From the Parish House

Last Thursday evening, I attended Our Lady of Good Counsel Primary School Production of What’s the Crime Mr Wolf?  The plot follows a crazy court case in which Mr Wolf acts in his own defence against the prosecutor Mr Hu-Man.  Witnesses for the prosecution included Little Red Riding Hood, the Three Little Pigs and the Mole.  In the end Mr Wolf is acquitted by the jury made up of forest animals.  Apparently, the wolf is a marginalised animal who has been misunderstood!  It was a very funny and fun filled evening.  The cast, made up of the entire school population, did a fantastic job supported by a terrific and talented staff who made sure costumes, props, sound and light supported the students.

The production made me reflect on the importance of the arts in education and in faith.  You could see the absolute joy and excitement on so many of the students faces as they bounced on to the stage singing and dancing.  Some were a little self-conscious, but all were engaged and having a go.  They all must have been buoyed by the energetic and regular applause by a super enthusiastic audience!

The performing arts promote self-expression and creativity, they fire the imagination, call for teamwork and collaboration.  They allow us to suspend disbelief, and to explore themes, topics, worlds, people and places that we may not otherwise.  They draw on skills and aptitudes that may not be summoned in other areas of the curriculum.

The raft of skills developed, and the multiple worlds opened to us by the performing arts, are the very things that are also needed for faith development.  Faith is not just a set of propositions to believe or a catechism to memorise.  Christian faith is the opening up to a world shaped by the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  That is why I like to ask students at Mass – ‘what did you hear in the gospel today?’  Their responses often take me by surprise.  I also like to ask them ‘what does this gospel make you think?’ or ‘what kind of world does this text imagine?’

These types of questions and approaches to faith are based on the assumption that God’s activity amongst us is ongoing and unfolding.  They presume that the gospel is a call into a world not yet fully known.  Our imaginations and creativity can work in collaboration with the God of love, mercy, forgiveness and compassion to open up a new world based on the gospel.

Children can play a crucial role in breaking open the Word of God and its call to a new promise and a new future.  The performing arts should not be underestimated for their impact on religious education and faith development.

By Fr Brendan Reed