Tags: Salesian Education
- Page:
- 1
- 2
Standing At the Chalkface of the Gospel
Posted: Thu, 01 Oct 2020 11:03
In this week's Catholic Teacher Article, Mike explores the spiritual symbolism of a simple chalk stain.
Twenty-three years ago, I started my first teaching practice. Dressed in my graduation suit, I proudly walked down the drive of St Peter's Catholic High School, Orrell, near Wigan, briefcase in hand; the journey had begun. One of my abiding memories of that time is spending my breaks and lunchtimes... Read More »
“Believe what you read, teach what you believe, and practise what you teach”
Posted: Thu, 17 Sep 2020 10:11
In this week's Catholic Teacher Article, Mike explores his recent ordination as a deacon, and how he intends to use this role to aid his teaching.
At the beginning of the second week of the summer holidays, I was ordained a deacon. In spite of the Covid-19 restrictions, there were fifty-six guests, and St James Bootle looked fuller than it had been since the lockdown began. To be a deacon means to serve.... Read More »
Warts and All
Posted: Wed, 09 Sep 2020 15:12
In this week's article, Mike explores unconditional love, and how he applies Gospel teachings on love to his career as a teacher.
I have been married eighteen years. Eighteen happy years. Yet, I can guarantee, that upon meeting my her, my female colleagues will say to my wife "How do you put up with him?" I seem to have this effect on my female colleagues: I 'wind' them up! I don't mean to, I'm not... Read More »
Kintsugi: Teachers as Broken Healers
Posted: Thu, 23 Jul 2020 09:10
Kintsugi is a Japanese art form in which breaks and repairs are treated as part of the object's history. Broken ceramics are carefully mended by artisans with a lacquer resin mixed with powdered gold, silver or platinum. The repairs are visible — yet somehow beautiful. Kintsugi means "golden joinery".
Kintsugi is a way of seeing, that is only possible through the eye of contemplation. To contemplate... Read More »
The Mystical Heart of Education
Posted: Thu, 16 Jul 2020 14:44
Hands up who knows what the word 'education' means? I often start in-service training with this question. Quite often a room full of teachers will have no idea of the etymological meaning of the word—why would they? I didn't until I was told. Yet each one has the concept in their head, heart and soul. They have, in my humble opinion, a mystical knowledge of the meaning of education. By mystical... Read More »
Called to serve: called to teach
Posted: Thu, 09 Jul 2020 20:41
In this week's article, Catholic teacher Mike Bennett reflects on the vocation of teaching and his own experience of God's call to teach the young as a layman.
'The Priest' by Jimmy McGovern is a retreat in two hours. Like all of McGovern's work, it is real, grounded, rooted in the everyday experiences that so many of us can relate to. I watch it at least once a year if I can. For me, it is a story... Read More »
Every creature is a word of God and is a book about God
Posted: Wed, 24 Jun 2020 14:00
Continuing our series of articles by a Catholic teacher, this week Mike explores the glimpses of the divine we see in our schools and students.
"Every creature is a word of God and is a book about God"
These words come from the 13th century philosopher and mystic, Meister Eckhart. Like all mystics, he did not see God as confined to ancient scriptures or rituals, not that God cannot be found there; He... Read More »
Entering the Inner Room
Posted: Thu, 18 Jun 2020 09:08
Catholic teacher Michael Bennett reflects this week on helping the young find God in the silence of their own interior space. Photo: Students in the chapel at the 'Make Some Noise' Salesian Youthgather, 2018
My youngest son, Isaac, has a sharp mind, and a sharper wit! He questions everything, reflects deeply and is never quite happy to accept things as they seem to be. A number of years ago, his mum... Read More »
Sacred Journeys in the School Year
Posted: Thu, 11 Jun 2020 19:20
In this week's article on Catholic education, Mike looks at school life as a pilgrimage. Photo: Savio Salesian College students in Lourdes, 2017
I am missing the daily routine of school. The school day has a rhythm, as does the term and the school year. I have always either been at school or working in a school; at forty-six, I am used to the movement of the school day and how the clock ticks.
In this... Read More »
Educating through friendship and peace
Posted: Tue, 02 Jun 2020 14:07
This week's article by Catholic teacher, Michael Bennett, looks at the importance of being a friend to young people. Photo: A Salesian summer camp in 2015
For nine years I was fortunate enough to serve the community of Bootle in Savio Salesian College. From the moment I was appointed, I knew I had found my spiritual home amongst the Salesian family. I was doubly lucky: not only had I landed in a Salesian... Read More »
- Page:
- 1
- 2