Global citizens start here - teaching students to serve with faith and compassion

“In a world that is more interconnected than ever, our responsibility as educators is clear, we must form young people who see beyond themselves” –BCE Head of Formation and Engagement Catie Kelly.

Brisbane Catholic Education’s (BCE) new Head of Formation and Engagement is stepping into her role with a mission in 2026 - global citizens start here.In a system of almost 80,000 students,Catie said that global citizens are not created by accident or chance. But through intentional formation that nurtures hearts as much as minds. 

With this in mind Catie asks: “what does it truly take to shape young people who are ready to contribute meaningfully to a global community?

The bigger picture

Catie said it about looking at the ways in which our Catholic social teaching form compassionate, service minded individuals.

“True formation happens when these principles are lived and explored across learning areas,” she said.

“If we are teaching science, it is important to question what opportunities we are creating for students to reflect on stewardship, sustainability, and their role in protecting God’s creation (Laudato Si’)?

“We also need to question, where else these values appear? In English, the arts, and mathematics as examples.

“Catholic social teaching arenot an add-on within our curriculum, they are a lens that we can give students to help them participate in meaningful, hope-filled discussions about the future.

“Students who understand that their learning is not just for themselves, but for the world they will go on to influence and create.”

Service in action

Looking at the ways in which Gospel values inform the way we teach students to engage with global issues such as inequality, migration, or environmental stewardship, is another important action. 

Catie said it is about providing students the time and space to connect with Jesus. 

“What would Jesus do in this situation? How did Jesus reach those at the margins? How can we do this ourselves?” she said. 

“That is where service in action comes in.

“We can provide students genuine opportunities to connect with God, be formed, and transformed as people.”

Catie said it is not just as simple as organising charity drives or serving people in need.

“What truly matters is helping students understand why we serve,” she said. 

“We want them to recognise the dignity of every person and to act out of genuine compassion.

“Not for recognition, but because responding to others with love and empathy is part of who we are called to be as people of Jesus.

“Not because it makes us feel good, but because it makes others feel good when we give back.”

The power of prayer

Prayer is also another fundamental step to forming global citizens. 

For Catie, prayer is the basis of building that relationship with God, conversation with God, and how we nurture our faith. 

“Part of forming compassionate global citizens is helping students broaden the scope of their prayer,” she said.

“When we invite students to pray, we’re asking them to look beyond themselves.

“To pray not only for their own needs or for peace in the world, but also for those who cause harm or who struggle to choose what is good.

“It’s that lens of looking at the bigger picture, knowing there is always something we can do.

“This kind of reflection and awareness prepares young people for the complex challenges they will encounter globally—whether it be conflict or environmental.”

BCE’s new Head of Formation and Engagement

As the new Head of Formation and Engagement at BCE, Catie said she was "very honoured to have been chosen for this role”.

“Having worked for BCE for 26 years, to have the opportunity to animate Jesus Christ into everything we do, decisions, actions, supporting our students and staff, is truly humbling,” she said.