The Distance Learning Programmes in Catholic Theology

The Distance Learning programmes in Catholic Theology, led by Durham University’s Centre for Catholic Studies (CCS), are designed so that participants can work through material at their own pace, studying equally well in any time zone and in many different life situations, alongside work, ministry, family or caring obligations. 

In addition to the Postgraduate Certificate, the Postgraduate Diploma, and the MA, students can now enrol for a single module. Students with a BA or BSc who have not studied Theology or a related discipline before, are able to apply for the core module, ‘Catholic Theology: A Preliminary Tour’ and proceed to the MA following its successful completion. The single module is also a standalone option for Continual Professional Development and general interest.  Further details are available at Distance Learning – Durham University

The CCS offer a Bursary Fund specifically to support students on these distance learning programmes – see CCS Bursary for Distance Learning 2025-26 - Durham University for information.

If you have any questions about these Distance Learning programmes, please do not hesitate to contact the CCS Manager - theresa.phillips@durham.ac.uk

Please share details of this opportunity through any avenues available to you, including your local parish and diocesan bulletins.  Let’s get the word out about this great opportunity!

ROE Plenary Meeting July 4th 2024

ROE PLENARY MEETING:

Zoom 10:30 – 12:30 July 4th, 2024

SAVE THE DATE          

FAO Major Superiors of Religious Orders who are trustees or founders of schools and colleges.

Reports will be provided on the meetings with CES and DSCs concerning the Bishops’ Directives, Catholic Schools Inspection, and the Religious Education Directory. It is encouraging to note the influence that ROE is having on these national discussions.

You can email Brenda Wallace fcJ  brendawallacefcj.roe@gmail.com with your intention to join the Meeting! 

Education Officer for The Gaudete Trust

The Gaudete Trust invites applications for the role of Education Officer to lead their executive team and operations across 18 schools.

The Gaudete Trust was established in 2023 by five Religious Orders, following a three-year collaborative venture steered by a working group of the National Association of Religious Orders in Education (ROE). The mainspring of the Trust is the desire of Religious Orders to continue to put their charisms at the service of the Church. By adopting a collaborative approach to trusteeship, the Gaudete Trust offers those Religious Orders an alternative way of continuing to serve Catholic education. The Gaudete Trust is a legal entity with the authority to administer those legal, financial, and inspirational responsibilities of educational trusteeship that were formerly exercised by individual Religious Orders. It is a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) recognised by the Charity Commission and a Public Juridic Person recognised by the Catholic Church.

This is a new and creative opportunity for someone to work with this ground-breaking collaborative trust in its early days. The Trustees are looking for someone with the capacity to develop the role creatively and flexibly in response to the needs of this new family of Religious Order schools.

Joining The Gaudete Trust means being part of a pioneering initiative shaping the future of Catholic education. With flexibility, ongoing support, and the opportunity to make a meaningful impact, this role offers both challenge and reward.

For further information on this exciting opportunity, please contact brendawallacefcj.roe@gmail.com

Rejoicing in the rich heritage of Religious Orders in education

By Sr Brenda Wallace fcj:

Sr Brenda at the launch of ROE

Religious Orders in Education, (ROE) is a collaborative endeavour launched in 2019 whose main purpose is to enrich Catholic education in England and Wales by supporting Religious Orders in their mission as trustees or founders of schools and colleges. To this end we celebrate and build on the rich heritage of Religious Orders in education and support them in continuing to articulate and develop their particular charisms.

Soon after the foundation of our Association, a working party was established to explore the formation of a Collaborative Trust with the aim of providing a service for those Religious Congregations that wish to transfer their responsibilities of educational trusteeship.

The Collaborative Trust has been given the name Gaudete, a name that proclaims that as a new community of schools we rejoice in the good news of the Gospel, we rejoice in the Holy Spirit who is enabling us to create something new and is teaching us what true collaboration means, and we rejoice in the rich heritage of Religious Orders in education. 

The Gaudete Trust will exercise, fully or in part, according to need, those legal, financial, and inspirational responsibilities of educational trusteeship that were formerly carried out by these individual congregations. The Bishops’ Conference formally approved the establishment of the Gaudete Trust as a PJP in Spring 2022 and approved the appointment of the first Foundation charity Trustees at the end of May. Membership is open to any Religious Order but there are five founding congregations: 

• Christian Brothers

• The Sisters of Charity of St Paul the Apostle

• De La Mennais Brothers

• The Faithful Companions of Jesus

• La Sainte Union

As members of the Gaudete Trust, these Religious Orders will be able to remain engaged and involved with their schools.

The Gaudete Trust Vision and Guiding Principles for Education are available here.