2022 | Issue 12 | SJC Newsletter

Earlier this week I attended the conference on church renewal which was attended by most principals of Victorian Catholic secondary schools. The issues covered in the conference are extremely pertinent to all of us involved in Catholic schools.

The most recent census shows a significant drop in the number of people who attend church and the number of people who identify as Catholic. At the same time demand for places in Catholic schools is increasing. The Herald Sun and the Geelong Advertiser recently ran stories suggesting that families value having their children exposed to Catholic values.

Many of us who find it difficult to remain engaged with the church at the Parish level still retain some attachment and are often described as cultural Catholics. In enrolling your child at St Joseph’s, he and your family have chosen to be part of the Church in some way, whether because of the values promoted or for other reasons.

Some of us feel that because we don’t fully subscribe to all church teachings, that we can’t belong. It is worth pointing out that even at the highest levels of the Catholic church there are huge disagreements about some items of doctrine.

A friend of mine, a Protestant of deep faith, explored a variety of faith traditions including Catholicism and told me that he had been very close to becoming a Catholic. There were however some items of Catholic doctrine (teaching) that he found extremely difficult to accept. He came to the view that he would not be welcome as a Catholic if he didn’t ‘buy the whole package’.

I find this really troubling because I believe in the importance of an inclusive church…after all the word catholic means ‘universal’. Our church should be inclusive of people from diverse backgrounds and inclusive of those who are at different levels of understanding and commitment in their faith journey. Everyone is welcome at St Joseph’s regardless of their beliefs.

Theologian Ron Rolheiser uses the analogy of a family. Some members of our extended family are around all the time, some only turn up occasionally and some we never see. Rolheiser suggests that the church is the same. Regardless of your commitment and how often you engage you are still part of church.

A presenter at the conference suggested that most current and former Catholics say the church needs to change and that 2.5% say it needs to change back to the good old (1960’s pre-Vatican 2) days and 90% suggest that it needs to change to be to more like secular society in our modern world. Change is happening but the Catholic Church is the largest organisation on the planet which makes change slow and difficult.

Recently the Catholic Church in Australia conducted a ‘Plenary Council’ to canvass the views of Catholics across the country. The council considered a number of motions including some significant ones affirming the equal dignity of women and men and an increased role of women in the church. I believe that the motions passed will lead to change, albeit slowly, and move us further towards the church that we will find it easier to be more fully engaged and comfortable with.

Last week I spoke to an assembly of Year 7 and 8 students about the importance of the way all St Joseph’s students present themselves in public. May I ask all parents to be aware of and fully support the expectations of students being in full and correct uniform every day as they travel to and from school.

The ‘triUMPH lite’ music festival will be held across an extended lunchtime at school on Friday 9 September. As part of our commitment to support education in Timor-Leste we are asking that every St Joseph’s student pay five dollars for which they will receive a wristband that conveys the right to wear casual clothes on that day. Arrangements for payment will be communicated to students in the next week along with details of the entertainment and food options which will be available on the day.

God Bless