St Mary's staff attended professional development yesterday. Father Richard Leonard SJ led the day for all Western Region schools staff.

The topic for the day was "Catholic identity: How can Catholic Education form believers in a media saturated culture?"

As those involved in Catholic Education we are called upon to live out our faith - to speak and live out the Good News. A tough ask! We are sent to our culture as it is, not as we would like it to be. And whether we like it of not, the media is the modern day marketplace where minds and hearts are won and lost.

There were three sessions to this workshop:

1.  What is the media telling us about ourselves?

2.  What is on our agenda?

3.  What can we do about it in Catholic Education?

What strategies can we put in place to ensure that our people are prepared to critically engage with the media saturated culture while holding true to their faith in Jesus and the Community of the Church?

The Spirituality Day was well received by staff, who enjoyed Father Leonards knowledgeable and often humourous presentation.