Waldron Mercy Academy is proud to announce that two of our esteemed staff members, Greg Soltis, Director of Religious Education and Outreach, and Bonnie Guarini, 4th Grade Religion & Math Teacher, have been selected to participate in the prestigious CLEAR project at Villanova University. This initiative, which stands for "Children, Liturgy, Ecology and Renewal" (CLEAR), is designed to equip participants with deeper theological insights and practical tools for nurturing the faith of children in their respective settings.
About the CLEAR Project
The CLEAR project is a unique program offered by Villanova University’s College of Professional Studies. It brings together educators from Catholic schools and faith leaders from various Christian parishes across the region. Through lectures, discussions, and immersive experiences, participants explore ways to identify the gifts and challenges of children today and their interplay with their prayer, faith perspective, and the environment. Fellows then develop opportunities for children in their respective communities.
Waldron Mercy’s Participation
We are thrilled that Greg Soltis and Bonnie Guarini have been chosen as 1 of 13 pairs from religious institutions in the greater Philadelphia area. Their participation is not only a testament to their dedication to Catholic education and the Critical Concern of Care for the Environment, but also a reflection of Waldron Mercy Academy's commitment to nurturing leaders who embody the values of our faith.
Mr. Soltis' role as Director of Religious Education and Outreach involves cultivating a vibrant spiritual life at Waldron Mercy Academy. Through his participation in CLEAR, he aims to bring new ideas and fresh perspectives to our religious programs, enriching the faith journey of our students.
“This is an amazing opportunity to get to know, support, and learn from leaders of various Christian denominations who are committed to the faith development of children. Our fellows have the opportunity to deepen our understanding of children, ecology, and worship and how they can complement and strengthen each other. We hope to help children appreciate that we are all connected.” - Greg Soltis
As a 4th-grade teacher of Religion and Math, Mrs. Guarini brings a unique perspective to the program. Her involvement in CLEAR will deepen her ability to weave Catholic teachings into both the academic and moral development of her students, making faith an active part of their daily lives.
“The CLEAR project brings together faith leaders from different denominations in the Philadelphia area to learn together how we can make liturgy vibrant and enliven children's faith and imagination. We hope to better engage children to belong, believe, and become stewards of God's creation. We want our students to be leaders of faith who care about each other and our world. We hope they will develop deep love for our earth and will lead their generation to solve environmental issues and protect our planet.” - Bonnie Guarini
A Reflection from Waldron Mercy’s Leadership
“We are honored that Waldron Mercy Academy has been selected to participate, and are incredibly grateful to Mr. Greg Soltis and Mrs. Bonnie Guarini for their enthusiastic response to the invitation to serve as CLEAR Fellows. Their generous commitment of time and talent to this important initiative will undoubtedly have a profound and positive impact on our students and the wider Waldron Mercy Academy community. - Dr. Jacqueline Coccia, Head of School
Our participation in the CLEAR project underscores our school’s mission of fostering the holistic development of each student. Through this initiative, we hope to further integrate the values of the Catholic faith into every aspect of our students’ education.
Stay tuned for updates from Mr. Soltis and Mrs. Guarini as they embark on this exciting journey and share their learnings with our school community!
Opmerkingen