Towards a Distinctive and Inclusive Theology of Catholic Education Studies

Sean Whittle is a Senior Lecturer in Catholic Education at St Mary’s University, Twickenham, and a member of the research centre CERRL.

"It is at the grassroots level of parish and deanery, that I first met Professor John Sullivan, some two years ago now. He had accepted an invitation to sit on our new Deanery Synodal Council. As Dean, I was made aware of his particular academic gifts by his former parish priest, but also his extensive involvement both in his own parish and other parishes in the deanery. It is only this aspect of John’s life that I am qualified to speak of, but one could argue it is the most important. I have seen him as a man of many parts; musician, dancer, dish washer, kind listener, being just a few. The picture I am sketching here is of a man who delights to be among his brethren, responding generously to invitations to speak on different topics of contemporary concern in the Church, but simply happy to be part of parish and deanery life. In short, a man who is very much at home among the grass roots. Catholic education has been John’s area of expertise and practice over many years. His academic achievements have been significant. None of this should obscure the fact that he has recognised and sought to live the one thing necessary which animates all else; to turn to Christ, to walk with him and know him better. It is in this light, surely, that the following contributions ought to be read."Monsignor John Walsh Dean, Sefton Coast North Parishes, RC Archdiocese of Liverpool

• 1. Introduction: John Sullivan and the development of a distinctive and inclusive Theology of Catholic Education Studies Part 1: Exploring the central themes in John Sullivan’s writings 2. On Being a “Scribe of the Kingdom”: The Theologian as the prophetic Voice of the Tradition. A meditation on Matthew 13:51-53 3. Mediating a space like no other: A response to the work of Professor John Sullivan 4. Holding Heaven and Earth in View: A Reflection on John Sullivan’s Dialectical Understanding of Catholic Education with some help from Thomas Merton 5. Lights for the Path: A Transcendental-Phenomenological Exploration of the Question of Personal Identity in its relation to the Sacramental Capacity of the Educator 6. ‘Caught and taught?’: the joy of being a Catholic parent in the 21st Century 7. ‘For All of Us, Our Task Is to Learn How to Love’: Challenging and Resourcing Adult Education in the Catholic Faith Community Part 2: Examples of John Sullivan’s spheres of influence 8. Reflections on the Doctoral Journey 9. ‘Each pupil is made in the image and likeness of God’ 10. The MA in Catholic school leadership at St Mary’s University: An ongoing legacy of John Sullivan’s insights and inspiration 11. CEOs leading Catholic Education: Who would have thought it? Chapter 12. Applying Faith, Hope and Love to Leadership Practice in Challenging Contexts 13. Christian Education Leadership: a labour of love, grounded in faith, and inspired by hope 14. Promoting Catholic Culture in Education 15. “Doing Catholic Mission” in the Contemporary HE Sector: A Time to Dig Deep to promote “Education in the Round”? 16. Nurturing Communities of Practice for Catholic Education Part 3: John Sullivan in Relation to Religious Education and Religious Identity 17. Catholic school Religious Education in a secular, de-traditionalised culture 18. The Religious Education academic legacy of John Sullivan: The importance of good access to one’s own religious tradition 19. Noddings’ Ethic of Care and the Teaching of Religious Education: Demonstrating a shared Vision with Sullivan 20. Conclusion: Afterword