Deacon Nick

January 2, 2012

Educate Young People in Peace and Justice, Says Pope

In his homily for the Solemnity of Mary, the Mother of God, Pope Benedict had these words about the importance of peace and justice education:

‘Educating Young People in Justice and Peace’ is a task for every generation, and thanks be to God, after the tragedies of the two great world wars, the human family has shown increasing awareness of it, as we can witness, on the one hand, from international statements and initiatives, and on the other, from the emergence among young people themselves, in recent decades, of many different forms of social commitment in this field. For the ecclesial community, educating men and women in peace is part of the mission received from Christ, it is an integral part of evangelisation, because the Gospel of Christ is also the Gospel of justice and peace.

In the face of the shadows that obscure the horizon of today’s world, to assume responsibility for educating young people in knowledge of the truth, in fundamental values and virtues, is to look to the future with hope. And in this commitment to a holistic education, formation in justice and peace has a place. Boys and girls today are growing up in a world that has, so to speak, become smaller, where contacts between different cultures and traditions, even if not always direct, are constant. For them, now more than ever, it is indispensable to learn the importance and the art of peaceful coexistence, mutual respect, dialogue and understanding. Young people by their nature are open to these attitudes, but the social reality in which they grow up can lead them to think and act in the opposite way, even to be intolerant and violent. Only a solid education of their consciences can protect them from these risks and make them capable of carrying on the fight, depending always and solely on the power of truth and good. This education begins in the family and is developed at school and in other formative experiences. It is essentially about helping infants, children and adolescents to develop a personality that combines a profound sense of justice with respect for their neighbour, with a capacity to address conflicts without arrogance, with the inner strength to bear witness to good, even when it involves sacrifice, with forgiveness and reconciliation. Thus they will be able to become people of peace and builders of peace.

In this task of educating young generations, a particular responsibility lies with religious communities. Every pathway of authentic religious formation guides the person, from the most tender age, to know God, to love Him and to do His will. God is love, He is just and peaceable, and anyone wishing to honour Him must first of all act like a child following his father’s example. … In God, justice and mercy come together perfectly, as Jesus showed us through the testimony of His life. … Jesus is a way that can be travelled, open to everyone. He is the path of peace. Today the Virgin Mary points Him out to us, she shows us the Way: let us walk in it!.

Read the rest of the homily here.

January 1, 2012

Mary: A Model of God’s Invitation to Shared Life and Sacrifice

How wonderful to open up the January issue of Give Us This Day and discover that the very first meditation of the new year is by my diocese’s very own Bishop Blase Cupich. Here is the conclusion of his meditation on this Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God: Theotokos

This blessed virgin agreed not only to give birth to the Son of the Most High God. She also consented to enter into a unique relationship with God, a relationship that is so intimate that only the bond between a mother and a child comes close to explaining or understanding it. The message of this first disciple of Jesus is clear as we begin a new calendar year: God invites us into an authentic relationship of shared life and sacrifice. It is a relationship in which we come to know who we are in knowing God, and he wishes us to know him in a way that gives us new life.

As this new year dawns, may we all actively answer the invitation that Bishop Cupich writes about, entering more deeply into shared life and sacrifice with God. Happy New Year!

Cross posted at One Catholic Life.

December 31, 2011December 30, 2011

T Factor: The Key to Being a Brilliant Teacher?

Adam Lopez at The Guardian’s Teacher Network Blog attempts to answer the question, What Makes a Brilliant Teacher:

In my experience, teachers with the T Factor, run a happy, high achieving environment in which the pupils feel content, valued and achieve high respective standards academically and behaviourally. These teachers create a sense of awe and wonder to develop enquiring minds with an insatiable thirst for learning that endures.

“So, what is the mystical T Factor?” I hear you say. Well, put simply, the T Factor is ultimately the teacher’s ability to progressively build, maintain and reinforce high quality educational attachment relationships (linked to the principles of John Bowlby’s attachment theory). This, in its infancy, can be termed rapport; however, as this is built upon, a quality psychological connection or attachment relationship conducive to learning and attuned interaction is developed and strengthened.

Emotional intelligence and empathy are two huge features of a T factor teacher’s practice. Knowing how, when, and what to say in order to bring about conditions in which educational attachment flourishes, is an incredibly subtle yet powerful tool. I believe that these skills can be somewhat coached and taught; although it is clear that some individuals have a natural propensity towards innately interacting in an emotionally intelligent manner, without coaching or training.

What do you think of the T Factor? Before commenting, be sure to read the full article.

December 30, 2011

Poignant Video Shows Students True Service

As the prospect of my ordination to the diaconate draws ever closer (9-10 months away, God willing!), I am becoming more sensitive to articles and videos having to do with service. The following video expresses beautifully what it means to be a true servant. It would make a powerful statement during a service retreat with your students, or even as a way to begin a lesson on what it means to be a disciple of Christ.

December 30, 2011December 29, 2011

“She put her whole heart and soul into teaching”

On Christmas Day, Catholic education lost a devoted teacher. Though I hadn’t heard of Mary Lou Green before this news story, she sounds like a wonderful person and a true blessing to Nebraska’s St. Isidore Catholic School. A few highlights:

In 1964, she became one of the first teachers, and the only lay teacher, at the new St. Isidore school. She spent the next 45 years there and retired in 2009.

Teacher Kristi Bruns worked 24 years at St. Isidore with Green, and said Green taught through example.

“She was extremely dedicated. She put her whole heart and soul into teaching. Her life was her students. She loved watching them succeed. She had compassion for kids, not just in education, but for them as people,” Bruns said.

One of the programs Green initiated at St. Isidore in 1981 was History Day. Many of her students over the years won state competitions and qualified for nationals through the program.

Catholic Schools and Tuition Tax Credits: Progress?

Are tuition tax credits the future of making Catholic schools affordable? Many Catholic school leaders believe so:

To keep these programs going and see similar legislation passed, they said, Catholic leaders need to garner a lot more support for tuition tax credits from leaders of both parties, the general public and even the wider Catholic community.

In a question-and-answer session, Michael Guerra, former National Catholic Educational Association president, asked: “Why do we want tax credits? Is it just to keep Catholic schools alive?”

In response to his own question, he said that approach “won’t fly” and the real reason to make Catholic schools an option for more students is “because they’re good for families and kids.”