FRANCISCAN Schools Australia is celebrating 18 years as an organisation in 2022, and has announced a new role to strengthen its mission and identity in schools.
“When we established FSA nearly two decades ago, we did so in the hope that schools sharing our Franciscan spirituality could support each other with the sharing of resources, in-service opportunities and vision,” Sr Catherine White, Australian Leader of the Missionary Franciscan Sisters said.
“Originally, there were only a handful of schools but the Holy Spirit has been with us and today this has grown to over 65 schools across Australia.”
The number includes 15 in Queensland including Padua College and Mount Alvernia College, both in Kedron, and Assisi Catholic College, in Upper Coomera.
With these numbers of schools, the organisation is strengthening its position by announcing highly experienced Brisbane educator and leader Alison Stone as its new animator of mission and identity.
“The need for schools to be animators of the mission of the Church has never been more vital,” FSA executive co-ordinator and Franciscan Father Stephen Bliss said.
“Franciscan spirituality speaks to us more than ever at this time – our young people need models of people simply living the Gospel life.
“St Francis and St Clare encourage us to see and experience God’s love and peace.”
Sr White said: “The Franciscan tradition has the depth to speak meaningfully to every generation and speaks powerfully to many of the issues that challenge our world community and Church today.”
“We are happy that Alison has accepted the position of animator as she has a depth of understanding of the tradition and is able to draw others into its richness,” she said.
In accepting the position Ms Stone said: “I am so grateful, and humbled by, the vision of the Franciscan Friars of the Holy Spirit Province and the Australian MFIC Sisters whose rich spirituality has always accompanied the poor and contributed so much to an enduring Catholic intellectual tradition.”
“School communities are the modern face of the Church and FSA is here for them.
“We have a big year ahead. FSA plans to launch a new website, build additional resources, offer formation experiences, connect and capacity build.
“We are hoping countries may be more accessible to allow for a pilgrimage to Assisi.
“In this way FSA members will experience that extraordinary spirituality of place and humbly walk in the footprints of Francis and Clare of Assisi.”
Now, FSA plans on building upon this strong 800-year tradition and way of life of St Francis and St Clare.
Schools in the Franciscan tradition see the Gospel way of life as relevant today as it was in the 13th century.
