Sunday april 2, 2017
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What’s at the heart of a Catholic school? Educators, students discuss this at a recent education conference
No. 07
Inside home
Communion ministers learn about their role At special day of recollection
By Jared Ng What sets Catholic schools apart from their secular counterparts? It’s the “Christian motive”, said Archbishop William Goh. Catholic school educators serve “because we want to reveal Jesus to students, to give them a higher vision of life”. Catholic educators “must offer nothing less than Jesus Christ to students”, he said. Archbishop Goh made these remarks during the March 13 Catholic Education Conference, which had the theme, Heart of a Catholic School. The conference aimed to highlight the values of a Catholic education and affirm its relevance for the present and future. About 600 participants, comprising principals, teachers, school staff, parents and current and former students, attended the conference held at CHIJ Secondary. The event, held every two years, was organised by the Archdiocesan Commission for Catholic Schools (ACCS). All 35 Catholic institutions from primary school to junior college level were represented as well as five kindergartens. In his speech during the full-day conference, Archbishop Goh noted that there is the ever present worry that students who are too involved with their faith end up neglecting their studies. However, the opposite is true. “Students who have a motivation for God, a fullness of life, service and purpose, will be the ones scoring top grades,” he said. “These students are motivated by the right reasons. Not motivated by money or material pleasures but by God.” During the morning segment, a video showing educators and students sharing what a Catholic education means to them was screened. It set the tone for the
Vol 67
n Page 4
Finding God in suffering Focolare members share their stories n Page 10
LENTEN FEATURE Parishes’ Lenten projects A look at some of their activities n Page 12
Archbishop William Goh joins students in their breakout session during the Catholic Education Conference.
a community ‘Having that is warm and accepting can really empower a student. Knowing that you’re not alone in your faith journey in school can go a long way.
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– Toh Si En, a Catholic Junior College student
Participants at the conference held at CHIJ Secondary.
first breakout session which saw participants discussing the topic. Participants were placed into five groups: sponsoring bodies, school leaders, teachers and staff, parents and alumni, and students above Pri 5. The panel discussion that followed saw five people – each from a group – share what was
discussed in their breakout track. Ms Serene Sim, a parent, noted that the pressure on students today to focus solely on academic excellence rather than a “Catholic” education could negatively affect their personal growth. “Students today are spending 10 to 11 hours in school … therefore the environment created in class is
really important,” said Ms Sim. Toh Si En, a Catholic Junior College student, shared that the key takeaway from the students’ group was the importance of a supportive school community. “Having a community that is warm and accepting can really empower a student,” she said. “Knowing that you’re not alone in your faith journey in school can go a long way.” n Continued on Page 2
OUR PARISHES
Blessed Sacrament Church: Aiding the poor, reaching out to youth n Page 14
ASIA
Dealing with ‘fake news’ Catholic journalists discuss issue n Page 16
POPE FRANCIS 1994 Rwanda genocide
Pope asks forgiveness for Catholics’ actions n Page 20