“To educate is an act of love, it is to give life. And love is demanding, it calls for the best resources, for a reawakening of the passion to begin this path patiently with young people. The educator in Catholic schools must be, first and foremost, competent and qualified but, at the same time, someone who is rich in humanity and capable of being with young people in a style of
pedagogy that helps promote their human and spiritual growth.”

Pope Francis, Address to participants in the Plenary Session
of the Congregation for Catholic Education, February 2014

Here at St Edmund’s, we share a love of Jesus Christ and stand as custodians of our Catholic faith and traditions.  We believe we are all made in the image and likeness of God and that our school is a place of welcome, hospitality and service.  Working in partnership with families and our local parishes we strive to create a thriving Catholic community through excellent teaching and learning.  We provide opportunities for students and staff to know and celebrate their Catholic faith.  Religious Education is at the heart of Catholic education. It informs all aspects of school life and contributes to the mission of the Catholic Church in announcing the good news of Jesus Christ.  At St Edmund’s we strive to foster a loving and safe environment for all students. Basing our daily lives around the Gospel values of Faith, Service, Courage, Justice, Love and Hope. We acknowledge that this must be driven from the heart of the school.  Guided by the staff, the students anchor their own spiritual development not only for themselves but for everyone within this Catholic Christian Community.

Chaplaincy

My name is J’anna Byrne, and I am privileged to be the Lay-Chaplain across our Three East Kent Catholic Schools, here at St Edmund’s, Dover, St Anselm’s Canterbury and Ursuline College, Westgate-On-Sea. When asked to describe my role as Chaplain,  I find myself referring to  the example of Martha and Mary, the two sisters in Luke’s Gospel (Luke 10:38-42); ‘The Martha’ role or ‘the doing role’, busy with the practicalities of planning and organising opportunities for people to gather for liturgies and prayer, for example; and ‘The Mary’ role, or the ‘being role’, walking alongside our community, accompanying and supporting staff, students, families, and our wider community on their faith journey, taking time to listen and be fully present, investing time and energy in the building of relationships and the sharing of stories; and in both the ‘doing’ and the ‘being’, giving opportunities to encounter the love and compassion of Christ in our living and our learning.

You will find more information on Chaplaincy at St Edmund’s below as well as my contact details and our prayer request email address should you have any prayer intentions you would like us to pray for.

Yours in Christ

J’anna Byrne

Contact Details  jbyrne@st-edmunds.com

Prayer requests pray@st-edmunds.com