From the East to West coast, Catholic education across Canada is imperative – but what about ensuring it remains offered in both official languages?
Sylvain Beauregard will examine this issue at this week’s Catholic Education: A National Conversation convention, which will take place in Ottawa from Sept. 22-24.
Combining his studies with his 25 years of Catholic education involvement, Mr. Beauregard has deep roots in theology and education.
With a Bachelor’s, Master’s and Ph. D in Theology from Laval University, Mr. Beauregard is well read in his field of study. Throughout his career he’s taught theology and philosophy in France, was the Pastoral Counsellor at CNDR and currently sits as the Executive Director for the Centre Notre-Dame de la Rouge.
Each year, more than 3,000 teenagers come to the Centre Notre-Dame de la Rouge’s centre for a spiritual experience, and it’s a place Mr. Beauregard looks forward to going to each day.
“Our 15 employees are engaged in faith education for youth and adults,” he explains.
He says a combination of factors led him to his work.
“My studies in philosophy, forestry and in theology have brought me to where I am, and there’s also the fact that I was a teacher for many years,” he explains. “Of course, my faith in Jesus Christ also brought me here, too.”
The CCSTA is pleased to welcome Mr. Beauregard to the microphone this week, as he will hit on the topic: “The Franco-Ontarian Catholic School in the hyper-modernist era: survive or follow Quebec?”
At a time when all of life components, including church, family, school, politics, consumerism, art and education are – as he puts it – in a state of crisis, Mr. Beauregard will ask delegates: “Threatened by secularization, will Ontario Catholic Schools, as in Québec, completely disappear, be fused into social values, or will they survive in a renewed identity?”.
His French presentation will outline the current education situation and will propose practical and philosophical solutions ‘from the inside’, though he won’t bring political solutions into the ring.
When it comes to sharing his point of view on the topic, Mr. Beauregard says there is no definitive answer.
“I can see both sides of the fence,” he says. “For many years I lived in Ontario and worked with youngsters from Ontario, but I actually live in Quebec. I have thus been associated with many conferences on this matter.”
As for his presentation this Saturday, he says he hopes delegates walk away with a message.
“Catholic education is an excellent way to rediscover ‘our roots’ in our post-modern society,” he says.
To learn more about Mr. Beauregard and the other speakers at the Catholic Education: A National Conversation, please visit the conference website.
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