Jesus Christ - The First Mark of the Catholic School

At the centre of the Foundational Values in the Diocesan Framework, is Jesus. An encounter, understanding of, and friendship with the person of Jesus Christ is central to our Mission. As Christians, we believe that the person of Jesus Christ is the fundamental revelation of who God is for humankind. Jesus Christ reveals the mind and heart of God and this has implications for how we are to live and act.

In Five Essential Marks of a Catholic School Michael Miller states “The Catholic school is committed thus to the development of the whole person, since in Christ the perfect human, all human values find their fulfilment and unity. Herein lies the specifically Catholic character of the school… The gospel of Jesus Christ and his very person inspire and guide the Catholic school in every dimension of its life and activity… as Christ is the Teacher in Catholic schools”.

Miller goes on “A Catholic school, therefore, cannot be a factory for the learning of various skills and competencies designed to fill the echelons of business and industry. Nor is it for ‘clients’ and ‘consumers’ in a competitive marketplace that values only academic achievement. Education is not a commodity, even if Catholic schools equip their graduates with enviable skills. Rather, the Catholic school sets out to be a school for the human person and of human persons." In this, Jesus is ‘the Teacher’, model and truth in how every Catholic school should plan for and educate its young people. As well, to teach in a Catholic school, is to imitate Him within a committed vocational way; this calling extends beyond a regular job.

So as schools navigate their Mission planning, remember we have the greatest model in our Lord to accompany us.

Gary Reen

Assistant Director, School Evangelisation and Catechetical Services