PRELIMINARY

CATHOLIC SCHOOLS AND

THEIR MISSION
 CATHOLIC SCHOOLS

 Theology and Religious Education subjects-

are required for all students in fidelity to the
identity and mission of all Catholic Schools.
 CONTEXT AND MISSION

 “ a crisis of values, which, in a highly

developed societies in particular, assumes the
form, often exalted by the media of
subjectivism, moral relativism, and nihilism”
(CCE 1197: par. 1)
 CONTEXT

 a life of consumerism and convenience

 thirst for success, financial stability and
lifetime security
 threat of global economic crisis, war and
violence in different parts of the world and
undeniable increasing margin between the
rich and the poor
 CATHOLIC CHURCH

 calls for “courageous renewal, prudent innovation

and proposes to focus on the nature and distinctive
characteristics of a school which would present itself
as Catholic” (CCE 1997: par 3,4)
 Adaptation but of a missionary thrust, the
fundamental duty to evangelize to go towards men
and women wherever they are so that they may
receive the gift of salvation
GRAVISSIMUM EDUCATIONIS

 The duty belongs to the Church not merely

because she must be recognized as a human
society capable of educating but especially
because she has the responsibility of
announcing the way of salvation to all men, of
communicating the life of Christ to those who
believe and in her unfailing solicitude, of
assisting men to be able to come to the
fullness of this life (GE 1965: par. 14)
 CATHOLIC SCHOOLS:
CHARACTERISTICS
 1. CHRIST-CENTERED
 CHRIST-CENTERED

 CHRIST- foundation of the whole education in a

Catholic school
 his revelation gives meaning to life and direct man’s
thoughts, actions and will making the beatitudes his norm
of life.
 For the development of the whole man
 Cultivate human values
 Serve all men-origin in the figure of Christ
 Model which the Catholic Church offers to its pupils (SCCE,
1977: par 34)
Immersed into real life situations
that afforded them patience and
wisdom to apply the values and
virtues of Christ
 2. FORM PERSONS OF SERVICE FOR OTHERS
 Its ultimate end is not merely justified by the number
of professional licenses acquired or the list of
topnotchers in a school, but by the love and passion
of the graduates to serve others, to be of service to
the truth (ACCU 1990: par 7)
 Knowledge and skills are not the final objectives but
are subordinated as means, instruments to reach out
to others, to listen to the cries of the marginalized to
take the plight for the poor and to commit for justice
and equality.
ADVOCATES A DIALOGUE OF FAITH
AND CULTURE
 Catholic schools, then become a fertile ground for
exchange of thoughts and life experiences and the
stage of promoting a shared passion for peace and
love among brothers and sisters whether Christians
and non-Christians.
Agent of justice, truth and equality

 The Church has stood as a “militant Church” which

condemns the excesses in social and political
structures, processes and decisions while it offers its
guidance and wisdom, reminding everyone to seek
the greatest good and the most loving in the light of
Christ’s teachings.
 THEOLOGY COURSES
 1. Theo 100- Salvation History/ Introduction to
Scripture
 2. Theo 200- Jesus Christ/ Christology
 3. Theo 300- Church/ Ecclesiology
 4. Theo 400-Christian Morality
 5. Theo 500- Christian Vocation/ Commitment