Annual Appreciation Dinner of Diocesan Schools for the Academic Year 2022/2023
為答謝教區九所直屬學校的校監、校長、中、高層管理人員在剛完結學年內勤勉的付出，以及學校校董會各成員共同為學校決策作出貢獻，教區天主教教育委員會於二零二三年七月十三日晚上假京都酒店二樓舉行了2022/2023學年「教區學校學年答謝宴」。是次宴會由天主教澳門教區李斌生主教主持，同時邀得中央人民政府駐澳門特別行政區聯絡辦公室教育與青年工作部李雪飛部長；教育及青年發展局龔志明局長和阮佩賢副局長；天主教學校聯會監事朱裳修女；澳門教區梁文燕托兒所劉小玲總監等嘉賓出席，與在場的學校及校董會共七十名代表一同分享各校在剛完結學年內的喜悅及成果。
The Diocesan Commission for Catholic Education celebrated the diligence and dedication of school supervisors, principals, and senior management, as well as the selfless contributions of the members of the school managing committees from the nine diocesan schools, with the Annual Appreciation Dinner for the 2022/2023 academic year. The event took place on 13 July 2023, at the Chinese Restaurant of Metropole Hotel Macao and was officiated by the Most Reverend Bishop D. Stephen Lee Bun-Sang of the Catholic Diocese of Macao. Distinguished guests included Mr. Li Xuefei, Director-General of the Department of Education and Youth Work of the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the Macao SAR; Mr. Kong Chi-Meng and Ms. Iun Pui-In, Director and Deputy Director of the Education and Youth Development Bureau; Sister Maria Chu Sheung, Supervisor of the Macao Catholic Schools Association; and Ms. Lau Sio-Leng, Director of the Creche Diocesana Helen Liang Centro Familia. Together, they joined seventy representatives from the Diocesan Schools and their Managing Committees to celebrate the recent accomplishments and joy of the concluding school year.
李主教在致辭時，提及隨著兩所聖羅撒學校在過去的一個學年加入了教區的大家庭後，教區屬校的數目增至九所，學校校董會成員總數亦達83席。他更特別表揚了過去一年所有教區學校的卓越成就，並對各人的奉獻與愛心表示感謝。李主教亦引用了《箴言》22章6節，重申教育工作者的重要使命不僅是傳授學術知識，也是藉著天主教教育賦予學生正確的價值觀。他強調在科技急速發展的時代，社會及家庭環境愈趨複雜，學校教育需要跟上時代的步伐，並呼籲各校在課程中融入人工智能教育及其應用，以激發學生的思維和問題解決能力，令學生有充足自信、自律、同理心及關愛來面對今後的世界。同時，李主教亦提醒各校在追求科技進步的同時，不能忘記天主教教育的核心價值和使命，並引述了《格林多前書》中以愛德作為我們追求知識指南針的教誨，社會及家庭的幸福是建立於人與人之間良好的關愛關係，沒有愛的科技只會帶領人類墮落，步向滅亡。
During his address, the Bishop highlighted the addition of two Santa Rosa de Lima Schools to the Diocesan School family in the past school year, increasing the total number of schools from 7 to 9 and the number of seats in the School Management Committees to a total of 83. He commended the remarkable achievements of all the Diocesan Schools in the past year and expressed gratitude for the tireless dedication of all involved. Referring to Proverbs 22:6, he reaffirmed the dual mission of educators, which is not only to impart academic knowledge but also to guide students towards the correct values through Catholic Education. Given the rapid technological evolution and increasingly complex social and family environments, he emphasised the need for modernising school education and encouraged the incorporation of artificial intelligence and its applications into the curriculum. He stated that this would stimulate critical thinking and problem-solving skills in students, enabling them to confidently, self-disciplinedly, empathetically, and caringly face the future world. However, he also cautioned against losing sight of the core values and mission of Catholic education while pursuing technological advancement, referencing the teaching of the Apostle Paul in his letter to the Corinthians, which highlights love as the guiding compass in the quest for knowledge, for the happiness of society and family is built on good caring relationships between people. Without love, technology will only lead humanity to fall and head towards destruction.
李主教相信大家能共同將教區學校打造成與時代並進，且以基督信仰為基礎、重視品德價值的學府，並創造一個信仰與理性交織，傳統與創新融合的環境，讓學生在內茁壯成長，建立良好的價值觀，走向更遠的未來。最後，李主教亦藉機會感謝中央人民政府駐澳門特別行政區聯絡辦公室教育與青年工作部與教育及青年發展局應邀派代表出席，更表示李部長、龔局長和阮副局長的臨在是對教區及其直屬學校辦學理念及成果的認同、鼓勵、以及支持。
The Bishop expressed confidence in their collective ability to transform Diocesan Schools into institutions that integrate Christian faith and moral values with contemporary educational needs. He envisioned an environment where faith intertwines with reason, and tradition merges with innovation, nurturing students' growth and instilling solid values for a brighter future. Lastly, he also took the opportunity to thank the Department of Education and Youth Work of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the Macao Special Administrative Region and the Education and Youth Development Bureau for the presence of their representatives. He further expressed that their presence is a recognition, encouragement, and support for the educational principles and achievements of the Diocese and its affiliated schools.
隨後，教育及青年發展局龔志明局長亦在致辭中，先表達了對教區學校在疫情期間積極配合政府防疫措施的讚賞，強調教育理念是為著更大公益目標而團結的重要性。局長亦贊同主教的觀點，認為愛與關懷是教育的重要部分，不能僅僅關注學生的學業成果。特別是在過去多年間，教區與及屬校在融合教育的大力推動，令不少有特殊需要的學生及其家庭獲得所需的學習支援。為此，他對聖瑪大肋納學校和聖德蘭學校兩所即將於新城A區起用新校舍的學校能延續愛的教育理念寄予厚望。局長讚揚教區學校的發展方向與局方的宗旨一致，尤其體現在《非高等教育中長期規劃（2021-2030）》中，有關加強創新科技、中華文化、以及愛國愛澳教育的部份。並期待在主教的引領和中央人民政府駐澳門特別行政區聯絡辦公室的協同作用下，教區學校能提供融會國際教育趨勢及國家政策的教育，培養具品德、愛知識的有為青年。
This sentiment was echoed by Mr. Kong, Director of the Education and Youth Development Bureau, in his subsequent speech, he expressed his appreciation for the Diocesan Schools' active co-operation with the Government's pandemic measures. He emphasised the importance of uniting around a greater common goal in education. The Director agreed with the Bishop's viewpoint that love and care are crucial elements of education and that the focus should not be solely on students' academic achievements. Over the past few years, the Diocese and the Diocesan Schools have strongly promoted inclusive education, providing much-needed learning support for many students with special needs and their families. He expressed high hopes that for Escola de Santa Madalena and Escola de Santa Teresa do Menino Jesus, two schools that will soon be using new campuses in New Urban Zone Area A, to continue the education philosophy of love. The Director praised the development direction of the Diocesan Schools for aligning with the Bureau's purpose, particularly reflected in the 'Medium and Long-term Planning for Non-Tertiary Education (2021-2030)', regarding strengthening innovation technology, Chinese culture, and patriotic education. Under the guidance of the Bishop and the cooperation of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the Macao Special Administrative Region, he anticipates that Diocesan Schools will be able to offer education that combines international education trends and national policies, fostering youths with morality and a love for knowledge.
晚宴在教區秘書長、聖若瑟教區中學第六校校監、聖保祿學校校董的劉偉傑神父領禱後正式開始，席間邀請到聖若瑟教區中學吳庭照署任校長和聖德蘭學校劉少華校長兩位新任校長分享履任新崗位滿一年的感想與展望。
The banquet commenced after a prayer led by Father Cyril Jerome Law, Jr., Chanceler of the Dioceses, Supervisor of C.D.S.J. 6 (Colégio Diocesano de São José 6) and SMC Member of Escola São Paulo. Two newly appointed Principals in the past school year, Mr. Ng Teng-Chio of C.D.S.J. (Colégio Diocesano de São José) and Ms. Lao Sio-Wa, Principal of Escola de Santa Teresa do Menino Jesus, were invited to share their reflections and prospects in their new positions.
當晚適逢是劉偉傑神父的生日，在場全體嘉賓即席為劉神父合唱生日歌慶祝，這個即興的環節充分體現出教區學校大家庭的氛圍。
The evening coincided with Father Cyril's birthday, and all the guests present spontaneously sang the birthday song to celebrate for him. This impromptu session fully embodied the atmosphere of the Diocesan School's big family.
此次答謝宴不僅是對過去一年的慶祝和回顧，也是對未來的展望與期待。教區天主教教育委員會有信心在大家的共同努力下，教區學校將繼續為每個學生提供最適切的教育，培養出有品格、有理想、能適應社會變遷的人才。
The Appreciation Dinner served as not just a celebration of the past year's achievements but also as a guiding light illuminating the path forward. The Diocesan Catholic Education Committee remains steadfast in its belief that, with collective effort, Diocesan Schools will continue to provide an enriching education that nurtures students into individuals with character, ideals, and the resilience to adapt to societal changes.