Photo by Johnathon Kelso

SMYRNA—It was back to the classroom for Catholic educators taking part in the Summer Institute of the Archdiocese of Atlanta June 14-16 at the Chancery.

The three-day summer institute provides professional development, collaboration and fellowship between faculty and staff of the 18 archdiocesan Catholic schools. The Catholic Schools office has hosted the annual event since 2014. Topics include technology, Catholic identity and faith formation. 

“Sharing ideas and preparing for the next upcoming school year and beyond ensure success and support for our students’ faith, academics and social emotional growth,” said Debbie Wheeler, program specialist for the Office of Catholic Schools. 

Hal Plummer, superintendent of Catholic schools, led a presentation on dealing with difficult people including peers, parents or students. He encouraged staff to remember the importance of patience and to stay open to God. 

We need to ask God to enlarge our hearts, said Plummer. 

“God is an amazing God; he answers prayers,” he said. “If we are just instruments of his love, we can be surprised by God all the time.”

Father Neil Dhabliwala, pastor of St. Catherine of Siena Church, is photographed during the Office of Catholic Schools Summer Institute held at the Chancery. Father Dhabliwala was a speaker for the closing day, June 16. Photo by Johnathon Kelso

Father Neil Dhabliwala, pastor of St. Catherine of Siena Church in Kennesaw, shared some of the reasons why young people leave the Catholic faith. Among them were church scandals, lack of understanding of the Mass and liturgy and disagreements concerning hot topics. 

“There’s a lot of work that can be done to just make the church more inviting, and welcoming, more engaging,” Father Dhabliwala told the group. “We don’t have to change who we are, but we can certainly be more joyful and more attractive, more welcoming and certainly be more intentional and kind.”

Next year’s institute is June 7-9, 2022.