USJ presents research on the ‘Perceptions of, and Attitudes to Catholic Schools’ in five Catholic Schools in Macao
USJ presents research on the ‘Perceptions of, and Attitudes to Catholic Schools’ in five Catholic Schools in Macao
15
Nov
15/11/2024
USJ held a presentation meeting for five local Catholic schools which had contributed to a research on ‘Perceptions of, and Attitudes to Catholic Schools’ Identity and Ethos in Macao: Towards a Common Framework of Catholic Schools’ Identity’, conducted by Fr. Lawrence The Reh, PhD..
On the 13th of November, the University of Saint Joseph (USJ) held a presentation meeting for staff of five Catholic schools in Macao which had contributed to important research on ‘Perceptions of, and Attitudes to Catholic Schools’ Identity and Ethos in Macao: Towards a Common Framework of Catholic Schools’ Identity’. The research was conducted by Fr. Lawrence The Reh, PhD., a Dominican priest in Macao, who presented findings from his doctoral thesis at the University.
Professor Stephen Morgan, Rector of USJ, opened the meeting, indicating the significance of the research. Fr. Lawrence drew on the background of key authors in the field, including documents from the Vatican, and he painted an overall positive, upbeat picture of the existence of Catholic identity and ethos in the schools, and, from his research, he set out areas for further development of these, as indicated by the schools themselves.
Prof. Keith Morrison presented findings that showed the positive presence of five key areas of Catholic identity in the schools, concerning: (i) mission and vision; (ii) school and community; (iii) human values in the schools; (iv) teaching religion in the school curriculum; and (v) school leaders, teachers, and students in the schools.
The research findings indicated that areas for further development in the schools had been identified by their teachers, parents, and students, and the presenters thanked the schools for their help and cooperation in enabling and supporting the conduct of the research.
