School Board Chairs Mass

Homily

By the Most Rev Bishop Don Sproxton
Auxiliary Bishop of Perth

St Mary’s Cathedral, Perth
Friday 20 September 2019

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There have been many changes to the governance structures of Catholic Education since the institution of the Catholic Education Commission in 1970. Over this time, Principals and their leadership teams have come to appreciate the support they have received from School Boards, whose members have contributed their expertise and experience of governance.

Partnership and collaboration are important for Catholic communities. Our Archdiocesan Plan enshrines these and we are seeing very encouraging signs of many more ways that parishes and their schools are aligning their missions.

The Catholic school is one of the communities that make up a parish and it has been the key agent for evangelisation in its parish.

As times change, Catholic education responds to new circumstances and seeks to proclaim the Gospel in ways that people can understand.

Sometimes challenges have to be faced, and these can seem like the Cross appearing again in our lives. Change is never easy. Yet Jesus encourages us to take up the Cross each day and follow him. In fact, he reveals that by doing this, we become true followers of his Way. It means giving from what we have, and we learn that from what we contribute in time and from our other resources, more is achieved than we thought possible, because he works with us.

Catholic Education WA has announced that in response to the changed world of governance, the Bishops of Western Australia are to incorporate Catholic Education. By taking this decision, the strategic planning role of the Catholic Education Commission is made clearer and the relationships with all within the system will be enhanced. We believe that there will be minimal impact on schools and many benefits.

Work is now proceeding so that the incorporation will be in place by the beginning of 2020.