Böcker av Richard Rymarz

This book explores in a theoretical and practical sense the challenges and opportunities arising in the initial and ongoing formation processes for teachers in Catholic schools. It showcases a range of international perspectives on how prospective teachers for Catholic schools are prepared both academically and pastorally for their professional role. Divided into two parts, Part 1 of the book focuses on certain countries in the Anglosphere; each country with a dedicated chapter in which the academic and pastoral approaches to teacher formation are examined in the context of its particular cultural, political and religious landscape. Part 2 of the book examines specific areas of interest with particular reference to what it means for the Catholic Church's mission to offer suitable formation to its corps of teachers. Building on the editors' previous work, this book offers a fresh perspective on this subject by bringing together observations from selected local contexts on what Catholic teacher formation looks like as a set of organised processed and structures. It also shows how the study of educational themes offers challenges to current practices, but also opportunities for fruitful engagement with other educational perspectives.

FIRST STEPS IN RELIGIOUS EDUCATION is an interactive handbook designed to assist those preparing to teach religious education in early years' classrooms. It also provides a sound general introduction to religious education in the Catholic primary school context, with a focus on early years' settings. Both authors have been highly experienced and successful teachers of religious education in Catholic schools, and are effective teacher educators in the discipline. This book is infused with their experience and knowledge. Through a balance of theory and practice, the reader-participants are led to consider the nature and purpose of religious education, and to begin to develop a personal vision of themselves as teachers of religious education.

This book explores Pope John Paul II concept of the New Evangelisation and examines some of the implications that this has for Catholic schools. For John Paul II the New Evangelisation arose out of the deliberations of the Second Vatican Council and its aftermath. At its core it sees a relationship between believers and Christ, through the ministry of the Church, as the key for an authentic Christian life in the third millennium. The New Evangelisation recognizes that the cultural milieu in which Catholic schools operate is very different from even a few decades ago and as such schools need to reconfigure themselves to meet new challenges. Catholic Schools can no longer rely on passive socialization as a primary means of catechesis. It needs to better articulate their message in an era when religious beliefs and practises are increasing marginalized, often seen as a private concern or one option amongst many. By emphasizing, amongst other things, an engaged and responsive mentality, cultivation of supportive groups and the need for a reconceptualisation of religious education, Catholic schools can address the significant challenges the New Evangelisation puts before them.