Modelling Ministry on Christ
Delve into the unique Masters program discussing the challenges and opportunities related to Modelling Ministry on Christ. Explore the principles and practices of Catholic school leadership, emphasizing spiritual and theological foundations. Through modules and dissertation work, participants learn to articulate a vision for excellence within the Catholic school community. Ideal for educators engaged in Catholic education, this program offers exemptions and bursaries for eligible candidates.
Download Presentation

Please find below an Image/Link to download the presentation.
The content on the website is provided AS IS for your information and personal use only. It may not be sold, licensed, or shared on other websites without obtaining consent from the author.If you encounter any issues during the download, it is possible that the publisher has removed the file from their server.
You are allowed to download the files provided on this website for personal or commercial use, subject to the condition that they are used lawfully. All files are the property of their respective owners.
The content on the website is provided AS IS for your information and personal use only. It may not be sold, licensed, or shared on other websites without obtaining consent from the author.
E N D
Presentation Transcript
Modelling Ministry on Christ Masters in Catholic School Leadership Distinctive Leadership for Distinctive Schools Modelling Ministry on Christ 29/8/19
AIMS: Outline the Masters programme Disseminate recent research re Modelling Ministry on Christ and the opportunities and challenges which exist in relation to this. Going forward: how can we model ministry on Christ in our own school? Modelling Ministry on Christ 29/8/19
Catholic school Leadership: Principles and Practice Consists of 4 modules ( 2 modules per year) and a dissertation (1 year). 4 Saturday schools per year 1 Catholic Education 2 Leadership and Management of the Catholic School 3 Spiritual and Theological Foundations 4 Leadership for learning Each module consists of a 4,000 word assignment (80%) and participation in an online forum (20%) Yr 3_ Research methods and dissertation (15,000 words) Modelling Ministry on Christ MA in Catholic School Leadership 29/8/19
Online forum and questions form the basis for assignments and this in turn can form the basis of your dissertation. The MA aims to ensure you are able to articulate a vision for excellence within the distinctive learning community of the Catholic school or college. It helps develops theological literacy and raises awareness of the vast number of Vatican documents which have been written about Catholic leadership and the rationale for Catholic education. Excellent teaching and availability of online resources. Perfect for anyone involved in Catholic education .class teachers co-ordinators- principals Modelling Ministry on Christ 29/8/19
1 year certificate 2 years diploma 3 years Masters Exemptions from some modules(and reduced fees) if you have already completed PQH / other specified courses. A small bursary is available this year for each candidate. Modelling Ministry on Christ 29/8/19
Teaching Teaching has has an an extraordinary extraordinary moral moral depth depth and and is is one one of of man's man's most most excellent excellent and and creative creative activities, activities, for for the the teacher teacher does does not not write write on on inanimate inanimate material, material, but but on on the the very very spirits spirits of of human human beings beings. . (Congregation for Catholic Education 1997 n.19) Modelling Ministry on Christ 29/8/19
Jesus is the foundation of the whole educational enterprise. CCE 1977:34 Archbishop Eamon Martin (2017) refers to the Intentional Catholic school as one which is proud to proclaim, nurture and celebrate its distinctive ethos based on Gospel values and inspired by Christ. These values will be threaded through key policies eg SEN / discipline / attendance. The distinguishing mark of the Catholic school is the fact that the values which underpin the community will explicitly arise from the teaching of Jesus. (Fincham, Murphy) Modelling Ministry on Christ 29/8/19
The following slides cite an example of recent research focused on modelling ministry on Christ: Modelling Ministry on Christ 29/8/19
Spiritual Development in a Catholic Primary School Opportunities and Challenges Purpose: To explore the extent to which spiritual development is a lived reality in a Catholic Primary School. Modelling Ministry on Christ 29/8/19
Also addresses the contributory factors of: Parents as primary educator in the ways of faith Servant leadership as a model of spiritual leadership within the Catholic school sacramental perspective and collegiality Modelling Ministry on Christ 29/8/19
RATIONALE I had taught in a Catholic primary school for many years, and felt that increasingly there was a lack of engagement from parents in the religious formation of their children, therefore the school had to become increasingly involved. This is both an opportunity and a challenge. Modelling Ministry on Christ 29/8/19
CONTEXT The research took place in a Catholic co-ed primary school in Northern Ireland. 100% of the teaching staff are Catholic. Approximately 25 30% of the pupils from year 4-7 regularly attend weekend masses. Modelling Ministry on Christ 29/8/19
METHODOLOGY Literature review of key texts relating to spiritual /servant leadership, spirituality and the place of parents as first educators in the way of faith. Interviews with 3 Catholic primary school principals re their leadership priorities and their commitment to developing the spiritual life of the school. (principals came from a variety of backgrounds re demographics, length of time in principal role and size of school) Questionnaire for(88) parents in the case-study school to seek out their reasons for sending their children to a Catholic school. Analysis, conclusions and recommendations from the research. Modelling Ministry on Christ 29/8/19
LITERATURE REVIEW- KEY FINDINGS Numerous Vatican documents about Catholic school and Catholic leadership Christ is the centre of the whole educational enterprise and the values which underpin the community will explicitly rise from the teachings of Jesus . The principal is the spiritual leader of the school (vocation, not just career) There needs to be solidarity around the mission ie. Mission integrity - everyone using their talents to work towards fulfilling the mission statement. Modelling Ministry on Christ 29/8/19
WITNESS in word and action is VITAL and should be demonstrated by all staff - MODEL DISCIPLESHIP be living logos . Prime responsibility for creating this unique Christian climate rests with the teachers as individuals and as a community (CCE 1988:26) Staff need continuous spiritual development equal to their professional training they need to have knowledge of the deposit of, in this case, the Catholic faith . An explicit Christian ethos does not happen by chance .to establish an environment in which spiritual development can flourish depends on it being prioritised at all levels, including governance and management (Casson et al 2017:89) Modelling Ministry on Christ 29/8/19
RESULTS FROM INTERVIEWS WITH PRINCIPALS - OPPORTUNITIES Good BoG to hire staff. Health and well-being of staff. Great opportunities to build relationships with like-minded people to achieve our goals - parents, staff and community members alike. Modelling Ministry on Christ 29/8/19
RESULTS CONTEMPORARY CHALLENGES Fewer families celebrating and nurturing their faith at home. Pressures of stress on staff who are becoming increasingly more responsible for the nurture and emotional well-being of children. Greater numbers of children coming into school with significant individual / social needs. Increasingly difficult to manage in classroom environment. Increasing bureaucracy and dwindling budgets. Industrial action. Challenge to ensure that the school s ethos, mission and values remain a priority and do not slip into the background. Modelling Ministry on Christ 29/8/19
RESULTS SPIRITUAL LEADERSHIP All principals mentioned their strong personal faith and all took responsibility for their spiritual development through parish related courses. Elements of Servant Leadership and Invitational Leadership were discernible eg a desire to empower others, a willingness to work collaboratively with staff and BoG, leading a nurture group etc Modelling Ministry on Christ 29/8/19
All said their strong Catholic faith helped to direct them in their role as principal and in their interactions with others. The pupils were well supported in their spiritual development. There can be a leadership challenge in building spiritual capital around the school mission as sometimes this is viewed by (non teaching) staff as a invasionof their rights . Not all of the principals seemed to be aware of the importance of providing continuous faith development opportunities for staff in the same way that they provide continuous professional development opportunities. Modelling Ministry on Christ 29/8/19
RESULTS LITURGY Provides spiritual capital for children because from their lived experience in school they have a residue of faith. (Casson). Builds community of believers All principals were aware of the sacramental vision and stressed that liturgy was a very important aspect of the spiritual life of their schools daily prayer, assemblies, Adoration, attendance at Mass, confessions, nativity plays, passion plays, retreats for pupils and staff etc (INTENTIONAL CATHOLIC SCHL) All principals noted the importance of developing links with parents and inviting them to liturgical events throughout the year. Modelling Ministry on Christ 29/8/19
PARENT QUESTIONNAIRE ON WHY THEY SENT THEIR CHILD TO A CATHOLIC SCHOOL SA= STRONGLY AGREE A= AGREE D=DISAGREE DA= STRONGLY DISAGREE 1. Quality of education 98% S.A. 2% A There were four statements specifically about spiritual development 2. Learning about the Catholic faith 60% S.A. 36% A 4% S.D 3.Preparing my child for the sacraments 72% S.A. 22% A 6% D 4.Opportunities for their child to develop 50% S.A. 44% A 4% D 2% S.D. spiritually (Mass / Adoration etc) 5. importance of the school providing the 62% S.A. 38% A Parents with opportunities to support their Child s spiritual dev. eg assemblies Modelling Ministry on Christ 29/8/19
OBSERVATIONS Do parents view reception of the sacraments as a rite of passage / family tradition (entitlement) or as milestones along life s spiritual journey? Are they expressing their Catholicity by sending their children to a Catholic school? Mismatch between 94% of parents wanting their child taught about the Catholic faith and 25 -30% who attend weekend masses. Parents depend heavily on the school to provide religious instruction for their children and show a possible willingness to re-engage in becoming the primary educators in the ways of faith. Modelling Ministry on Christ 29/8/19
Archbishop E. Martin hypothesis: Perhaps we have come to rely too much on the Catholic school to be the driver in this process rather than building links between family /parish / school. (Oct 2017) Modelling Ministry on Christ 29/8/19
RECOMMENDATIONS Staff INSET related to Catholic education: mission statement is the foundation stone, this needs to be shared with staff, especially new staff, so that they can build spiritual capital and create solidarity around the mission . teachers can never be neutral in support of the mission of the Catholic school school they either help to build it or they work against it . ( they either help to build it or they work against it . (Lydon 2017:6.2) 2017:6.2) teachers can never be neutral in support of the mission of the Catholic Lydon Principal retreat days and whole school reflection days: all too frequently, lay Catholics have not had a religious formation that is equal to their general, cultural, and, most especially, professional formation Modelling Ministry on Christ 29/8/19
Creation of a dedicated prayer space within the school symbols alone do not make a school Catholic. Increased parental involvement Modelling Ministry on Christ 29/8/19
Christ has no body but yours, Christ has no body but yours, No hands, no feet on earth but yours, No hands, no feet on earth but yours, Yours are the eyes with which he looks Yours are the eyes with which he looks Compassion on this world, Compassion on this world, Yours are the feet with which he walks to do good, Yours are the feet with which he walks to do good, Yours are the hands, with which he blesses all the world. Yours are the hands, with which he blesses all the world. Yours are the hands, yours are the feet, Yours are the hands, yours are the feet, Yours are the eyes, you are his body. Yours are the eyes, you are his body. Christ has no body now but yours. Christ has no body now but yours. Teresa of vila. Modelling Ministry on Christ 29/8/19
Modelling Ministry on Christ If Christ is the foundation of the whole educational enterprise Where is my school on the continuum? Ideas for going forward discuss What can I realistically implement / suggest for my school for the incoming year? Modelling Ministry on Christ 29/8/19