St. John Bosco was quite clear in his appreciation of the teaching profession: he saw it as a good and the holiest profession. When you think about it, all of us are involved in teaching: we want to hand on what is good, precious, and holy from our own traditions. Those who work in schools do this in a more formal setting—Don Bosco placed his radical education system within the context of the home, playground, Church and school. He wanted his students to receive a fully rounded education that would help them to make their effective mark in society. Every young person has a future that is unique to them, and we can all help our students to make their progress. You are probably aware of the popular African proverb that 'it takes a village to raise a child': this helps us to see the community dimension that good education must aspire to. Our schools are not just learning factories that produce young people with A Levels at the end of a long process, thus enabling them to go on to university for another period of study. Our Catholic schools are part of the living and organic community that is our Church. They are places where young people not only learn about numeracy, literacy, science and movement, but they also encounter Christ. Students in Catholic education deserve the very best and our annual celebration of 'Education Sunday' allows the national and local Church to celebrate our heritage and our future.

For 2022, 'Church Together in England' have chosen the theme of 'You are not Lost!' to fit in with the readings of the day. The lectionaries used by the mainline Churches offer Luke's parables of the lost (see Luke 15: 1-31) for the Sunday gospel. Luke reflects on what really counts in life as he records the famous stories of the Lost Sheep, the Lost Coin and, most famously of all, the Lost, or Prodigal, Son. Each story forces us to think about the pain and loneliness of being lost. Imagine being that one lost sheep, realising that the Good Shepherd is searching just for you? Imagine being that poor widow who has lost valuable money? How is she going to makes ends meet this week? Imagine her total joy when the money is found. Imagine being that lost son and the joy of being accepted once more? Imagine being that father seeing the child he assumed was gone forever? Imagine being that older child who thought that they were being ignored? Each parable gives us rich ideas for thought and prayer, and it is fitting that this theme was chosen for Education Sunday.

If anything, our schools are havens of peace and support in an increasingly complicated world—they offer a stability to children that can never be underestimated. Students know that whatever the circumstances their teachers and support staff will be there for them. The issues that we adults had to face growing up, may not be the same issues that children face today. I have to realise that I am not a child or teenager growing up in the world of today—I grew up in the 60's and it would be very wrong of me to equate my experience to that of a young person in Year 9. We need to respect their journey and ensure that we empathise with problems we never knew existed when we were growing up. Given that our school computer took up a whole room when I was in sixth form, the concept of cyber bullying would have been alien to me. Today, our mobile phones have twice the amount of power that that huge computer had. Through social media and modern communications, young people have the world in their hands—yet they are also the problems that this communication can bring. I remember vividly speaking to a wonderfully bright student whose life was being torn apart by so-called 'friends' and their vicious tweets. We need to stand with our pupils in the good times and, more especially, the bad.

Our schools are to be especially commended for their support of families during the Covid lockdowns—schools may have been closed to the majority of students, but teaching did not stop. Teachers worked tirelessly to offer a strong learning experience: children without internet at home were given learning packs. Teachers had to juggle teaching the children of key workers and the vulnerable in the classroom, while offering zoom lessons over the internet, and offering home learning packs. They regularly checked up on students, ensuring practical, and needed, pastoral care. The Government's mantra of 'Every Child Matters' certainly rang true during those difficult times—today, more than ever, we have a duty to be thankful for the gift of Catholic Education. Unlike many academy trusts that seem to be popping up across the land, Catholic schools and universities have been with us for centuries—Oxford and Cambridge Universities came from the great monastic tradition of the Middle Ages. As the Catholic Church began to re-establish itself once more, after the extremes of the penal laws, priority was always given to building Catholic schools—even if it meant that the parish church was build later. Today the Catholic communities across this land pour millions of pounds into their schools—something we should be proud of.

Only this week I was having an interesting conversation with some people who were bemoaning the fact that they did not see many of our children in church at the weekend. We could spend pages on the socio-economic reasons on why 'Sunday' has changed from the only day of rest for the majority of the nation, to an opportunity for shopping, dining, and taking part in a variety of sports. The recent pandemic and closure of churches and a move to online worship certainly has not helped. However, as local communities are we willing to truly welcome families and children to our places of worship at the weekend? Do we look, with disapproving glances if a child makes a noise? I was told, in no uncertain terms, that I needed to get back to fire and brimstone homilies to get the crowds back again. Really? Is haranguing the very people who are coming for worship on a Sunday going to make people come crowding back? Today is an ideal day for the parish community to make connections with the parish primary and secondary schools. Today offers us that chance to show we value their work, and that they are always welcome in our churches. We do not stand as ecclesiastical bouncers at the doors of our churches and dictate who is welcome. The Lord has already done that. If people are not coming to church, then are there creative ways that we can be really missionary in our outreach. What worked well for the early Church might give us some clues: our parables of loss need to be applied to our own personal lives too. In the story of the Prodigal Son, who do you easily identify with? That might give you a good clue as to how you can approach welcoming others into your local church this weekend.

Thank you for the gift of Catholic schools.

Thank you for all those who have given their talents to educating our young people. Through the challenges they encounter each day, lead them to an ever deeper appreciation of the sacred duty to which you have called them.

Thank you for all those who contribute to the efficient running of our schools: Heads and classroom teachers, support staff, kitchen staff, maintenance staff, governors and chaplains. We thank them for their hard work and dedication. Thank you for our pupils. May your love strengthen and nurture them through the influence and example of those who care for them. We pray that through their time at school they will flourish and grow to discover who you have called them to be. AMEN

Author: Fr Gerry O'Shaughnessy SDB

Image: Photo by Kimberly Farmer on Unsplash