Ask a Question Why teaching in a Catholic school is far more
than a profession As the Church reminds us: "The Catholic school
has an ecclesial identity, because it is part of the
evangelising mission of the Church" (The Catholic School on the
Threshold of the Third Millennium, 1997). In Catholic primary
schools, teachers are called on to develop children's capacity
for faith and understanding, which one hopes will blossom fully
in later years. Secondary schools then provide a privileged
means by which "the Catholic community gives the student an
academic, vocational and religious education" (Apostolic
Exhortation, Ecclesia in Oceania). The document elaborates
further: "The Synod Fathers wish to acknowledge the work of the
religious men and women who have laboured generously in the
field of Catholic education. "For the lay people involved,
teaching is more than a profession: it is a vocation to form
students, a widespread and indispensable lay service in the
Church. Teaching is always a challenge; but with the