Christocentric Cultural Responsiveness Sequence
Sequence Overview
The ACE Teaching Fellows and the Remick Leadership Programs require a sequence of workshops as an accompaniment to their respective graduate degree programs that promotes diversity, equity, inclusion, and critical consciousness through a framework of Christocentric Cultural Responsiveness (CCR). This sequence includes bias training, professional development sessions, and a culminating diversity statement. Animated by the Gospel and informed by the Church's past and enduring commitment to marginalized communities, this effort supports Catholic school teachers and leaders by normalizing a more equitable and just culture, expanding professional competencies, and encouraging prayer, self-reflection, and action.
Rationale
In recognition that God "created the visible world in all its richness, diversity, and order" (Catechism, 337) the ACE CCR Sequence recognizes diversity as a gift "of God,” wherein creation can more fully reflect God's glory of a pluralistic world. Three tenets inform program components and goals.
Every human person is created in the image of God (Genesis 1:27) with an inherent and inviolable dignity.
The human person is created in the imago Dei for communion with others. People only fully flourish when continually oriented toward the common good and able to participate in it to the best of their abilities (1 Corinthians 12:7).
Jesus’ command to love neighbor as oneself (Mt 22:39) informs actions that promote acceptance, equality, genuine encounter with the other, and justice.
Goals
To encourage a faith-based process of listening/prayer, study, action, and reflection to explore Christocentric Cultural Responsiveness.
To introduce a robust theological grounding for and of Christocentric Cultural Responsiveness.
To form participants in their ongoing understanding and response to undertaking Christocentric Cultural Responsiveness work in Catholic schools.
