Beacons of Hope: Reflections on National Catholic Education Day
The historic halls of Coombe Abbey recently played host to a landmark gathering for the
National Catholic Education Day. The Catholic Independent Schools Conference (CISC) was
delighted to stand alongside colleagues from across the sector, participating as both partner
and exhibitor in a day defined by fellowship and forward-thinking.
The conference opened with the celebration of Mass by Bishop Michael Brehl, followed by
morning prayer led by Dr. Maureen Glackin. This spiritual foundation set a reflective tone for
the sessions ahead, which tackled a vital question: how can Catholic schools meet the
complex challenges of contemporary education?
A Living “Laboratory of Discernment”
Far from being a nostalgic retreat from the world, the day’s speakers emphasized that
Catholic education is a dynamic force.
Keynotes: Knowing Christ in a Changing Epoch
Bishop Michael Brehl delivered two profound keynotes that anchored the day’s theological
reflections:
A Change of Epochs: Drawing on 1 Corinthians 3:23 (“You belong to Christ”) and the
words of Pope Francis, the Bishop noted that we are not merely living in an era of
change, but in a ‘change of epochs.’ He offered a practical suggestion for educators:
to read and pray each Gospel from start to finish—noting that St. Luke is an excellent
starting point—to truly encounter the person of Jesus.
Heroic Witness and Striking Failures: In his second keynote, “You will be my
witnesses” (Acts 1:9), the Bishop explored the necessity of a daily personal
encounter with Christ. He compared our modern context to the Acts of the Apostles,
marked by both heroic witness and striking failures. His message was clear: like the
disciples in the Upper Room, we must be prepared to ‘get our hands dirty’ in the
work of the Gospel.
Beacons of Hope and Agents of Change
Christine Allen, Director of CAFOD, provided an inspiring reminder of the enduring relevance
of Catholic Social Teaching. She challenged participants to view our schools not just as
places of learning, but as a “laboratory of discernment”—beacons of hope and agents of
change that witness to a faith inseparable from love for the poor.
Reframing the Future: Finding Grace
The conference reached a thought-provoking conclusion with a final session by Dom
Christopher Jamison OSB, Abbot President of the English Benedictine Congregation.
Speaking on the theme of ‘Reframing the Future,’ Abbot Christopher drew upon the insights
of his new book, Finding Grace.
He argued that one of the primary challenges of our time is the rediscovery of the meaning
of words, which have often become diluted or distorted in contemporary secular discourse.
To navigate this, he introduced a learning process designed by Tom Groome, which
encourages educators to move beyond mere information sharing toward a deeper, shared
Christian praxis. By reclaiming our language and our shared story, we find the grace
necessary to lead our schools into an uncertain future with confidence.
Priorities for the Year Ahead
The day also highlighted three essential priorities emerging from the Global Compact on
Education:
1. The Inner Life: Cultivating the spiritual depth of our students and staff.
2. The Digital Human: Navigating identity and ethics in a tech-driven world.
3. Unarmed and Disarming Peace: Promoting a culture of non-violence and
reconciliation.
Strength in Collaboration
For CISC, the event was a vital opportunity to listen and share. The General Secretary Sarah
Barreto was pleased to be joined by several CISC member representatives, including Ged
Owens (Salesian College), Maria Young (Farnborough Hill), Dan Jameson (St George’s
Junior School), Joe Cunningham (St Joseph’s, Reading), and Adrian Ross (Woldingham).
Their presence underscored the strength of the independent sector’s commitment to the
wider mission of the Church. As we look forward to the next gathering, we carry with us the
renewed conviction that our schools are called to flourish as communities of faith,
excellence, and service.
