The reflective Catholic school is a place that holds on to the very core of it’s indentity as truly missionary community.
But this raises a question. Should a Catholic school be self-critical? What are the benchmarks that define how effective a Catholic school is in pursuing its mission? In this episode it’s time to explore the critical markers that allow for useful and transformative reflection. A great Catholic school needs to be a place where everyone is constantly reflecting upon why we do what we do and how effectively we are doing it.
The Reflective Catholic School
The busyness of a Catholic school often makes it difficult to make the time for deep reflection upon what matters most. The hectic pace of each day can make it hard for teachers and leaders to step back and ask themselves how the effective the school has been at pursuing the most central aspects of it’s reason for existence.
Jesus never asked anyone to establish schools but he did tell his followers to make disciples. At the end of the day what matters most in a Catholic school is that we are helping young people develop their intimacy with Jesus Christ. All else is utlimately secondary.
According to the Church document entitled The Catholic School it is crucial that we spend some time on a regualr basis doing the hard work of self-reflection and even self-criticism that can help us stay in touch with our deepest mission. The documents state:
“..the Catholic school demands constant self-criticism and return to basic principles, to the motives which inspire the Church’s involvement in education.”
Let us pray for the grace to constantly keep returning to the core of the Christocentric faith that animates our work.
Author
Jonathan Doyle
Jonathan Doyle
Jonathan Doyle is a global Catholic speaker, author, executive coach and consultant. He has spoken around the world to more than 400,000 people on topics related to Catholic education, leadership and mission.
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