This reader introduces the key theological themes of Catholic Religious Education today, providing an appropriate core text for those who are being educated to become Catholic teachers and preparing to work in Catholic schools. An ideal aid for managers and classroom teachers, it will also be useful for catechists and parents.

A Companion to Catholic Education is a resource for Catholic educators designed for use in conjunction with other dedicated textbooks and good curricular material. It is not a stand-alone reference guide for educators but will orientate those new to the study of theology and Religious Education towards the key theological themes they will encounter in their teaching and act as a catalyst for further and deeper study of the range of themes covered. Teachers and student teachers can use this text to chart their way through the many curricular packages with which they are faced today. The book is divided into two sections. The first explores key areas of Catholic thought that are relevant for Catholic educators - God and Philosophy, Scripture, Christology, Ecclesiology, Liturgy, Sacraments, Catholic Moral Teaching and Catholic Social Teaching. The second focuses on pedagogical matters pertaining to Religious Education and the broader Catholic life and identity of the Catholic school. Catholic educators are encouraged to develop their knowledge of theological issues so as to understand better their vocation as both educator (in the secular sense) and faith-former (unique to Catholic education and other forms of faith education).

Contributors include: Fr John Bollan, Roisin Coll, John Deighan, Leonardo Franchi, Fr John Keenan, Fr Tom Kilbride, Mary Lappin, Stephen McKinney, Catherine O'Hare, Leon Robinson, Bishop Philip Tartaglia, Karen Wenell, Victoria Harrison "Our schools and colleges have to be different from others, and the key to this is in the word 'Catholic'. It identifies them, and marks them as sharing in the evangelising mission of the one, holy, catholic and apostolic Church ... This timely publication, which explores key areas of Catholic thought that are relevant for Catholic teachers before looking in closer detail at matters pertaining to religious education and the broader Catholic life and identity of our schools, will enable all who read it to grow in this understanding." Rt Rev. Malcolm McMahon OP, Bishop of Nottingham, Chairman of the Catholic Education Service in England & Wales "A good school provides a rounded education for the whole person. A Catholic school, over and above this, should help students to become saints." His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI, Address of the Holy Father to Pupils, 17 September 2010 Leonardo Franchi teaches Religious Education in the School of Education at the University of Glasgow. He has a particular interest in St Augustine of Hippo's contribution to Catholic educational thought. He is the editor of An Anthology of Catholic Teaching on Education. Stephen McKinney is a Senior Lecturer in the School of Education, University of Glasgow (a former Head of Department of Religious Education). His research interests include faith schools and Catholic schools and he has published widely on these topics in journals and books, including his own edited collection from 2008: Faith Schools in the 21st Century.

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