Edmund Rice Christian Brothers North America Province seeks to continue the mission of Blessed Edmund in the Twenty-First Century by responding to the signs of our times and to the needs of today’s most vulnerable members of society. We have accepted the call to evangelize youth within the mission of the Catholic Church. We complete this work in a variety of settings, including Catholic schools and numerous outreach ministries that serve the people of God by responding to their very human needs. In these, and in parish, healthcare, counseling and other ministries, we follow the example of Blessed Edmund, who tended to the needs of the vulnerable and nurtured the dignity of each human person.
We Christian Brothers take great pride in acknowledging the past and present good works of our Brothers in schools and other ministries across the North American Province. We pledge to continue to be of service to the Church in our schools and other ministries by being faithful to God’s revelation to us in creation, the Gospel message of Jesus of Nazareth and the spirit and charism of Blessed Edmund.
The Essential Elements of an Edmund Rice Christian Brother Education
An Edmund Rice Christian Brother education provides Catholic and non-Catholic families a rigorous educational experience grounded in faith and service. Located in the United States and Canada, the schools educate children, young men, and young women in grades K-12.
Guided by the Essential Elements of a Christian Brother Education, Edmund Rice schools evoke a deep awareness of God’s loving presence as they have for over 200 years.
The Essential Elements of an Edmund Rice Christian Brother Education calls educational ministry sites and those working in them to:
I. Evangelize Youth within the Mission of the Church.
Proclaim the Good News of Jesus Christ in word and deed
Permeate the entire curriculum, activities, and all aspects of the educational process with the Gospel message of Jesus Christ
Encourage young people to a deeper relationship with Jesus Christ
Provide opportunities for liturgies, retreats, vocation awareness workshops and daily prayer
II. Proclaim and Witness to Catholic Identity.
Give priority to religious instruction with opportunities for faith development and theological understanding
Participate in the sacramental life of the Church and model a living faith through the use of rituals and symbols
Foster devotion to Mary and the communion of saints
Ensure that Catholic identity permeates all endeavors: all classes and activities, procedures and policies, services and programs
III. Stand in Solidarity with those Marginalized by Poverty and Injustice.
Promote policies and structures that reflect a climate of compassion for the poor and disadvantaged
Include education and advocacy for peace, justice, global awareness, and care for the Earth Edmund Rice Christian Brothers Office of Educational Services 2
Prepare students to work toward the creation of a just society
Encourage ministry experiences that work with and serve the poor and marginalized
Support mission areas at home and abroad
Establish tuition and scholarship policies that open educational opportunities to the poor and disadvantaged
IV. Foster and Invigorate a Community of Faith.
Provide a disciplined, safe atmosphere in which students are free to grow and take responsibility for their own learning and for the life of the community
Sustain compassionate, respectful relationships among all stakeholders
Be in union with the Church through commitment to service and formation of community
Encourage faculty and staff to give daily witness to their integral role in communal faith formation
Embrace the human condition and welcome God's healing
V. Celebrate the Value and Dignity of each Person and Nurture the Development of the Whole Person.
Promote respect for each individual as created in the image and likeness of God
Value the diversity of the human family and seek to reflect diversity among the students, faculty, and staff
Promote strong programs for personal, professional, and pastoral care
Offer co-curricular activities and programs that are important to a student's holistic education
Strive to provide just remuneration for faculty and staff
VI. Collaborate and Share Responsibility for the Mission.
Empower all members of the community to share in the mission
Work with parents who are the primary educators
Collaborate with Edmund Rice Christian Brother ministries on local, regional, and international levels
Foster a deeper understanding of the vision of Blessed Edmund
Promote active participation in governance by boards and diocesan officials
VII. Pursue Excellence in all Endeavors.
Promote a strong academic curriculum and cultivate a desire for excellence
Develop an educational culture that fosters the growth of the whole person, higher-order thinking, and life-long learning