Dr. Brett Salkeld, author of ‘Educating for Eternity’, keynotes the Diocese of Fall River Catholic Schools Spiritual Day

Originally posted on www.anchornews.org
By Joseph Harrington

FALL RIVER, MA – Each year the faculty and staff of every Catholic school in the Diocese of Fall River come together for a day of spiritual renewal.  In addition to regular faith formation programs at the individual school level, the Catholic Schools Office offers a day for Catholic school teachers, administrators, and staff that began with Mass celebrated by Bishop da Cunha at St. Julie of Billiart Parish, followed by a spiritual program at Bishop Stang High School.

This year’s spiritual day was held March 15. Brett Salkeld, PhD., Salkeld, theologian for the Archdiocese of Regina in Canada,  was keynote speaker.  Dr. Salkeld is the author of ‘Educating for Eternity,’ where he explains the role of Catholic anthropology in education as well as offers Catholic school teachers, leaders, and staff new ways of integrating the faith into all aspects of their school’s curriculum.  From math and science to health and social studies, every subject can be taught from a Catholic worldview, he said, and he tried to present a truly effective way to explain and model eternal truths to students.  This is how the true purpose of Catholic education is fulfilled, he stated.

After his address to an audience of almost 475 educators from across the Diocese, the group divided according to their grade and subject area. Initially the high school educators remained with Dr. Salkeld as he dove deeper into the challenges of incorporating the Catholic worldview into all areas of a high school education.  Concurrently, the elementary level educators divided into smaller groups and discussed what they learned from the keynote address and shared ideas on what has worked, as well as on challenges faced in their own schools. The groups switched so that the elementary educators benefited from working directly with Dr. Salkeld on challenges unique to elementary age school children.

According to Dr. Salkeld, “As our culture becomes more and more post-Christian, and as the basic cultural presuppositions through which we unwittingly approach any subject become less and less Catholic, we must be ever more intentional about cultivating a consistent and coherent Catholic worldview in ourselves and in our students. Such a worldview will impact the way we approach every subject. It is my hope that everyone who reads this book or attended this professional development came away with a clearer vision of how their Catholic faith informs how they approach many of the most important questions facing our Church and our world.”

Marian Desrosiers, Director of Catholic Identity and Mission, added, “Catholic schools continue to be valuable places of education that support the two essential structures for healthy social fabric and better quality of life – families and faith communities. ‘Educating for Eternity’ brings together the calling each of our educators experienced when they said ‘Yes’ to Catholic education, with the privilege of strengthening these two structures that have been proven to be the foundations of thriving in a secular world. Moreover, Catholic schools help students deepen their relationships with God and Christ, which in turn, allows each individual to become the person God created them to be. Herein, lies the formula for true happiness.”

“‘Educating for Eternity’ is a tremendous resource for every Catholic school educator, leader and staff member,” said Daniel Roy, Superintendent of Schools for the Diocese of Fall River.  “Our Catholic schools’ primary focus is to evangelize students and their families, and Dr. Salkeld invites educators to consider more deeply what it means to teach in a Catholic school, offering practical approaches based in what teachers teach. The rich history of the Catholic Church and contributions to the world need to be known and embraced by all who pass the faith onto the younger generation. I am personally excited that Dr. Salkeld has joined us in this work to strengthen our schools for the communities they serve.”