On Saturday, 11th January 2025, the Catholic schools in Oyo Diocese Nigeria held their annual Retreat for all teaching staff in all the catholic Primary and secondary schools across the diocese.
This Retreat took place on zonal basis, to usher the teachers into a new term and a new year 2025. The Ogbomoso zone consists of Maryland Catholic Nursery and Primary School, where some Daughters of the Holy Spirit are working, and Maryland Catholic Grammar School. Seventy-seven (77) participants took part in the retreat.
It was a great and solemn day for all the staff as they gathered at the venue, Maryland Catholic Grammar School to reflect on their services to Catholic Schools and dedicate the new term and new year 2025 to God in their service. The retreat commenced with Eucharistic celebration at about 9:30 am, celebrated by Rev Fr Francis Oladiipo, the Principal of the Host School and Rev Fr Sylvester Ekuma, his vice Principal respectively.
In his Homily, Fr Oladiipo reminded the staff that they are called to serve God uniquely in the children entrusted to them in the school. As the first reading 1John 5:20 conveyed, ‘Little Children, keep yourselves from idols’ the homilist remarked that all Christians are to do away with idols, as regarding teachers, there are various forms of idols that can hinder effective teaching and responsibility, which must be done away with. Such forms of idolatry include, using mobile phone while teaching to distract effective teaching and listening by the learners, other forms of distraction in terms of clothing, body make-up, talking away at the wrong time etc. Teachers should lead by good examples for their learners to emulate, not to gossip or eat on the street or indiscriminately.
The second part of the retreat featured the talk on the topic ‘‘Catholic Schools: Places of Information, Formation and Transformation (The Role of Teachers)’’ This was given by Sr Priscilla Madumere (DHS). As part of the objectives of the study, she remarked that Catholic education aims at inspiring learners to be agents of change in the world. By cultivating a sense of responsibility and service, Catholic schools empower students to work for the common good, uphold human dignity and advocate for peace and justice in their communities and beyond. She highlighted the roles of teachers as:
– Educators of the whole person
– Role Model of Faith and Virtue
– Facilitators of Spiritual Growth
– Promoters of Social Justice
– Mentors in Critical Thinking and Morality
She added that Teachers, as key players in this process, influence the intellectual, spiritual and emotional growth of students ensuring that Catholic schools remain places of meaningful transformation.
All participants were later shared into ten groups to discuss and highlight the possible challenges that could be encountered in the course of informing, forming and transforming the learners. After all the groups had reported their outcomes, the presenter Sr Priscilla spoke on the possible solutions to address the challenges mentioned.
She also encouraged teachers to emulate the virtues of Jesus the Model of all teachers, in humility, love, patience, tolerance and compassion. These will help them attain the aim of Catholic Education, which is giving of holistic formation so as to transform the children into useful instruments today and in the days to come.
Sister Patience Effiong, DHS. Published on 15 January 2024
