Essential Elements
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Blessed Edmund Rice received a unique gift from God: A Gospel that reveals Jesus Christ as present and appealing to him in the poor. Young men were among the poor people of nineteenth century Ireland without access to basic education and religious instruction. Edmund responded to this need by establishing schools as well as founding the Congregation of Christian Brothers in 1802. Schools conducted by the Congregation of Christian Brothers are now established throughout the world. Today, the Edmund Rice Christian Brothers North America and their colleagues reaffirm the essential characteristics of an Edmund Rice Christian Brother Education. The Essential Elements were first written in 2000 after interviews, group discussions, surveys, and extensive participation by representatives of various communities. At a gathering in July of 2006, the power of these documents was reaffirmed by delegates from each ministry site and other Christian Brother stakeholders. Edmund Rice Christian Brother educational ministries continue to assure mission effectiveness because they can test their faithfulness to Edmund’s vision and their basic educational values against the background of clearly stated Essential Elements. The Essential Elements of an Edmund Rice Christian Brother Education find their source in ministry begun by Jesus Christ and their inspiration in the vision of Blessed Edmund Rice. The Essential Elements serve as a guide and standard in the Edmund Rice Christian Brothers’ current educational ministries and in future endeavors. |
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