“BELONGING” is a strong, motivating force for eight teachers and staff from one Brisbane college who will join the Catholic Church this Easter.
“I honestly feel that I will be officially one of ‘us’ which to me is awesome,” 37-year-old, St Columban’s College, Caboolture teacher Paula Pellowe said.
Mrs Pellowe is one of the eight soon-to-be Catholics who have completed eight weeks of discernment and instruction guided by the school’s assistant principal for religious education and identity, Raechel Fletcher, and parish priest Fr David Pascoe.
“I have long wanted to make it ‘official’ to become a Catholic after wanting to join the Church for quite a number of years,” 39-year-old Julie Atkins, also a St Columban’s teacher, said.
Mrs Fletcher said forming trusting relationships had been essential in leading the eight staff members on their faith journey.
“This does not simply happen,” she said.
“Jesus was relational and present to his community at the time, and Father David has taken an active role in our college in being present to our community.”
Fr Pascoe said instruction for the college staff was similar to an RCIA course (Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults), but done “ in a school context rather than a parish context”.
“It’s brilliant. I’ve never heard of that number coming from a Catholic college at any one time before,” he said.
“When Raechel approached me I thought ‘well here’s the movement of the spirit’ lets take it from there.
“There are quite a few teachers in Catholic schools who are not Catholic, but live the ethos if you like.”
Mrs Atkins, a college religion teacher and pastoral and wellbeing leader, said her admission into the Church would help her “walk the walk and talk the talk” with students.
Her husband is a Catholic and said she was welcomed “warmly” into his strong Catholic family.
“I have three children who are all Catholic and attend Catholic schools at St Peter’s and St Columban’s College, Caboolture,” she said.
“I love both of the schools and the parish and how welcoming and approachable they are.”
She said her colleagues had also influenced her decision to become Catholic.
“Their compassion for students and people at the margins, and asking the questions, ‘what would Jesus do?’,” Mrs Atkins said.
“While I sometimes laugh, it is not a bad question to ask of ourselves sometimes when dealing with challenging students and families in our communities.”
She said Fr Pascoe has been understanding, open and welcoming.
Mrs Pellowe, a pastoral leader and Chinese teacher, said her two children also attended Catholic schools, and seeing their engagement had “inspired” her.
“I think from a very long time I have always had an inkling that something is missing in my life,” she said.
“I have always had faith and a belief in God, and was a Christian, however I honestly didn’t have the connection that I have gained through my work at St Columban’s.
“Secondly is the actual fact that I myself am working in a Catholic community.
“It is a funny feeling. Our school is a great community – one where you feel connected and like you belong. Kind of like an extension of family.
“The only problem is that although I felt like I was a part of the ‘family’, I was still on the outer – able to engage with Mass and liturgies, but not fully.
“Sort of watching from the sidelines I guess.
“This gradually over the past four or so years has kind of sat with me and it wasn’t until I was chatting with Raechel and I expressed this with her that I really thought I could become Catholic.”
Fr Pascoe said it was the role of Christians to evangelise.
“Even in the midst of the pain and the suffering the Church is going through, that shouldn’t stop us from being the Church and that is to be on mission and draw people closer to Christ,” he said.
“That is what we are called to do.
“There’s a really joyful expectation looking forward to Easter.”
