Who We Are
The Catholic Teachers Guild is not an alternative to the Ontario English Catholic Teachers Association (OECTA). The Guild has a much broader constituency but a more limited purpose. OECTA legitimately represents the interests of teachers employed by publicly funded English speaking Catholic schools. The Catholic Teachers Guild is open to any Catholic involved in education; teachers, educational assistants, support personnel, daycare workers, university professors, RCIA instructors, catechists, teachers who work for Catholic school boards, teachers who work for public school boards as well as teachers who work in private schools. The Catholic Teachers Guild is not a labour organization. It is a lay organization which exists to help teachers deepen their spirituality as teachers.
The Catholic Teachers Guild is not out to ‘fix’ the Catholic Education system in Ontario. Publicly funded Catholic education in Ontario is a complex, historical, political system that requires the ongoing collective stewardship of everyone involved: families, parishes, taxpayers, trustees, management, teachers, federations etc. The Catholic Teachers Guild does not think that teachers can wash their hands of responsibility for problems that exist. We encourage our members to be active in bringing about change they feel is needed. Members are encouraged to become active in their federations if they feel that the leadership is not representing their interests, to be active as voters in elections, to be active as parents etc. The mission of the Guild is limited to the spiritual dimension of the teaching vocation.
The Catholic Teachers Guild is not a group of angry Catholics who think themselves as holier than others. It is not a group of nostalgic people who long for the old days. It is composed of teachers who seek to bring to life the genuine fruits of the Second Vatican Council. When describing ourselves, we avoid using unhelpful dichotomies such as left/right, conservative/liberal, orthodox/heretical but, instead, use the adjective ‘faithful’. The Guild seeks to build up the church, not create division.
The Catholic Teachers Guild is not first and foremost a service provider. It is rather, an invitation to community. It is a way of encouraging teachers to be faithful in communion with their colleagues. While fostering community, the Catholic Teachers Guild is not a substitute for parish life. Part of deepening the spirituality of the teacher is learning how to integrate one’s profession with family, parish and neighbourhood life.
The Catholic Teachers Guild is not out to ‘fix’ the Catholic Education system in Ontario. Publicly funded Catholic education in Ontario is a complex, historical, political system that requires the ongoing collective stewardship of everyone involved: families, parishes, taxpayers, trustees, management, teachers, federations etc. The Catholic Teachers Guild does not think that teachers can wash their hands of responsibility for problems that exist. We encourage our members to be active in bringing about change they feel is needed. Members are encouraged to become active in their federations if they feel that the leadership is not representing their interests, to be active as voters in elections, to be active as parents etc. The mission of the Guild is limited to the spiritual dimension of the teaching vocation.
The Catholic Teachers Guild is not a group of angry Catholics who think themselves as holier than others. It is not a group of nostalgic people who long for the old days. It is composed of teachers who seek to bring to life the genuine fruits of the Second Vatican Council. When describing ourselves, we avoid using unhelpful dichotomies such as left/right, conservative/liberal, orthodox/heretical but, instead, use the adjective ‘faithful’. The Guild seeks to build up the church, not create division.
The Catholic Teachers Guild is not first and foremost a service provider. It is rather, an invitation to community. It is a way of encouraging teachers to be faithful in communion with their colleagues. While fostering community, the Catholic Teachers Guild is not a substitute for parish life. Part of deepening the spirituality of the teacher is learning how to integrate one’s profession with family, parish and neighbourhood life.