36. The Soul
The second half of Term 4 has arrived and Advent is just around the corner. A vaccine for COVID-19 appears closer to realization while we remain vigilant in our communities to help stop the spread of the virus. Meanwhile in The Soul this week we conclude our short series looking at the importance of a Catholic worldview in pastoral and leadership aspects of the Catholic school. Have a great week.
Cultures often have views about how people ‘see’ and ‘care’ for ‘the other’. A Jewish writer may begin with ‘Shalom’ (‘Peace upon you’) or a Muslim correspondent may end in ‘Inshallah’ (‘God willing’). A letter from a Bishop, Parish Priest or Minister often ends in ‘Yours in Christ’ or ‘God Bless’ in the way a Christian addresses the recipient.
Last week we considered that a Catholic worldview ‘permeates’ Christ in all the ways we ‘see’ others. It is a ‘compassionate gaze which heals, liberates and encourages growth in the Christian life’ (Evangelii Gaudium, (EG) 169). It permeates all activity, graced by the Holy Spirit.
The term ‘pastoral care’ emerges from a biblical worldview regarding Gospel teaching, regarding leading the flock to greener grass, searching for the lost sheep, and shepherding the straggling sheep away from thieves and wolves. A Catholic worldview of pastoral care sees the Holy Spirit working in our staff to liberate captives, address the poor in spirit, care for those on the margins, and enable all students to build a relationship with God.
The new General Directory of Catechesis touches on this- ‘Many children and teenagers are deeply affected by the fragility of their families, even though they are in situations of financial prosperity…These children, who for different reasons suffer from the lack of sure points of reference for life, often have less of a chance to know and love God as well’ (n. 238). In addition, Pope Francis recognises that many of the ‘flock’ that we teach (the new poor) now live under the duress of digital isolation, domestic violence, social exclusion, self-harm and bullying. In this, a Catholic Worldview for Pastoral Care must consider explicit Catholic practices: mercy, compassion, justice, forgiveness and a profound love of students. As such we must ‘smell of the sheep’. Leaders of pastoral care in a Catholic School must have well-being, restorative justice, social inclusion and the ‘art of accompaniment’ in their ‘bones’.
In addition, the digital and social worlds in which students now live, each with degrees of light and darkness, and the situations of many fragile families can see many ‘wolves at the door’ for young people. As such, pastorally caring teachers (which means all teachers in a Catholic setting) have a vocation that goes beyond just the teaching component to value, respect and love. “Today more than ever we need men and women who, on the basis of their experience of accompanying others, are familiar with processes which call for prudence, understanding, patience and docility to the Spirit, so that they can protect the sheep from wolves who would scatter the flock. We need to practice the art of listening, which is more than simply hearing… listening helps us to find the right gesture and word which shows that we are more than simply bystanders (EG, 171).
As Pope Francis concludes, such pastoral and spiritual accompaniment is more than ‘a badge we can take on and off’. It is a duty under the ‘lens’ of Jesus Christ in each school day, every day.
Gary Reen
Assistant Director, SEACS
- Rend Collective’s You Are My Vision is a modern version of the original Celtic Hymn written over 1500 years ago as a translation of St Patrick’s declaration of who God truly is.
- When seeking wisdom and guidance, we turn to Jesus’ prayer to our heavenly Father at Gethsemane, “...if this cannot pass unless I drink it, Your Will Be Done.”
- This sacred version of Natalie Grant’s My Weapon helps lead us into reflection around God’s daily presence in our life.
This year has seen uncharted landscapes such as working from home, homeschooling, disrupted employment, isolation from family and reduced opportunities for social connection in the community. Changes such as these come with challenges.
Free and confidential counselling is available through AccessEAP - an organisation designed to create thriving workplaces that promote, recognise and effectively manage the mental health of every employee.
Freecall - 1800 81 87 28 or visit the website Access EAP.
- Advent Pilgrimage - Journey through Salvation History from Adam to Jesus as we prepare our way to Bethlehem, November 29 - December 25, 2020.
- Caritas have released their school Advent resources for 2020:
These are also available on the Caritas website: www.caritas.org.au/schools
- Wouldn't it be nice if we could listen to a speaker, read a book or take a course and suddenly find ourselves overcome with a powerful sense of super-charged motivation and drive? Why does it often seem so hard to do the things we feel we 'should' do? In this episode of his podcast series, Jonathon Doyle helps us uncover the real reason that we might be struggling with motivation and what we can do to change it.
Click the image above to submit your prayer intentions. Each week the prayer intentions are passed onto the Carmelite Sister's at the Carmelite Convent in Goonellabah.
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Proclaim Lismore Staff
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