Cardinal Sean Brady has requested that Catholic Education Week flow from Education in Faith Sunday.
The theme for Catholic Education Week 2008 is "Living Faith Fully".
The dates are:
Education in Faith Sunday: 26th/ 27th January 2008
Catholic Education Week: 28th January – 3rd February 2008.
The CGCE and the Irish Catechetics Commission will be working together on this joint venture. There will be a joint poster produced and distributed throughout Ireland for use in parishes and schools.
In terms of resources: CGCE will produce resource materials for schools that will be available online from their website www.catholiceducation-ni.com.
The Irish Catechectics Commission will produce liturgical resource materials for use in home, school and parish on their website www.catechetics.ie
Both organisations will signpost the others website for the sharing of resources.
All schools will be emailed about these arrangements in the next few days. They will also be invited to contribute ideas and suggestions for Catholic education through the website.
CGCE are producing a CD Rom prayer service that will be available online for schools to use as part of their celebrations for Catholic Education Week. There will be a version for primary and post-primary schools.
The Importance of Catholic Education Week
Catholic education provides a high quality, value added and gospel lead educational experience for all pupils. Inspired by the Spirit of Christ the Catholic school seeks to ennoble and enrich the human person so that each can develop and fulfil their potential. Catholic Education Week is a time for special focus and celebration of the unique and distinctive ethos of Catholic education. It enables all involved in Catholic education to come together as one clear expression of unity and pride.
The week provides opportunities for all members of the Catholic education community to:
*Celebrate the vision of Catholic education;
*Highlight the relevance of Catholic education;
*Work in partnership for the promotion of Catholic education;
*Esteem the contribution of Catholic educators;
*Reflect on the importance and relevance of Catholic education;
*Reaffirm their mission within the Church;
*Pray for all who inspire, lead , promote and participate in Catholic education;
*Give thanks for Catholic education through the Eucharistic celebration.