School Chaplaincy Training

The third module for the School Chaplaincy Teams, SCTs, was delivered by Ms Soh Lai Leng, the principal of Holy Innocents High and Ms Michelle Soliano, the principal programme executive of the Family Life Society on the 22nd of July.

Their session explored the structures of Singapore's educational system. The important role of the Church and the Ministry of Education was also examined.

Bro. Colin Wee, FSC delivered the concluding module on the 29th of July. The La Salle brother's topic on Human Development & Faith Formation was delivered at the parish of the Risen Christ Church in Toa Payoh.

His hilarity and wealth of experience was indeed enriching as he expounded on the changes and challenges that school children face today. The four hour lecture was concluded with the presentation of certificates of participation to the attendees.

The School Chaplaincy Teams is ACCS' response to Catholic schools who have long called for support from the Archdiocese in the areas of Religious Education, Catholic ethos and relations with parish communities.

The SCT is a team of persons who may be lay, religious or clerical who minister to a school community. The aim of the SCT is to support school leaders in their on-going efforts to provide quality Catholic education for all students in our schools, especially in the areas of religious education, pastoral care and sacramental life.

Pictured above is Bro. Colin Wee delivering his topic.

Kindergarten Principals & Supervisors gathering

On 23rd July Principals, teachers and a few Supervisors from 12 of the 19 Catholic Kindergartens gathered for the first time to meet with the Archbishop and to get to know each other and share the challenges they face.

Also presenting at this meeting were Christina Ying and Julie Ong who are both Montessori trained kindergarten educators and pioneers in the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd, a way of leading young children to God.

Archbishop Nicholas welcomed the 24 Kindergarten educators and stressed the importance of pre-school education today. He explained that on the one hand we have affluent Singaporeans who have little time for their children. These children who come from small families often lack social skills. On the other hand, at the other end of the spectrum, he said, there are children at risk in families where parents have become recently unemployed or are single parent families. Archbishop said that these early childhood educators are VIPs in the education family as they are dealing with children in their most formative years.

Christina Ying and Julie Ong, Montessori trained Kindergarten educators and pioneers in the ‘Catechesis of the Good Shepherd’, spoke passionately about ‘protecting’ the spirituality of the child which can be quite easily crushed in the rush to get through a great deal of reading and writing skills leaving little time for wonder and quiet. For the pre-school child, the capacity for wonder is even more powerful than for many of us adults who have become jaded by routine and daily grind. If we want children to relate to the spiritual and have a warm and loving relationship with God, they need time to wonder at creation, wonder at themselves and spend time with friends. The same of course is true in the family, not only in kindergarten.

In the latter part of the afternoon Principals, Supervisors and teachers discussed the challenges they are facing today in running Kindergartens.

One challenge all agreed they faced was the ability to communicate the message of the love of God to children of different faiths in a way that is appropriate and sensitive.

Another challenge was to recruit teachers who could support the Catholic ethos of the kindergarten. The principals called for more gatherings of this type where they could share their ‘best practices’ and support each other.
During the afternoon, resources were displayed and made available from Catholic bookshops, the ACCS and the Singapore Pastoral Institute.

The event was organized by the Archdiocesan Commission for Catholic Schools.

ACCS Chaplaincy Team Training

From June 23 to 26 2009 an interesting mix of participants gathered to explore the meaning and work of a chaplaincy team in a school. Also known as “Campus Ministry”.
Facilitating the training was Fr Ron Bagley a priest of the Congregation of Jesus and Mary which is an order founded by St John Eudes. His priestly life has been a rich weave of experiences in pastoral ministry in schools, parishes, prisons and pastoral centres. He was for many years running a centre for the development of Ministry. He is currently working with seminarians and priestly renewal in the diocese of Imus in the Philippines.

Through this training and follow up, the Archdiocesan Commission for Catholic schools aims to provide a model of working in our Catholic schools as a team of persons who can support the Catholic activities and nurture the Catholic character of the school.

As Catholic teachers are very bogged down with their own subjects and generously provide time for coordinating Catholic activities, this will be a welcome development in our schools.

This team consisting of Priest, Religious and Lay persons also provides what is called a ministry of ‘presence’ or ‘hanging out’ as our young people would say. Giving a listening ear in our fast paced society. The training consisted of an overall understanding of ministry and the component parts of ministry to children and young people. In the short time that he had Fr Ron could only focus on a few areas where some particular skill or expertise will be needed. For example in liturgy, listening actively and providing spiritual care for people of all ages in the school.

The ACCS will be providing ongoing training and support so that all Catholic schools will be able to profit from this.

Review: Recollection: "called to teach & build"

13 Catholic teachers from various schools attended the Recollection: "Called to Teach & Build" over the weekend (5 - 6 Jun 2009) held at the Ignatian Spirituality and Counseling Centre. Br Dominic Yeo-Koh facilitated the 5 sessions throughout the retreat, during which he guided the teachers to reflect on their spiritual wellness and invited them to renew their commitment as Christian educators.

Br Dominic quoted from Parker Palmer, Martha Finney, Deborah Dasch, Steve Jobs, etc. They listened and contemplated on the call of Abraham, Moses, Samuel, Jeremiah and Mary in Scripture, and were invited to look at their own vocation and personal call by God.

Here are some of the feedback recieved:

"Sharing was great. Time for prayer and reflection was well spread. Good to have time for this."

"Sharing from other participants was inspiring. It was enriching - nice environment & able to relate closely to God."

"Recollection invited us to focus on the objectives of teaching."

"Those who did not want to stay overnight were also welcome. Sharing and intereaction between teachers are the most valuable."

"Br Dominic's rich and helpful insights, together with all the great & meaningful sharing of all the teachers are valuable."

Recollection: called to teach & build

ACCS invites Catholic educators to a recollection with the theme,

'Called to Teach & Build'

Date: Fri 5 June (check-in at 7pm) / Sat 6 June (check-out at 6pm)

Where: Centre for Ignatian Spirituality & Counselling (8 Victoria Park road, S266492)

Fees: $35 per person (Non air-con) / $55 per person (air-con)

Remarks: Meals included

Facilitator: Bro Dominic Yeo Koh

The retreat will focuss on helping teachers reflect on the role they play in building up a school community, that is centered on and celebrating the Good News.

Please register with Louis at tel 68587085 or email: louis_oo@catholic.org.sg