Spiritus with England, Ireland and Scotland

ACU’s La Salle Academy recently held an online international faith formation and leadership program designed for Catholic school leaders, teachers, youth ministers and those working in Church organisations to support Catholic schools. Spiritus is a unique faith formation and leadership program that equips participants to lead evangelisation in Catholic schools and Church ministry.

Developed by ACU’s La Salle Academy, the Spiritus program is also designed to train and certify leaders in the Catholic Leaders Formation Network (CLFN) and Catholic Schools Youth Ministry International (CSYMI) Programs.

Between April and June 2021, more than 100 school principals, teachers, priests and leaders in Catholic education offices from England, Ireland and Scotland attended six online plenary gatherings. Participants engaged in a range of modules, including:

• Catholic Schools as Centres of the New Evangelisation
• Equipping Teachers and Leaders for the New Evangelisation
• The Interrelated Components of Evangelisation in a Catholic School.

Between each plenary session, participants also gathered in smaller Flame communities. An integral component of the Spiritus program, Flame communities provided participants with the opportunity to pray, share and receive spiritual formation in a small group environment.

The delivery of Spiritus online followed a successful in-person program conducted by the La Salle Academy in England and Rome in 2019 and built on online programs delivered widely across Australia in 2021 when COVID restrictions permitted.

Spiritus 2021 is an example of ACU’s ongoing commitment to Catholic education, innovation in faith formation innovation and best-practice online learning, in circumstances where international travel is not possible. Spiritus is also an example of how faith practice can be intentionally and explicitly promoted in Catholic schools in a respectful way that always invites but never proselytises.

Participants shared their genuine appreciation and sincere gratitude for the formation at the conclusion of the program, with various descriptions of Spiritus as an anointed program that delivered an integrated model of faith formation and faith promotion which met contemporary needs, an experience that challenged, nourished and affirmed, and a very helpful program confirming that faith formation and evangelisation are key ingredients in a Catholic school.

Mr Peter Woods, Director, Teacher Faith Formation Programs at La Salle Academy said, “Spiritus 2021 was an inspiring experience. We stepped out in faith in the COVID-climate, not sure what to expect, and witnessed the action of the Holy Spirit uniting us across the world with a vision for evangelisation. We are fully committed to continue the journey with these leaders in the coming years, especially through the Catholic Leaders Formation Network.”

Pictured: Spiritus Canberra group June 2021

If you want to learn more about the Spiritus program, please contact Professor Br David Hall fms, Dean, La Salle Academy.