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Webb, P. (2004). Charisms in Catholic Schools, //Catholic School Studies, May, 2004//

[Webb mounts a strong case for the recognition and retention of the unique Charisms in schools that were founded by Religious Congregations p.32] · ...”It serves the best interests of the Church for communities to have their own special character and purpose. Therefore loyal recognition and safekeeping should be accorded to the spirit of founders, as also to all the particular goals and wholesome traditions which constitute the heritage of each community.p.32

//Whilst the core of my situation is not a specific religious order or founder as defined by Webb, I thought the value he places on communities having their own special character relevant.//

· The experience of belonging to a system of schools,…may not by itself motivate teachers, parents and students to strike at the heart of Catholic education vision and values. p.33 //I chose this quote as our school is a diocesan system school and I think whilst this does provide a sense of belonging it is not enough. To me it reinforces the importance of seeking to explore and understand ones charism.// · One approach is to creatively recover the heroic virtues of the persons after whom schools and their House groups have been named. P.33 //I thought this was a great practical idea. It gave me some ideas/ways to build the charism of our school that would enable it to be visible and accessble for our community.// · The kind of writing today about Australian saints and heroes we need for school people today is historical, rather than primarily theological, philosophical or biblical…p.35

· The paradox is, that in an age which has seen the demise of history as a discipline in schools… in Australia…it is well-researched, well-illustrated, well-sung, well-danced, well-performed and well-written history which may offer the best hope for bringing students, parents and teachers in Catholic schools to appreciate, understand and the charisms that can bring meaning, purpose and drive to their communities.p.35 //As a teacher of history and believer in the importance of understanding the past and learning from it, I think finding historic figures and icons to tell the story as powerful and doable regardless of whether the school has at its foundation a particular religious order or not. This reading really provided some practival ways by which to foster charism and to evluate its presence.// Bernadette Witham