The Mission of the Society of the Sacred Heart (Society) is to discover the Heart of Jesus and make the love of that Heart known to others. Sophia as Stewards are Partners in this Mission.
‘We are sent by the Church to communicate the love of the Heart of Jesus. In Him all find their true growth as persons and the way towards reconciliation with one another’
Society of the Sacred Heart, Constitution 10.
Today in response to the needs of the world the Mission has been expressed and defined by Four Global Apostolic Priorities:
- Education
- Spirituality
- Justice Peace and Integrity of Creation (JPIC)
- Formation
Underpinning this Mission are the Five Goals of Sacred Heart Education:
- Personal and Active Faith in God
- Deep Respect for intellectual values
- Building Community as a Christian value
- Social awareness which impels to action
- Personal growth in an atmosphere of wise freedom
As Partners in Mission with the Society, Sophia has responsibility for the Charism, Spirituality and Mission which ensure the special character of our four schools in Australia and New Zealand. Further, Sophia:
- Takes responsibility for the Vision, Mission and Values being lived out in the Schools
- Fosters the philosophy of education as envisioned by Saint Madeleine Sophie Barat
- Facilitates the Annual Goals Review meeting where the Schools report on how the Mission is lived out and how the Goals are being implemented
- Appoints a Director of Formation and Mission to guide and nurture the understanding of the Mission and its centrality in each school
- Monitors compliance with Canonical, Civil and Charitable obligations of the Schools in Australia and Canonical obligations in New Zealand.
Formation
Sophia has developed a Framework for Formation that spans Governance, Strategic Leadership, Operations and Compliance responsibilities of those who hold specific roles in the governance and management of each school. The Framework has been developed to support the growth in the understanding and practice of what it means to be a Sacred Heart Educator in each role.
‘Adapted to the capabilities of each one and directed towards responding to the challenges of the world, formation envisages the development of our spiritual, human and apostolic life’
Society of the Sacred Heart, Constitution 72