Wake up the World – Some Challenges Facing Faith Formators Today Fr Christopher Gleeson SJ, Provincial Delegate for Education and Mission Formation A presentation to the Marist Faith Formators’ Colloquium at Mittagong on 24 March 2014 Like many of you at this Marist Colloquium, I am sure, I have been fascinated by the addresses and homilies of Pope Francis SJ since his […]
No, you’re not entitled to your opinion
Every year, I try to do at least two things with my students at least once. First, I make a point of addressing them as “philosophers†– a bit cheesy, but hopefully it encourages active learning. Secondly, I say something like this: “I’m sure you’ve heard the expression ‘everyone is entitled to their opinion.’ Perhaps […]
‘Platonic Zen’ – A Spiritual Narrative and Exercises
A first-personal journey from dust to God, Dr Nicholas Coleman Those who attended the 2009 DAN Conference at Old Parliament House in Canberra will doubtless remember the spirited contribution of Dr Nicholas Coleman, Head of Religious Education at Wesley College, Melbourne and World Religions consultant and deputy director of the Interfaith Centre of Melbourne. Many teachers have appreciated Dr Nick’s Yr 7-9 […]
The What and How of Ultimate Questions – 2011 Conference Blog
What are the ‘Ultimate Questions’ that you explore in the classroom with your students? How do you engage them in the questioning process? These are two of the key questions delegates will explore together at the 2011 DAN Conference (18-20 April, Newington College, Stanmore). We’ll be presenting a ‘Making it Happen’ workshop at the Conference:  The Religion & Science Conversation […]
Engage with Islam, scholar urges
From The Age, August 9, 2010 MANY teachers lack a basic understanding of Islam and are left feeling uncomfortable and in urgent need of guidance on issues that involve Muslim students, according to a visiting British scholar. Peter Vardy, a specialist in religion and values education, says non-Muslim teachers are keen to be better informed to deal with a range […]
The Difference God Makes….
Daniel Stollenwerk reviews Cardinal George, OMI, The Difference God Makes: A Catholic Vision of Faith, Communion, and Culture (New York: Crossroad Publishing Co., 2009) It all goes back to Thomas’s Ipsum esse subsistens. Dons Scotus and William of Oakham steered us away from a medieval communion of nature, society and politics. Thomas Hobbes and John Locke eventually offered us the pursuit […]
Reflecting on Teaching Values
The secret to life is not to have everything you want, but to want everything you have. This was a quote presented to us at the Dialogue Australasia Seminar in Brisbane March 2009 on Teaching Values across the Curriculum. We had to say if we substantially agreed or disagreed with that comment. We had a moment to reflect, and then […]
Darwin 200
You won’t have to look far in 2009 before you bump into the world-wide celebrations of Charles Darwin’s legacy which extends beyond the natural and social sciences to all corners of our lives. The Bicentennial of Darwin’s birth and 150th anniversary of his seminal work, On The Origin of Species provides rich opportunities for questioning the views presented within evolutionary […]
The War for Children’s Minds (and a bit about teaching Humanism in Victorian schools)
I’m a fan of Stephen Law, because his insistence that religious education should encourage independent critical thought resonates with DAN’s raison d’etre. As such, Law’s book, The War for Children’s Minds which elaborates on this idea, should be prescribed reading for all RAVE teachers (make that every teacher, Head, parent, church leader….come to think of it, anyone responsible for the […]
People, get ready…..(for Advent)
Chris Welsh, Teaching Chaplain at Canberra Grammar School and member of the Dialogue Australasia journal Editorial Committee, responded to DAN’s request for an Advent reflection thus….
