Our Charism

The Spirituality of St Clare’s Catholic School, Burdell, is based on the spirit of St Clare of Assisi, Franciscan spiritually, and the faith of the St Anthony’s Catholic Parish community.

St Clare and St Francis challenged the society of their time to be radically Christian by developing a love for the poor, being a caring community, showing compassion, revering all of creation, and being peacemakers. Today at St Clare’s Catholic School, we respond to this challenge by being conscious of our actions and making an effort to bring about a life of simplicity, justice and compassion. Our school motto, “Be A Clear Light”, calls us to make our lives shine by living the Gospel.

Inspired by St Clare, we are a contemporary, nurturing community with a strong learning culture. We are a Franciscan school celebrating diversity and the beauty of every individual.

What is Charism?

A charism is a divine spiritual gift given to an individual or group for the good of the community. Each religious order has a specific charism, a gift to be put to the service of the Church and the world.

Pope Paul VI was the first to label "charism" specifically in relation to religious institutes. He explained that the charism of the religious life is the fruit of the Holy Spirit, who is always at work within the Church.

A charism touches the very core of our existence and colours everything that we do as human beings. It allows us to see things in new ways, and to understand them even more wonderfully. We absorb a charism as we absorb sunshine, and we radiate a charism as a light pierces the darkness.