Dr Paul Sharkey returned to the Catholic Education SA Conference Centre, Thebarton on Friday where over 80 people gathered for the launch of his book “Educator’s Guide to Catholic Identity”. In his book Paul describes practical ways Australian schools are developing their pastoral care programs, curriculum, liturgy and teaching approaches to enhance their Catholic identity. In this way schools offer students an even stronger, sustained engagement with their faith. “Educator’s Guide to Catholic Identity” is part of a new Mission and Education series by Vaughan Publishing.
At the launch Dr Sharkey gave an engaging key note address on “Religious Leadership and the Identity Project in Catholic Schools”. The power of story tells us who we are and he used that powerful image of home. He explained that the book is about finding a home in Catholic schools which is both a challenge and a privilege and is an active process. Paul said that he is taken with the way Pope Francis is trying to offer the Church as a home in an inclusive way. He sees Catholic schools as communities where learning, faith and life meet in ways that are meaningful for students.
Current Director of Catholic Education SA, Ms Helen O’Brien commended the book and said she was delighted to launch “Educator’s Guide to Catholic Identity”. She spoke of the hard work of Paul and collaborators from Catholic schools in SA in producing such a quality publication. She focused on the idea that the book is a narrative which gives a compelling call for a change of heart. This narrative has an issue and a challenge, with Paul describing his own experiences and those of Catholic school leaders to open up new ways of understanding “Catholic”. Helen said, “There is a resolution to the narrative which in part lies in deep understandings about schools’ Catholic identity”.
Professor Therese D’Orsa also spoke at Friday’s launch. She is one of the authors of the recently released book: “New Ways of Living the Gospel”, also part of the Mission and Education series. Therese acknowledged Sr Catherine Clark who attended the launch and was a contributor to the book with a chapter on “The Spiritual Tradition of the Australian Sisters of St Joseph in South Australia” celebrating the foundation of Josephite schools. The book also celebrates a range of spiritual inspiration in the Catholic tradition manifested in schools around Australia including Good Samaritan, St Don Bosco, Mercy, Edmund Rice, Marist, Ignatian and De La Salle.
Educators’ Guide to Catholic Identity ($29.95 plus postage) can be purchased via the Paulinebooks website
or Paulinebooks, Adelaide via email: orders.adelaide@paulinebooks.com.au
Reception students who join a 2024 mid-year intake at a Diocesan Catholic school will get free tuition in Terms 3 and 4.
