"Choose a Catholic school for your child"
My dear people of God,
On this (day), the Solemnity of Christ the King, please allow me to speak to you on a theme I hold close to my heart, that of Catholic schools. Since assuming office as your archbishop, I have established a revitalised Catholic Education Commission, I have brought together all religious heads running schools in Singapore and I have personally commissioned all the principals of our Catholic schools. Christ must be allowed to reign as King in all areas of our life - this includes that important domain of the education of our young people - the future of our country and the future of our church.
The missionaries of the past who came to our shores recognised the vital role that Catholic schools play in the evangelization of peoples. In the Catholic school, the Gospel of Jesus is proposed to everyone, not imposed on anyone. All are evangelized, but each in his own way. Catholic children and non-Catholic children are educated in an environment that is faith-friendly. Catholic children in particular are deepened in the understanding of their faith, schooled in the intimacy of prayer, and discipled in servanthood.
Many catechumens in our RCIA and RCIY programmes testify that it was during their years in a Catholic school that the seed of the Gospel was planted in their hearts.
It is also in a Catholic school that children learn that faith is not incompatible with science and reason; that all truth and wisdom come from an omniscient and omnipotent God. They learn to apply their faith in all situations of life.
On Wednesday November 24, when you receive the PSLE results of your child, I appeal to you, Catholic parents, to seriously consider the faith formation of your child as an important criterion; I dare say, the most important criterion in the selection of a suitable secondary school for your child. Choose a Catholic school for your child. Whatever the academic ability of your child, there is a Catholic school all the way from special stream to Normal (Technical). We have Catholic schools that are independent, autonomous and government-aided. I have even asked that the Catholic Education Commission enter into negotiation with the Ministry of Education to bring about a Catholic school response to the latest educational development in Singapore: The Integrated Programme that allows our fast-track boys and girls to skip the "O" Levels and proceed straight to the "A" Levels or their equivalent after 6 years.
I appeal to you young men and women of the church who are training to be teachers: Choose to serve in a Catholic school. We cannot have Catholic schools without a critical number of Catholic teachers who see teaching as a vocation and not just a job. For those already in teaching and being offered positions of higher responsibility, do not be afraid to take on a leadership role. How can we run good Catholic schools without good Catholic principals?
What makes a good Catholic school? Common sense suggests these: Good school leaders, good teachers, good programmes, good facilities and a good number of Catholic pupils. Today let us also consider the importance of the good support of church and home. We are the chief stakeholders of the Catholic school system in Singapore. Our Catholic schools can only be as good as we make them.
As your archbishop, I am working closely with some of the most dedicated men and women in our Catholic schools’ Boards today to chart a course of development for our schools that will revitalize and re-Catholicise some, or further strengthen others which are already centres of excellence in academic and faith formation. Will you join us in this noble task of re-establishing the kingship of Christ in the education of our young people?
God bless you.
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