Communio: a report on the 3rd gathering

50 educators from our primary and secondary schools gathered at our 3^rd Communio session to learn about the social teaching of the Catholic school. Also present were some NIE students.

This session entitled The Catholic Church’s Social Teachings: a foundation for Catholic Schools? was facilitated by Fr David Garcia, Sr Maria Lau and Mr Henry Tzen from Caritas Singapore Community Council.

Fr David began by sharing with us the history of the social teaching of the Church. He then introduced the various principles of Catholic social teaching. He illustrated these with everyday examples. Participants appreciated this as it helped them to see how the various principles are very much part of the way we live and work.

After his presentation, Sr Maria invited participants to reflect on their schools to see how and to what extent these principles are part of the school community. Some participants shared about various programmes that involved student and staff participation. They felt this highlighted the principle of participation. Others pointed how the philosophy of Catholic schools – focused as it is on the child – was evidenced in the efforts schools make to reach out to the lost, least and forgotten among their students. And this, they recognize demonstrated the principle of human dignity. Others spoke about respecting the different levels of administration and work in school, where with respect and support each was enabled to carry out his responsibilities. Here the principle of subsidiarity was at work, they acknowledged. The sharing enriched the participants. It also provided them with new ideas for the classroom and school.

Some responses from participants at the end of the afternoon included:

• “We are now more aware of how to communicate to our students the Church’s Social teachings. We can better integrate them into our school programmes.”


• “The session is relevant to our schools – they offer good Catholic ways to live, teach and learn as a school.”


• “Much of what we do as a school community is in line with the various principles of the Catholic social teachings. Good to know!”


• “The session was informative and educational.”


• “Useful. Helped us to establish and nurture ethos of the Catholic school.”

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With this session, Communio comes to an end for 2008.

Next year, 4 talks are scheduled, one per term, as part of the 2009 Communio series. Watch out for the calendar of these talks that will be posted online shortly.




photos: courtesy of CSCC