Pope St John Paul II taught that: ‘the purpose of the Catholic school is the advancement of the human person; each individual in their material and spiritual needs is personally at the centre of Jesus’ teaching.’ A Catholic school is a very special kind of community, part of a parish, where children and adults are personally, and together, at the centre of Jesus’ teaching.
In such a context it is vital that there are those who can support the spiritual, pastoral and human mission of the school and so we really need and value the role of our chaplains just as in many other settings where human life is experienced. In many primary schools, the chaplain is the Parish Priest. There are also many priests who either work as chaplains or have strong links with their local secondary schools. Our schools are places where the priest belongs. He is never simply a ‘visitor’, but is an integral part and important figure in the life of the community.
Many schools, particularly in the secondary sector, benefit from the presence of a lay chaplain or chaplaincy co-ordinator. In the Diocese we are fortunate to have a team of such chaplains who are work full-time in schools. Their presence and ministry are so important for the life of the school and especially of the young people whose lives they touch. The chaplaincy is an enterprise at the heart of every school and ought to be a kind of ‘icon’ or image of what the entire school is called to become.
Luisa Foley is a chaplaincy co-ordinator at The Douay Martyrs School in Ickenham. Reflecting on the breadth of her role recently, Luisa said, ‘At the heart of my chaplaincy work is building a community by being a presence, a friend, someone who accompanies and supports people on their faith journey: all members of staff, parents and young people. One needs to be a great listener. And, equally importantly, one needs to have a good sense of humour!’
Gerard Lohan works at St Ignatius College in Enfield. He reflects on the essentially sacred mission of the chaplain and the privilege of bringing Christ into the school: ‘As a chaplain I am here to walk alongside each boy on his spiritual journey at St Ignatius. I’m here to help him to know that God loves and understands him, cares about him and wants what is best for him. Each day I must remember that I may be the only person that he will meet today who tells him of Christ.’
However, the role of the chaplain, like any form of ministry among God’s people, comes with challenges, too. ‘As a School Chaplain one of the many stumbling blocks is to feel that one has all the answers wrapped in a neat package ready for distribution to the questioners,’ says Luisa. ‘I find the best way is to show these people love and compassion amongst all their struggles and confusion, and hopefully these two characteristics of God will bring them to see the God I witness to in me.’
In the diocese we work to encourage and support our chaplains and co-ordinators, and give them opportunities to reflect on and grow through their experiences and challenges. We also salute them for their essential ministry among young people, and continue to keep them all in our prayers.
Fr David Reilly works with the Education Service as Co-ordinator of School Chaplains.
Fr David's is one of a number of articles written for the Education Sunday special in the Westminster Record. Other articles were written by Martin Rainsford on the importance of social outreach in schools and JP Morrision, Director of Education.
