Spiritan Missionary News
Education
In 1703 our founder, Claude Poullart des Places, established a house in Paris for the education of poor seminarians. In the following century Francis Libermann insisted, against stiff opposition, that "to abandon the schools is to destroy the future of mission."
During the 20th century education became an important instrument of evangelization in many African countries, while in Europe Spiritans are currently responsible for 38 elementary and high schools. In North America we administer Duquesne University, Pittsburgh and College Saint Alexandre in Gatineau, Quebec. We are also involved in Alternative Education such as special programmes for youth, development education, justice and peace training, and trade schools geared to the needs of particular places and people. In addition, the training of educators is a priority for us.
As Spiritans we are called to evaluate our ministries, including
education, from the
perspective of the poor, to make decisions in the light of what they
do for the poor, what they do to the poor, and what they enable the
poor to do for themselves. We make young people aware of the problems
of poverty and unjust structures in their society and the world at large.
In recent years the call has gone out to re-evangelize the post-Christian western world. It is difficult to see how this can be promoted unless there is serious contact with the "new continent" of youth. Where can such a meeting take place? Only to a limited degree in the churches, because youth are not attending in big numbers. Is there not, perhaps, a better opportunity to make some impact through specialized youth programmes in the parishes and through schools and universities? The majority of young people today may be unchurched, but they are in search of meaning and in touch with God.
High
school students have a deep hunger, an often unrecognized
thirst for silence, for depth, for a deeper spirituality. Meditation
for students becomes a fresh access point to the spiritual life
inviting them to slow down, unhook from the culture, just sit and be
still. They know that God cares deeply about us, but it seems to be
fresh news that God cares about how we live together, about how we
organize our society, about how we treat those who suffer as a result
of our way of life.
Frank O'Neill
Lay Spiritan, Canada
The Spiritan tradition in education is a living tradition. It has been and is lived by thousands of lay teachers and members of the Congregation around the world. Perhaps its most all-embracing goal is Openness to the Spirit. In education this means respect for each one's personality and talents and for the Spirit at work in each person.
Thomas Farrelly CSSp
Ireland
An important priority here at Endulen Mission among the Maasai is the education of young leaders. The people's permanent water and arable land continues to be taken at an alarming rate. There is only one way to turn this situation around. There must be educated Maasai sitting in on decision-making councils at every level. Maasai will soon be nowhere if they don't acquire a voice in the decisions which affect them. Here in Endulen, we want to do all we can to make this happen.
Ned Marchessault CSSp
Tanzania
What should be our aim as educators, counsellors, chaplains? Above all, it is to walk with our young people, knowing that we, too, are people constantly growing and learning. There must always be gentleness and understanding, even when firmness is also necessary. We will sometimes meet expressions of anger, frustration and alienation. There will be shared moments of sadness and dejection, but we often share the joy of battles won and of progress realized. We will at times, too, be rejuvenated by the buoyancy of youthful enthusiasm.
Joe Kelly CSSp
Canada
Go into the schools. They'll know who you are, and if they don't, tell them. Chat with them in the corridors and cafeteria. Listen to them. Ask them if they have any questions. Get to know them by coming in regularly. You'll find them confiding in you after they get to know you. And through the children and high school students you reach their parents - the parents who don't go to church, but who know that you came to the school and said "Hi" to their son or daughter. In the course of a classroom conversation a teenager told me, "I'm teed off with God right now in my life." I replied, "Don't let that worry you. I get teed off with God at least twice a month."
John Cunningham CSSp
Edmonton
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