evangelisation plan 2020
Acknowledgement of Country CBC Fremantle is proud to acknowledge the traditional owners and custodians of the Wadjuk Country on which our College has been located for more than 130 years, and pays respect to Indigenous elders past, present and emerging. We are committed to justice and peace for all, grounded in a spirituality of action and reflection that calls us to stand in solidarity with those who are marginalised and the Earth itself. PHOTO College Chaplain Fr John Sebastian in the College’s Blessed Edmund Chapel.
Contents sharing our faith ABOUT THIS DOCUMENT
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college mission 8 EREA TOUCHSTONES CBC MISSION AND VALUES
head, heart and hands JUSTICE AND PEACE EDUCATION
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the plan 12 STRUCTURE OF THE PLAN
evangelisation plan 2020
sharing our faith Since 1882 CBC Fremantle has been educating boys from diverse backgrounds and nationalities in the Catholic faith. The College’s Religious Education programme focuses on the holistic spiritual formation of each student and a diverse range of activities provides each boy with opportunities to explore his own spirituality within a Catholic environment.
our students. Evangelism is the act of sharing the message and teachings of Christ and is at the core of our faith tradition as a College. When we evangelise, we are sharing the Good News of Jesus with others in our community and beyond. An Evangelisation Plan provides everyone with the chance to shape their unique approach to education, which is primarily to spread the Gospel.
The CBC community prays formally throughout each day and teaches the importance of prayer and reflection in life. The College welcomes students to celebrate Mass each week. Through the sacraments, prayer, and example, boys are inspired to seek God and express their love in the generous service of others.
Church communities evangelise in different ways. For Catholic schools this embodies continually striving to teach students to integrate faith, culture, and life. The evangelisation process involves Christian Witness, reflected in actions and words, as well as the Ministry of the Word, proclaiming the Good News in the same ways as Jesus did.
Every year students engage in Retreats that are tailored to the needs of their year group and intended to help them focus on their understanding of God. The senior students also have the opportunity of participating in a powerful Kairos Retreat, which invites them to explore their spirituality even further.
NEW EVANGELISATION
CBC Fremantle welcomes families and children from other Christian denominations and finds great solidarity in sharing Christian values while holding true to our distinctively Catholic ethos.
PURPOSE OF THIS DOCUMENT
With an increasing secular society and associated decrease in church attendance, at CBC Fremantle we are conscious that we can often be the primary source of evangelisation for our community. While we thrive on the chance to share our faith traditions with our students, staff and families, we are also aware that this mission is charged with responsibility to respond effectively to the needs of the people in our spiritual care. This document outlines CBC Fremantle’s Evangelisation Plan for our community, particularly 4
The challenge that our Catholic schools face today with entire groups of the baptised having lost a living sense of faith or even no longer considering themselves members of the Church and living a life far removed from Christ, requires a pastoral response called ‘new evangelisation’ which is captured in the following actions: • The first is to stir disengaged baptised people to develop the gift of faith they received through Baptism. • The second is to strengthen the faith of those who express themselves with ‘sincere religious feeling’, but who know little of the fundamentals of the Christian life. • The third is to strengthen the faith of those who have reached adulthood, but whose religious formation has not deepened since their childhood and teenage years. New evangelisation recognises that the ‘divine power of the Message’ germinates in people over PHOTO Grandparents’ Day was celebrated with a Liturgy in the Chapel with our special guests.
“When we evangelise, we are sharing the Good News of Jesus with others in our community and beyond.�
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time. As such, our community aims to develop our young men into Catholic leaders who have an active faith and are a model to others in creating a more just society. This requires commitment from families, staff and parishes, and begins with the Catholic curriculum. Every educational activity in a school is part of its curriculum. What makes the Catholic school curriculum distinctive is its efforts to contribute to the development of Baptised students as followers of Jesus Christ who can live the ‘new life of Christ’ in the world of today, and to the growth in awareness of ‘something of the mystery of Christ’ in those who have not received Baptism. The forms of the Ministry of the Word that are appropriate to the Catholic school – primary proclamation, initiatory catechesis and Religious Education – are integral to the Catholic curriculum. This occurs through the integration of faith, culture and life into the nine curriculum Learning Areas, the first of which is Religious Education. For new evangelisation be be successful, primary proclamation and initiatory catechesis are the priorities for Catholic families and parishes, and both are required for the faith development of children and adolescents. PHOTO A whole-school Mass in St Patrick’s Basilica for Edmund Rice Day. 6
quick definitions Primary proclamation is the process of talking about Jesus through the Gospels in order to allow others to know Him better. Examples at CBC are Mass and Liturgical celebrations, as well as aspects of Religious Education and written documentation. Initiatory catechesis nurtures faith and is oriented towards action and works of mercy. The Christian Service Learning programme, College Immersions and advocacy for the marginalised are perfect CBC examples of action that deepens the understanding of the Gospel proclamation and increases faith. Christian Witness means to share the teachings of Christ. Ministry of the Word is communicating the message of the Gospel. Good News is the whole teaching of Christianity – it is ‘News’ because Christ revealed what had previously been hidden from the world, and it is ‘Good’ because it describes the infinite goodness of God.
“The will of God to be done in everything we undertake.” At CBC Fremantle we believe in the inestimable worth of every human individual, for each is made in the image of God and is a reflection of God’s goodness. Similarly, in Evangelii Gaudium, Pope Francis references Benedict XVI to reveal the heart of the Gospel: “Being a Christian is not the result of an ethical choice or a lofty idea, but the encounter with an event, a person, which gives life
a new horizon and a decisive direction.” As a result, “The entire community is called to evangelise and educate the young, and the urgent need for the young to exercise greater leadership.” Therefore, our evangelisation involves staff, families and students and arises from the desire ‘to grow in Christ’ so each of us can demonstrate an active, whole-hearted faith articulated by Edmund Rice, “The will of God to be done in everything we undertake.”
PHOTO Students at the Kiwirrkurra Immersion 2019.
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evangelisation plan 2020
college mission
The heart of the CBC Fremantle mission is to work in partnership with students, families and staff to form a Catholic school community that is based on Gospel Values.
Touchstones
The Edmund Rice Education Australia (EREA) four Touchstones help us to set our direction and define our goals as we continue to reflect and to seek to make the Gospel a living reality in our community. • Liberating Education: opening hearts and minds through quality teaching and learning experiences, so that through critical reflection and engagement each person is hope-filled and free to build a better world for all. • Gospel Spirituality: inviting all people into the story of Jesus and striving to make his message of compassion, justice and peace a living reality within our community. • Inclusive Community: our community is accepting and welcoming, fostering right relationships and committed to the common good. • Justice and Solidarity: committed to justice and peace for all, grounded in a spirituality of action and reflection that calls us to stand in solidarity with those who are marginalised and the Earth itself. Our College community interprets these Touchstones and upholds the following five values:
PHOTO The College invited Extraordinary Ministers of the Eucharist from the Class of 2019 to continue to minister to their community at the Opening Mass in 2020.
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CATHOLIC FAITH Our Catholic community upholds the traditions of Edmund Rice while fostering positive relationships throughout the school environment. We strive for mutual respect and an understanding of the differences between individuals. LEADERSHIP Our community aims to develop young men who have an active faith and, as Catholic leaders, are agents of change and a model to others in creating a more just society. We believe that our Catholic Education in the tradition of Edmund Rice should provide a variety of programs and experiences that facilitates the personal growth and holistic development of each student. CARE CBC Fremantle prides itself on being a supportive community that genuinely cares for all, nurturing a strong sense of belonging. EXCELLENCE Our community seeks to create an educational environment that provides all members of the community with the opportunity to fulfil their potential. COMMUNITY The community at CBC celebrates its history and tradition within the local and broader community through service and pastoral care. The College will continue to enhance its involvement within the community through open communication and active participation. CBC appreciates its role within the context of this community.
“Our community aims to develop young men who have an active faith and, as Catholic leaders, are agents of change and a model to others in creating a more just society.�
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“Based always on Gospel Values, this position of understanding moves us to action, to use our hands to serve others in solidarity.�
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evangelisation plan
head, heart and hands EREA strives to offer a Liberating Education, based on Gospel Spirituality, within an Inclusive Community, committed to Justice and Solidarity. These Touchstones provide the foundation for Edmund Rice schools to educate for justice and peace and offer hope to a world where the dignity of humanity and the integrity of creation is often diminished. A holistic approach to justice and peace education includes an integration of head, heart, and hands. At CBC, this means we use our heads to be fully informed and able to understand the issues facing our world and the needs of the ‘other’ so our hearts will be filled with compassion, acknowledging our individual gifts that underpin respectful relationships and build solidarity. Based always on Gospel Values, this position of understanding moves us to action, to use our hands to serve others in solidarity. HEAD Reading the Signs of the Times justice and peace education helps young people to: • develop the skills of critical thinking and analysis, dialogue and community building, • have the expertise and academic understanding of the issues facing our world, • understand the structural causes of injustice, and • have a language and literacy of justice and peace.
HEART Nurturing Gospel Compassion justice and peace education helps young people to: • draw on scripture, Catholic social teaching and the wisdom of all faith traditions in understanding the world, • nurture a deep sense of the spiritual in their lives and develop a personal relationship with Jesus, • build respectful relationships of solidarity with those who are made poor by society, • cultivate an awareness of their own giftedness, • appreciate and value the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander history and culture, and • engage in prayer and reflection. HANDS Undertaking Prophetic Action justice and peace education helps young people to: • engage in service and solidarity with those on the margins, both locally and globally, • undertake immersions and partnership programs that connect them with other cultures, • develop the skills and attributes of connecting and collaborating with others in the community, • support faith-based advocacy for just causes, and • see themselves as being agents of change for a better world.
PHOTO Year 10 students cooking meals for people in need as part of their Retreat service component.
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evangelisation plan
the plan The College outlays the following plan that will provide structure for the next 18 months to two years. HEAD AIM
TIMELINE
FOCUS
TOUCHSTONE
EVIDENCE
Inform parents about Religious culture
Ongoing
Community
• Gospel Spirituality
• • • •
Evolve the liturgy preparation/induction to Catholic practices programme for students and staff, in order to promote engagement with the Catholic culture of the College.
Ongoing
Students
• Gospel Spirituality
• Participation in faith formation opportunities • Staff, student and community attendance at College masses • Growth in confidence in participation in reading/ praying in liturgies and public.
Explore ways to ensure that primary proclamation is evident throughout the teaching and learning program of Religious Education, ensuring it supports the initiatory catechesis of other students.
Ongoing
Students
• Liberating Education • Gospel Spirituality
PHOTO Year 7 Grandparents’ Day.
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Newsletters Social media College website Parent Night Q and A
HEART AIM
TIMELINE
FOCUS
TOUCHSTONE
EVIDENCE
Explore opportunities for a staff spiritual retreat.
End 2021
• Staff
• Gospel Spirituality
• Run a staff spiritual retreat by the conclusion of 2021.
Promote faith formation opportunities for parents/staff.
Ongoing
• Parents • Staff
• Gospel Spirituality • Inclusive Community
• Conduct a community survey to gain of understanding areas of interest in faith formation. • Use survey data to inform the planning of formation events.
Involve Blessed Edmund Chapel in the promotion of a culture of reflective practice in the community (students/staff/families).
Ongoing
• Community
• Gospel Spirituality
• Increase in Chapel visits. • Explore opportunities for increasing individual student visits to the chapel in line with the curriculum. • Increased participation in College weekly mass.
Develop a culture of engagement with prayer within classrooms.
Ongoing
• Students • Staff
• Gospel Spirituality
• Provide a forum to inform staff on the various forms and practices of prayer. • Increased student willingness to engage in and contribute to Mentor Group prayer.
Grow our students through encouraging self-reflection and contemplation of the boys to gentleman journey.
Ongoing
• Students
• Gospel Spirituality • Justice & Solidarity
• The Rite Journey, including programmes such as The Abyss. • Attending and engaging in year group retreats and other meditation and contemplation activities.
PHOTO Reconciliation in the Chapel.
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HANDS AIM
TIMELINE
FOCUS
TOUCHSTONE
EVIDENCE
Promote service activities through curriculum opportunities, with a focus on Year 7 and Year 8 students.
Ongoing
• Students
• Liberating Education • Justice & Solidarity
• Launch Christian Service Learning programmes within Years 7 and 8.
Implement a training program for staff to train as Extraordinary Ministers of the Eucharist.
2020
• Staff
• Gospel Spirituality
• Train Extraordinary Ministers of the Eucharist within the College staff community.
Form a sub-committee of committed students to assist the Service/Faith and Mission Prefects.
Ongoing
• Students
• Inclusive Community • Justice & Solidarity
• Establish sub-committee, to be overseen by Director of Student Leadership.
Explore opportunities for increasing partnerships with EREBB and promoting staff engagement with their education programmes.
Ongoing
• Staff
• • • •
• Promote available opportunities from EREBB to the staff community and actively encourage participation.
Develop opportunities for students to engage in advocacy and action with the intent to create a more just society.
Ongoing
• Students
• Gospel Spirituality • Liberating Education
PHOTO Year 10 Retreat service component at St Patrick’s Primary School.
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Inclusive Community Justice & Solidarity Gospel Spirituality Liberating Education
• Development of advocacy programmes within CBC and in partnership with other EREA schools.
The College will continue to: HEAD
TOUCHSTONE
HEART
TOUCHSTONE
HANDS
TOUCHSTONE
GS/IC/LE GS/IC/LE
• Service Learning: Vinnies and St Pat’s Christmas appeal • St Pats Community Support Centre: Long Table Dinner • The Rite Journey
JS/IC
• Staff service day • The Rite Journey • RAP • NAIDOC Week
JS/IC JS/GS/IC IC/LE/JS IC/LE/JS
• Caritas • Good Start breakfast • St Pat’s Community Support Centre • Edmund Rice day • Eddie Rice Camps • Year 10 service Retreat • Nursing Home visits • Immersions: Kiwirrkurra, Peru, Philippines • NAIDOC Week
JS/IC JS/IC JS/IC JS/IC JS/IC JS/IC/LE JS/IC/LE JS/IC/LE
PARENTS • Whole school assemblies and events • Newsletters/Touchstone magazines • Touchstone focus per term/calendar • The Rite Journey
GS/IC GS/IC/JS All All
• Liturgies • Mass: Family, Opening, Edmund Rice Day • The Rite Journey • Immersions: Peru/Philippines
All JS/IC/LE
JC/IC All
STAFF • Staff development: Faith story witness, accreditation to teach/work CEWA on going renewal, EREA PD, internal PD • Pastoral care policies • Strategic plan: philosophy, importance of relationships • Touchstone focus per term: posters, calendar • Diversity day • ‘Discuss the culture and nature of the College at the enrolment process allowing parents to ask questions and reflect’ Quote from Lumen pg 6.
All
GS/LE/IC GS/LE/IC All All All
• EREA staff retreats: a call to mission • Liturgies: House, whole school • Mass: Family, Opening, Edmund Rice Day • Kairos retreat • Prayer at the beginning of all meetings • Black Dog on a Lead event
All GS/IS/LE GS/LE/IC JS/GS/IC GS/LE JS/IC/LE
STUDENTS • RE programme • Pastoral care policies • Touchstone focus / term: posters, calendar • Diversity day • Academic care programme: Altar server training, Extraordinary Eucharist Minister
LE/GS GS/LE/IC All All GS/IC/LE
• Prayer: before class, school events • Liturgies: house, Year group • Mass: Family, Opening, Edmund Rice Day • Year level Retreat • Prefect of Faith/Service: Student team to assist Prefect • Advocacy group with Aquinas • Blessing of the Fleet • City to Surf
GS/LE GS/IC/LE GS/IC/LE JS/GS/LE All JS/IC/LE
IC/LE/JS
JS/IC/LE JS/IC/LE
PHOTO CBC staff volunteering at Attadale foreshore as part of Staff Service Day.
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