Our school is a member of The Edmund Rice School Network, a consortium of Catholic schools that educate in the spirit and tradition of the Edmund Rice Christian Brothers. Each school community strives to embody the values of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and the Essential Elements of an Edmund Rice Christian Brother Education.
The Office of Educational Services provides programs, services, resources, and consultation to the consortium in order to assist the schools in their ministry of Catholic education in the tradition of Blessed Edmund Rice. For more information, visit ercbna.org.
Blessed Edmund Rice was given the grace to respond to the call of Jesus by identifying with Christ in the poor. His example evoked a deep awareness of God’s loving presence in all with whom he came in contact. He also awakened within them a consciousness of their dignity as children of God. He invited his followers to share the Gospel insight to reach out to the needy, especially the materially poor.
“Edmund Rice was moved by the Holy Spirit to open his whole heart to Christ present and appealing to him in the poor.”
(1984 General Chapter).
The life of Blessed Edmund Rice – businessman, husband, father, widower, religious brother, teacher, and founder – challenges all involved in Christian Brother Education to live and teach Gospel values. His vision inspires the Essential Elements of an Edmund Rice Christian Brother Education:
The Essential Elements of an Edmund Rice Christian Brother Education calls educational ministry sites and those working in them to . . .
Evangelize Youth within the Mission of the Church
Proclaim the Good News of Jesus Christ in word and deed
Permeate the entire curriculum, activities, and all aspects of the educational process with the Gospel message of Jesus Christ
Encourage young people to a deeper relationship with Jesus Christ
Provide opportunities for liturgies, retreats, vocation awareness workshops and daily prayer
Proclaim and Witness to Catholic Identity
Give priority to religious instruction with opportunities for faith development and theological understanding
Participate in the sacramental life of the Church and model a living faith through the use of rituals and symbols
Foster devotion to Mary and the communion of saints
Ensure that Catholic identity permeates all endeavors: all classes and activities, procedures and policies, services and programs
Stand in Solidarity with those Marginalized by Poverty and Injustice
Promote policies and structures that reflect a climate of compassion for the poor and disadvantaged
Include education and advocacy for peace, justice, global awareness and care for the Earth
Prepare students to work toward the creation of a just society
Encourage ministry experiences that work with and serve the poor and marginalized
Support mission areas at home and abroad
Establish tuition and scholarship policies that open educational opportunities to the poor and disadvantaged
Foster and Invigorate a Community of Faith
Provide a disciplined, safe atmosphere in which students are free to grow and take responsibility for their own learning and for the life of the community
Sustain compassionate, respectful relationships among all stakeholders
Be in union with the Church through commitment to service and formation of community
Encourage faculty and staff to give daily witness to their integral role in communal faith formation
Embrace the human condition and welcome God’s healing
Celebrate the Value and Dignity of Each Person and Nurture the Development of the Whole Person
Promote respect for each individual as created in the image and likeness of God
Value the diversity of the human family and seek to reflect diversity among the student, faculty, and staff
Promote strong programs for personal, professional,and pastoral care
Offer co-curricular activities and programs that are important to a student’s holistic education
Strive to provide just remuneration for faculty and staff
Collaborate and Share Responsibility for the Mission
Empower all members of the community to share in the mission
Work with parents who are the primary educators
Collaborate with Edmund Rice Christian Brother ministries on local, regional, and international levels
Foster a deeper understanding of the vision of Blessed Edmund
Promote active participation in governance by boards and diocesan officials
Pursue Excellence in all Endeavors
Promote a strong academic curriculum and cultivate a desire for excellence
Develop an educational culture that fosters the growth of the whole person, higher-order thinking, and life-long learning
In November 2018 we received the results of our Office of Educational Services evaluation. Their report is available here.
