people and vulnerable communities.
With a small, but highly-qualified team of lecturers and tutors, TCI delivers nationally-accredited certificate and diploma programmes in Pastoral Ministry, Religious Education, Theology and Leadership in a
ll six New Zealand Catholic dioceses. We also offer specialised qualifications to those who are called to work in youth ministry, with the sick, the elderly and prisoners.
Some students enrol in qualifications with TCI not because they wish to exercise ministry roles within the Church, but to understand their faith better, and so contribute to the transformation of society by bringing Christian values into the social, political and economic sectors.
As Pope Francis states, ‘Lay people are, put simply, the vast majority of the people of God … There has been a growing awareness of the identity and mission of the laity in the Church. We can count on many lay persons, although still not nearly enough, who have a deeply-rooted sense of community and great fidelity to the tasks of charity, catechesis and the celebration of the faith. … Even if many are now involved in the lay ministries, this involvement is not reflected in a greater penetration of Christian values in the social, political and economic sectors. It often remains tied to tasks within the Church, without a real commitment to applying the Gospel to the transformation of society. The formation of the laity and the evangelisation of professional and intellectual life represent a significant pastoral challenge (Evangelii Gaudium).
So, through knowledge, voice and conscience TCI seeks to demonstrate a commitment to human dignity, mutual respect, and the pursuit of truth and service to Church and society. TCI makes every effort to be relevant to contemporary concerns; provide an institutional witness to the person of Christ and his message; and foster effective partnerships that strengthen research, teaching and community engagement.
Visit www.tci.ac.nz for more information.
Professor Anne Tuohy is Director TCI.