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Although in its embryonic stage, the Irish School of Evangelisation is a seed of Christian hope in an age of increasing secularism. There are over 1,200 such schools throughout the world, inspired by the "universal call to holiness" of the Second Vatican Council and the prophetic words of Pope John Paul II.
In Haiti in 1983, the most-travelled Pope in the Church's history challenged all Christian men and women to commit themselves to "a new evangelisation, one that is new in its fervour, new in its methods and new in its expression". In 1994 Ireland became the latest country in Europe to respond to this call by establishing a 'Kerygmatic School of Evangelisation'. The Irish school started primarily as a result of the efforts of secondary school teacher Mr Joe O'Callaghan. His motivation coincided with an increasing awareness within the church of the need for centres of evangelisation in every country. 'It is just one of the many New Movements in our Church reflecting the new springtime, frequently referred to by Pope John Paul ' says Joe. Continuous prompting from lay and religious acquaintances led Joe to contact his parish priest Fr Frank Mitchell and then Bishop Donal Murray DD. From here the project was taken for consideration to Archbishop Desmond Connell DD. The Archbishop expressed a warm interest in the initiative saying he wished to be kept 'informed of developments'. The area curate Fr Eugene Taffe, was also contacted at this early stage. In January 1995 the first formal meeting of the school took place. Those present included Joe, his wife Jean and four other lay parishioners. The common aim was to evangelise in Ireland. A huge project indeed but this small group were not put off by the apparent enormity of the idea and knew from experience that the process would be a gradual one. "Our school, because it is so new, is more of a kindergarten at the moment," says Joe. "It's a small school with perhaps one stream, but there is enormous potential".
Speaking with an infectious enthusiasm, Joe explains that the group received an invitation last year from ACCSE 2000 (the Association of Co-ordinators of Catholic Schools of Evangelisation) to visit Krakow in Poland and share in a conference of representatives from around the world. Eighty delegates attended. It was there that the Irish group learned of the global network of Catholic schools of evangelisation that already exists. There are now three groups in Ireland affiliated to ACCSE 2000 and there is plenty of room for others to join, according to the Dun Laoire group. These schools are bringing to fulfilment the wish of the Second Vatican Council, expressed in the document, Ad Gentes 'to the Nations': "There should be an increase in the number of schools both at diocesan and at regional level in which future catechists can study doctrine, especially in the fields of scripture and liturgy. Let there be more schools in which they can develop Christian habits in themselves and can devote themselves tirelessly to cultivating piety and sanctity of life" (Chapter 2). As the first step in fulfilling its mandate of catechetical formation, a seven-night teaching course was arranged by the School last Spring after consultation with clergy and parishioners. Among the speakers were Fr Eugene Taffe CC, and Frances Hogan. Last November a second initiative took place and a course lasting ten weeks was embarked upon. At the same time a prayer campaign for Evangelisation 2000 took place in the oratory of the Disciples of the Divine Master. The spring-board for the Irish School is the Jubilee Year 2000. "The whole thrust of the Schools of Evangelisation throughout the world is to enter deeply into the purpose and meaning of Pope John Paul's document 'Tertio Millennio Adveniente' which looks forward to and beyond the Jubilee Year 2000". "The people of God are being gathered for a great celebration of this Jubilee. It is the great 'year of favour' when millions of people will have a real encounter with the living Lord Jesus. The great call of the New Evangelisation coincides with this historic event" says Joe. Over 60 people, from the 4 provinces, attended a retreat, which was held by the School this month in the Divine Master Convent. A renewed fervour, expectation and enthusiasm could be detected from those who attended.
Participants at the First Paul Course in Ireland "The 'spirit' of the New Evangelisation is linked to what the Vatican documents call the personal, individual call of each person to holiness of life. The aim is to "be holy, for I am holy" (1 Peter 1:16) and in the light of this headline to move out and bring about a change in the world," explains Joe. (USED WITH PERMISSION) For further information please contact: ISOE, 9A Wyattville Park, Dun Laoghaire, Co Dublin. 01 282 76 58. Email isoe@esatclear.ie |
