Pope Francis says "... make the school-community a true school of life, allowing your children to face a difficult world but illuminated by hope; a hope based on the promises of Christ..."
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MESSAGE FROM THE HOLY FATHER FRANCIS
TO PARTICIPANTS OF THE PARENTS’ ASSOCIATION CONGRESS
OF FREE EDUCATION STUDENTS (APEL)
TO PARTICIPANTS OF THE PARENTS’ ASSOCIATION CONGRESS
OF FREE EDUCATION STUDENTS (APEL)
Pope Francis sends a message to the Association des Parents d’Élèves de l’Enseignement Libre (Association of Parents for Free Education), saying parents are the primary educators of children while reminding them that “this task requires the help of the of the whole society, beginning with the school.”
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I am happy, dear parents, to be able to greet you through this message, all of you, representatives of APEL gathered in Valencia, around the president and the accompanying bishop of your Association. You intend these days to work, reflect and discuss your mission in the service of the educational community and I come to join your reflection, because young people and families, present and future of our companies, are the center of my attention. Parent associations were particularly encouraged by the Council which urged Christians to spontaneously offer their assistance in order to follow and support all the work of the school (cf. Second Vatican Council, Gravissimus educationis, n. 6).
Dear parents, you are indeed the protagonists and the first architects of the education of your children, but this task requires the help of the whole of society, starting with the school. A strong alliance between school and families allows the transmission of knowledge at the same time as the transmission of human and spiritual values. This educational alliance is thus an opportunity to promote the integral education of man to ensure the construction of a more human world and guarantee its spiritual dimension. In short, it is about helping young people discover God’s plan for each of them.
On the other hand, the school-community is a real microcosm open to the future. This includes those who are directly involved in the educational process, from management and administrative staff to teachers and parents, the latter being the central pivot around which this little world revolves. You thus give life to a community which takes on, with a diversity of roles but a convergence of ends, the characteristics of a Christian and human community cemented by charity.
The way forward in this area, as in so many others, remains that of alliance, encounter, and collaboration. So your commitment as parents, in the service of our educational communities, is essential and I thank you for it. It is one of the pillars of the Global Educational Pact that I invite you to propose with enthusiasm, even in the face of divergent opinions, because “religious convictions on the sacred meaning of human life allow us to recognize the fundamental values of common humanity, values in the name of which we can and must collaborate, build and dialogue, forgive and grow, allowing all the diverse voices to form a noble and harmonious song” (Lett. enc. Fratelli tutti, n. 283 ).
Finally, dear parents, don’t forget the educational function of time! You know from experience that education does not end with schooling: its effects are manifested throughout life by allowing us to welcome the joys and trials that mark it. As in the parable of the mustard seed (Mk 4:26-29), the work of parents and teachers, difficult because it is delicate, develops with the seasons and is bound to bear unexpected fruits in the future. In the meantime, I invite you to “redeem the time” according to the expression of Saint Paul (Eph 5:16) and to face the current challenges with courage.
I am thinking in particular of the challenge posed by artificial intelligence and the way in which it is revolutionizing, beyond learning methods, the way of thinking for oneself. To face this challenge which not only affects ethics but also the training of the intelligence and judgment of your children, of all youth, I come to assure you that the Church is at your side. There is a whole work of discernment here that I invite you to do with the entire educational community and the enlightenment of the Church, because this type of challenge cannot be faced alone!
May these days of reflection dedicated to “Education for life” lead you to make the school-community a true school of life, allowing your children to face a difficult world but illuminated by hope; a hope based on the promises of Christ which does not disappoint. I ask the Virgin Mary, mother and teacher, to inspire your initiatives and your commitment to the service of your schools: may she protect you, keep you firm in Christ and always make you witnesses of her love. With all my heart I bless you and your families, without forgetting the educational communities in which you work.
From Saint John Lateran, May 13, 2024
FRANCIS
______________________________________________
I am happy, dear parents, to be able to greet you through this message, all of you, representatives of APEL gathered in Valencia, around the president and the accompanying bishop of your Association. You intend these days to work, reflect and discuss your mission in the service of the educational community and I come to join your reflection, because young people and families, present and future of our companies, are the center of my attention. Parent associations were particularly encouraged by the Council which urged Christians to spontaneously offer their assistance in order to follow and support all the work of the school (cf. Second Vatican Council, Gravissimus educationis, n. 6).
Dear parents, you are indeed the protagonists and the first architects of the education of your children, but this task requires the help of the whole of society, starting with the school. A strong alliance between school and families allows the transmission of knowledge at the same time as the transmission of human and spiritual values. This educational alliance is thus an opportunity to promote the integral education of man to ensure the construction of a more human world and guarantee its spiritual dimension. In short, it is about helping young people discover God’s plan for each of them.
On the other hand, the school-community is a real microcosm open to the future. This includes those who are directly involved in the educational process, from management and administrative staff to teachers and parents, the latter being the central pivot around which this little world revolves. You thus give life to a community which takes on, with a diversity of roles but a convergence of ends, the characteristics of a Christian and human community cemented by charity.
The way forward in this area, as in so many others, remains that of alliance, encounter, and collaboration. So your commitment as parents, in the service of our educational communities, is essential and I thank you for it. It is one of the pillars of the Global Educational Pact that I invite you to propose with enthusiasm, even in the face of divergent opinions, because “religious convictions on the sacred meaning of human life allow us to recognize the fundamental values of common humanity, values in the name of which we can and must collaborate, build and dialogue, forgive and grow, allowing all the diverse voices to form a noble and harmonious song” (Lett. enc. Fratelli tutti, n. 283 ).
Finally, dear parents, don’t forget the educational function of time! You know from experience that education does not end with schooling: its effects are manifested throughout life by allowing us to welcome the joys and trials that mark it. As in the parable of the mustard seed (Mk 4:26-29), the work of parents and teachers, difficult because it is delicate, develops with the seasons and is bound to bear unexpected fruits in the future. In the meantime, I invite you to “redeem the time” according to the expression of Saint Paul (Eph 5:16) and to face the current challenges with courage.
I am thinking in particular of the challenge posed by artificial intelligence and the way in which it is revolutionizing, beyond learning methods, the way of thinking for oneself. To face this challenge which not only affects ethics but also the training of the intelligence and judgment of your children, of all youth, I come to assure you that the Church is at your side. There is a whole work of discernment here that I invite you to do with the entire educational community and the enlightenment of the Church, because this type of challenge cannot be faced alone!
May these days of reflection dedicated to “Education for life” lead you to make the school-community a true school of life, allowing your children to face a difficult world but illuminated by hope; a hope based on the promises of Christ which does not disappoint. I ask the Virgin Mary, mother and teacher, to inspire your initiatives and your commitment to the service of your schools: may she protect you, keep you firm in Christ and always make you witnesses of her love. With all my heart I bless you and your families, without forgetting the educational communities in which you work.
From Saint John Lateran, May 13, 2024
FRANCIS
Source Vatican.va - Image Screenshot from Vatican News from a previous audience of the pope
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