Dear Parishioners.

On this Education Sunday I would like to share with you some thoughts and reflections upon teaching young people, given to me by the RE Department at St. Augustines.

 

As we let our light shine we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same

Nelson Mandela (Inaugural Speech 1994)

 

We are fellow workers with God

 St Paul (Letter to the Corinthians)

 

When will we teach our children in school what they are?

We should say to each of them:

Do you know what you are?

You are a marvel.  You are unique.

In all the world there is no other child exactly like you.

In the millions of years that have passed

there has never been another child like you.

and look at your body – what a wonder it is!

your legs, your arms, your cunning fingers, the way you move

You may become a Shakespeare, a Michelangelo, a Beethoven.

You have the capacity for anything. Yes, you are a marvel. And when you grow up, can you then harm another who is, like you, a marvel?

 Pablo Casals (Joy and Sorrow)

 

My idea of education is to unsettle the minds of the young and inflame their intellects.

Robert Maynard Hutchins

 

We are justified in thinking that the future of humanity lies in the hands of those who can provide coming generations with reasons for living and hoping.

Gaudium et Spes, Second Vatican Council

 

Let us all set about to collaborate with our teachers and priests to educate and inspire the next generation of young people.

Fr Frankie