Chaplaincy
The chaplain, as a faith presence, committed to the values of Christ, accompanies each person on the journey through life." (‘The Chaplain: A Faith Presence in the School Community’, Monahan and Renehan, 1998)
The primary role of the school Chaplain is that of a faith presence in the school who is available to all students and staff. The Chaplain supports members of the school community on their journey through life. The Chaplain’s non-disciplinary role in the school enables her to develop a relationship of trust with the students, staff and parents. She will respond firstly to the spiritual and religious needs of the students and the whole school community respecting the denominational, religious and personal convictions of all.
The Chaplain receives a mandate that is both educational and ecclesial. The Chaplain puts flesh on the holistic aims of the Education Act (1998), which obliges schools to "promote the moral, spiritual, social and personal development of students." The chaplain is also missioned by the Christian community to accompany and support young people so that they may "have life and have it to the full" (Jn. 10:10).
The Chaplain participates in activities which relate to the wellbeing and development of the school community, e.g. pastoral care meetings, student support team, school planning, evaluation, in-service. The Chaplain ensures that the characteristic spirit of the school, reflecting the founding intention of the school and the school’s Mission Statement, finds practical expression in faith formation as well as pastoral, liturgical, para-liturgical and school outreach activities. The School Chaplain exercises her pastoral role by:
a) personal contact with individual students
b) access to class and small groups
c) provision of liturgical functions
d) maintaining a lively interest in recreational, cultural and outreach activities
e) responding to the day to day pastoral needs of the students.
This role is wide and varied ranging from teaching Religious Education, Social Personal & Health Education, guiding Young Social Innovators' projects, organising liturgies, retreats, meeting students as groups and on an individual basis and taking an active part in all areas of school life. The role of Chaplain is a professional one and a privileged responsibility.
The Chaplain’s areas of focus include:
The interesting and challenging aspects of chaplaincy lie in the various elements of the job. Chaplains do anything and everything- there is not really a typical day.
The role of the Chaplain incorporates a journey of mission to bring the good news of the Christian message to the school community. Just as Christ and the Apostles walked with the people of their time so the Chaplain walks with our people in our time.
We are, as the Gospels say, Christ’s body on earth. It is the Chaplain's love for the message of Christ that allows her to be a presence within our school and we bring the love of Christ to those we meet each day. Bearing in mind the old adage “faith is caught and not thought”, actions, not simply words, are of utmost importance at all times.
Like any journey there is a mystery about what one will meet or run into along the way. It might be an illness of a student, teacher or a family member. It is during these times that comfort and consolation are given to those who are affected or bereaved. Support is also offered through presence and listening, helping them to grieve the loss they have experienced, trying not to seek answers; merely being a willing companion along the way.
Privacy is constantly at the forefront of Chaplaincy however all pupils are informed of the Chaplain's confidentiality policy in 1st year- harm to themselves (by themselves or another), to others or to property will be the only reasons the Chaplain must speak to others without their permission. Where possible the Chaplain seeks to give pupils the confidence and skills to empower them to seek their own solutions - asking what they feel is the best course forward.
The primary role of the school Chaplain is that of a faith presence in the school who is available to all students and staff. The Chaplain supports members of the school community on their journey through life. The Chaplain’s non-disciplinary role in the school enables her to develop a relationship of trust with the students, staff and parents. She will respond firstly to the spiritual and religious needs of the students and the whole school community respecting the denominational, religious and personal convictions of all.
The Chaplain receives a mandate that is both educational and ecclesial. The Chaplain puts flesh on the holistic aims of the Education Act (1998), which obliges schools to "promote the moral, spiritual, social and personal development of students." The chaplain is also missioned by the Christian community to accompany and support young people so that they may "have life and have it to the full" (Jn. 10:10).
The Chaplain participates in activities which relate to the wellbeing and development of the school community, e.g. pastoral care meetings, student support team, school planning, evaluation, in-service. The Chaplain ensures that the characteristic spirit of the school, reflecting the founding intention of the school and the school’s Mission Statement, finds practical expression in faith formation as well as pastoral, liturgical, para-liturgical and school outreach activities. The School Chaplain exercises her pastoral role by:
a) personal contact with individual students
b) access to class and small groups
c) provision of liturgical functions
d) maintaining a lively interest in recreational, cultural and outreach activities
e) responding to the day to day pastoral needs of the students.
This role is wide and varied ranging from teaching Religious Education, Social Personal & Health Education, guiding Young Social Innovators' projects, organising liturgies, retreats, meeting students as groups and on an individual basis and taking an active part in all areas of school life. The role of Chaplain is a professional one and a privileged responsibility.
The Chaplain’s areas of focus include:
- Listening
- Pastoral Counselling
- Spiritual Direction
- Support in crises
- Trauma Management
- Liturgical Celebrations
- Prayer Experiences
- Sacraments
The interesting and challenging aspects of chaplaincy lie in the various elements of the job. Chaplains do anything and everything- there is not really a typical day.
The role of the Chaplain incorporates a journey of mission to bring the good news of the Christian message to the school community. Just as Christ and the Apostles walked with the people of their time so the Chaplain walks with our people in our time.
We are, as the Gospels say, Christ’s body on earth. It is the Chaplain's love for the message of Christ that allows her to be a presence within our school and we bring the love of Christ to those we meet each day. Bearing in mind the old adage “faith is caught and not thought”, actions, not simply words, are of utmost importance at all times.
Like any journey there is a mystery about what one will meet or run into along the way. It might be an illness of a student, teacher or a family member. It is during these times that comfort and consolation are given to those who are affected or bereaved. Support is also offered through presence and listening, helping them to grieve the loss they have experienced, trying not to seek answers; merely being a willing companion along the way.
Privacy is constantly at the forefront of Chaplaincy however all pupils are informed of the Chaplain's confidentiality policy in 1st year- harm to themselves (by themselves or another), to others or to property will be the only reasons the Chaplain must speak to others without their permission. Where possible the Chaplain seeks to give pupils the confidence and skills to empower them to seek their own solutions - asking what they feel is the best course forward.
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Is anyone happier because you passed his way? Does anyone remember that you spoke to him today? |