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OVERVIEW |
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Within the Diocese of Menevia, there are 18
Primary schools and 3 Comprehensive Schools. These schools
cater for pupils aged 4 - 18 years of age. In addition,
there are active Catholic Chaplaincies in each of the three
secular Universities within the Diocese. Three priests act
as Chaplains to the Comprehensive Schools. Overall, there
are 3191 pupils in the Primary sector of whom 2437 are Catholic
and 754 are non-Catholic. In the Comprehensive sector, there
are 2533 pupils of whom 1678 are Catholic.
The total number of teachers in the Primary sector is 152 of whom
124 are Catholic. In the Comprehensive sector, the teacher
number is 138 of whom 72 are Catholic. Following Diocesan
policy, the Governing Bodies of the schools make every effort to
appoint Catholic teachers whenever a vacancy occurs.
All schools have Voluntary Aided status and are run in partnership
with the Local Education Authority in whose area the school is
situated. The Trustees of the Diocese appoint Foundation
Governors who are always constitute a majority on the Governing
Bodies. In the Diocese, good relationships exist between the
representatives of the State, both locally with Diocesan
Representatives serving on the Education Authorities and
nationally with the National Welsh Assembly, the body responsible
for education in Wales.
Religious Education is central to the life and mission of the
schools. A strict allocation of 10% of the overall
curriculum time is given to the teaching of Religious Education as
requested by the Bishop's Conference of England and Wales.
British law requires that all schools, Catholic and State, provide
a moral and spiritual framework for all children within the school
curriculum. Collective worship is a statutory requirement
and a daily act of collective worship is an obligatory requirement
in English civil law.
Over the past four years, most of our schools have undergone
statutory Inspection under the terms of the Education Act 1996.
Both the religious and secular education in the schools have been
praised from the Inspectors.
The Schools Commission of the Diocese was established to give
advice to schools on the management and administration of the
schools, and normally meets three times a year. It also
supports the Bishop in his oversight of all matters affecting the
teaching and curriculum of our schools as required by the Code of
Canon Law.
All of our schools have active parent associations who work hard
for the benefit of the schools in a variety of activities.
In all schools, close collaboration is encouraged with other
Christian communities. Most of our schools admit Fellow
Christian pupils. Indeed, many parents of non Catholic
children apply for admission to our schools.
As a consequence of the rural nature of the Diocese, with many
scattered and small communities, together with the problems of
distances involved, many Catholic children are unable to attend
our Catholic schools. Where this is the case, each parish is
responsible for providing religious instruction for these
children. Lay catechists assist the priests in the provision
of religious programmes in each parish.

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SCHOOLS |
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CARMARTHENSHIRE
Aided Secondary School
St John Lloyd
Havard Road
Llanelli SA14 8SD
Tel: (01554) 772 589
Headteacher: Mr Paul White
Email: office@stlloydcarms.sch.uk
Aided Primary Schools
St Mary's
Union Street
Carmarthen SA31 3DE
Tel: (01267) 234297
Headteacher: Mr Martin O’Toole
Email: staff.stmarysc@ysgolccc.org.uk
St Mary's
Havard Road
Llanelli SA14 8SD
Tel: (01554) 759178
Headteacher: Mrs Patricia Way
Email: atmin.stmarysl@ysgolccc.org.uk
CEREDIGION
Aided Primary School
St Padarn's
Llanbadarn Road
Aberystwyth SY23 1EZ
Tel: (01970) 630632
Headteacher: Mr A G James
Email: prif@st-padarnsrcp.ceredigion.sch.uk
PEMBROKESHIRE
Aided Primary Schools
Holy Name
Vergam Terrace
Fishguard SA65 9DF
Tel: (01348) 872506
Headteacher: Mrs Shelagh Robb
Email: head.holyname@pembrokeshire.gov.uk
Mary Immaculate
Merlin's Hill
Haverfordwest SA61 1PH
Tel: (01437) 762324
Headteacher: Mr Patrick Mansfield
Email: head.maryimmaculate@pembrokeshire.gov.uk
St Francis
Priory Road
Milford Haven SA73 2EE
Tel: (01646) 694830
Headteacher: Mrs Rachel Best, BA
Email: admin.stfrancis@pembrokeshire.gov.uk
St Mary's
Britannia Road
Pembroke Dock SA72 6PD
Tel: (01646) 682879
Headteacher: Mrs Sharon Nichols
Email: admin.stmarys@pembrokeshire.gov.uk
St Teilo
Greenhill
Tenby
Tel: (01834) 843995
Headteacher: Mr N Atherton, B Ed
Email: Head.stteilos@pembrokeshire.gov.uk
POWYS
Aided Primary School
St. Joseph’s
Silver Street
Brecon
Tel: (01874) 624488
Headteacher: Mrs Karen Lewis
Email: office@st-josephs.powys.sch.uk
SWANSEA
Aided Secondary School
Bishop Vaughan R.C. Comprehensive School
Mynydd Garnlwyd Road
Morriston
Swansea SA6 7QG
Tel: (01792) 772006
Headteacher: Mr Joseph Blackburn
Email: bishop.vaughan.school@swansea-edunet.gov.uk
Aided Infants School
St Joseph's
Caepistyll Street
Swansea SA1 2BF
Tel: (01792) 653609
Headteacher: Miss Anne Hacche
Email: st.josephs.infants@swansea-edunet.gov.uk
Aided Primary Schools
St Joseph's
Caepistyll Street
Swansea SAI 2BE
Tel: (01792) 653609
Headteacher: Matthew O’Brien
Email: st.josephs.rcjuniorschool@swansea-edunet.gov.uk
St David's
West Cross Avenue
West Cross, Swansea
Tel: (01792) 512212
Headteacher: Mr Colin Greenwood
Email: st.davids.primaryschool@swansea-edunet.gov.uk
St Illtyd's
Jersey Road
Bonymaen
Swansea SA1 8HR
Tel: (01792) 462104
Headteacher: Mr David Lewis
Email: st.illtyds.school@swansea-edunet.gov.uk
St Joseph's
Clydach
Swansea SA6 SNX
Tel: (01792) 842494
Headteacher: Mr Michael Way
Email: St.Joseph.RCPrimary.School@swansea-edunet.gov.uk
NEATH PORT TALBOT COUNTY BOROUGH
Aided Secondary School
St Joseph's R.C. Comprehensive School
Newton Avenue
Aberavon,
Port Talbot SA12 6EY
Tel: (01639) 884305
Headteacher: Mr Mike Callus
Email: m.a.callus@npt.gov.uk
Aided Infants School
St Joseph's
Water Street
Port Talbot SA12 6LE
Tel: (01639) 882579
Acting Headteacher: Mrs Julie Beaumont-Rees
Email: stjosephs.inf@neath-porttalbot.gov.uk
Aided Junior Schools
St Joseph's
Nobel Avenue
Aberavon
Port Talbot SA12 6YN
Tel: (01639) 769743
Headteacher: Mr Michael Daley
Email: stjosephs.jnr@neath-porttalbot.gov.uk
St Therese's
Southdown Road
Sandfields SA12 7HL
Tel: (01639) 882797
Headteacher: Mr Christopher Welsh
Email: stthereses.pri@npt.gov.uk
St Joseph's
Cook Rees Avenue
Neath SA11 1BW
Tel: (01639) 635099
Headteacher: Mrs Claire Dineen
Email: stjosephs.pri@npt.gov.uk |
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CATECHISIS |
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Personnel
We have a Diocesan Catechetical Team, consisting of
the Co-ordinator and some ten people from different areas of the
Diocese. These are religious and lay people who are involved with
various areas of catechesis, either in a training or an advisory
capacity, in their own spare time,
The priests of the Diocese undertake pre-marital catechesis in most
parishes, with married couples assisting to some extent. Some of the
priests take charge of RCIA and the catechesis of parents whose
children are to be baptized. ln a few of the smaller parishes the
priest undertakes the catechesis of children and young people, In
other parishes, priests select their catechists from the members of
the parish,
The religious and lay people of the Diocese are involved in
different forms of catechesis in various parishes. This may include
RCIA, Bible study groups, the catechesis of parents whose children
are ready for baptism, preparation for other sacraments, and the
catechesis of children, young people and adults. Catechesis in many
parishes involves some of the teachers from the Diocesan Catholic
schools. In some parishes parents are engaged in the catechesis of
their own children, particularly in programmes of catechesis for
sacramental preparation.
Catechetical Needs
The situation of this Diocese presents a mixed
picture. While a considerable percentage of the Catholic population
is to be found in the towns of Swansea, Neath and Part Talbot, a
large number live in smaller towns. or in isolated rural parishes in
Mid and West Wales. The catechetical needs of these parishes and
deaneries are therefore very different, and the situation is further
complicated by the need for catechesis through the medium of Welsh
in certain areas. Furthermore, while the larger towns are supplied
with both Catholic secondary and primary schools, there is a total
absence of Catholic schools in many areas of the Diocese.
For many years we have become very aware of the need for catechesis
from the cradle to the grave, and this philosophy has influenced the
Diocesan Catechetical Team in the planning of activities.
The Diocesan Catechetical Team regard the training and support of
parish catechists as one of its chief aims, since in the modern
world it is increasingly important that lay people, especially
parents, are fully engaged in the catechesis of their children. The
involvement of Lay people in catechesis is also important in the
strengthening of modern parish communities. This is a trend which it
is hoped to develop further in future years
The main areas of catechetical development in the Diocese over
the last five years have been as follows:
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Catechesis for parents and for family life
Various parenting programmes have been followed in different
deaneries, including training sessions with parents involved in
their own children's catechesis; training sessions for parents
involved with Confirmation programmes; and study of lectionary-based
catechesis for parishes throughout the Diocese.
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Catholic Marriage and Family Life Ministry: A new
Director of the Family Life Ministry has been appointed recently. A
significant number of people from different parishes across the
Diocese are involved in this work.
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Catechesis for children not attending Catholic
Schools: This is a great need in this diocese because of the
scattered population in rural areas where there are no Catholic
schools, and also because of the choice some parents make to send
their children to schools where they can be taught through the
medium of Welsh, their mother tongue. At present, the numbers
involved vary from parish to parish.
Opportunities need to be created so that priests, school governors,
parents and all parishioners are well informed about available
catechetical material.
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Catechesis for Youth: The most successful Youth
Group in the Diocese is the Youth to Lourdes Group, who concentrate
their activities on fund raising for and giving assistance to those
going an pilgrimage.
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Catechesis for sacramental preparation:
Catechesis for sacramental preparation; there have been various
training days for parish catechists and for anyone involved with the
preparation of children for the Sacraments. Training days have also
been organised for Eucharistic Ministers.
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Catechesis for Travelling People: This has taken
place in a few areas of the Diocese, and has concentrated on
preparation for the reception of the Sacraments.
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Catechesis for Adults: Over the last four years,
the Diocesan Catechetical Team have been engaged in writing a new
Diocesan programme, which is intended to provide a basis for new and
existing catechists, to help them explore the foundations of the
Catholic faith. The programme seeks to encourage adults to reflect
on their own individual religious experience, and to deepen their
knowledge and understanding of the faith, The ten units will be
developed so as to link their experience with relevant passages from
Scripture and the Catechism of the Catholic Church; and to include
other sources of spirituality such as poetry, music and prayers.
The programme was presented to Bishop Mark Jabalé OSB in October
2007, and received his approval and commendation, The course is now
under way; Unit I took place on 2nd February 2008, Unit 2 on 1st
March, Unit 3 on 5th April, The remaining units will be presented
through 2008, using the first Saturday of each month (not August).
It was decided to present the course in Swansea to begin with; the
Team hope to present it in the western parishes of the Diocese
later.
The units are as follows
Unit 1 - the nature of belief; the choices we make; Revelation in
Scripture and in the person of Christ.
Unit 2 - God the Father; the concept of perfect fatherhood; Creator;
Almighty; the holiness of God.
Unit 3 - Jesus Christ; the Incarnation; the only begotten Son true
God from true God,
Unit 4 - Jesus as Saviour; as Good Shepherd; as teacher; as healer.
Unit 5 - the Passion, death and resurrection of Christ,
Unit 6 - The Ascension; Pentecost; the coming of the Holy Spirit.
Unit 7 - The Church; one, holy, catholic, apostolic.
Unit 8 - Our Lady.
Unit 9 - Sacraments of Initiation.
Unit 10 - Sacraments of commitment and healing.
Details of this and of other events organised by the Diocesan
Catechetical Team will be found when appropriate in Menevia News.
Groups preparing for the Catholic Certificate in Religious Studies
meet on a number of Wednesdays during the year; details may be
obtained from Sr. Angela Murray or Sr, Carmel Reynolds.
The Pastoral Resources
Centre
Members of the Diocesan Catechetical Team were
aware for many years of the need for a centre where resource
materials could be held, and this awareness was reinforced by the
requests received from several of the Diocesan clergy. From 1995
until 2002, premises were made available by the kindness of the
Ursulines of Jesus at the Stella Marls Centre in Swansea. As a
result of the decision to rebuild that centre, the resources were
moved in September 2002 to the Curial Offices in Greenhill, Swansea.
This then became the Diocesan Pastoral and Resources Centre, and is
run by members of the Catechetical Team.
Several Diocesan and parish groups make use of the facilities at the
Centre; bookings should be made through Sr. Mary Carr UJ on Swansea
65281. There is now an extensive library at the Centre with books on
all aspects of religion, including a large selection of books useful
for teachers and anyone working in parish catechetics. Books may be
borrowed by anyone, though we do ask that they are returned within a
reasonable time. There are always new and second-hand books on sale;
also cards, including Mass cards, sympathy cards, and greeting cards
of all kinds, with a wide range of cards at Christmas and Easter.
Books can also be ordered through the Centre; enquiries on this
should be made to Jacky Wykes on 0169-842662 (evenings). In order to
meet running costs, the Team invite donations from any groups using
the Centre.
Sr. Eugenie Murnion cp. Jacqueline Wykes
April 2008 |
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External Link
Catechism of the Catholic Church
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