Richard Rymarz
Biographic Data
| ID | 1566833 |
|---|---|
| NAME | Richard Rymarz |
| GIVEN NAMES | Richard |
| FAMILY NAME | Rymarz |
| SIGNATURE | RYMARZ R |
| AFFILIATIONS | Australian Catholic University |
| ORCID | 0000-0001-7574-1661 |
| VERIFIED | Yes |
| TOTAL WORKS | 24 |
| TOTAL CITATIONS | 5 |
| WORKS AS AUTHOR | 24 |
| WORKS AS EDITOR | 0 |
| FIRST PUBLICATION YEAR | 2003 |
| LATEST PUBLICATION YEAR | 2026 |
| H-INDEX | 2 |
“I guess that’s how I kind of slipped into it!” Experienced teachers teaching religious education (RE) as an out-of-field subject in Australian Catholic rural and regional schools
While much of the research indicates that out-of-field (OOF) teachers tend to be either graduate teachers or those in their first three years of teaching, this is not always the case. Drawn from a larger Australian project, this paper reports on findings from survey (n = 64) and interview (n = 4) data showing that in Religious Education (RE) across regional and rural Catholic schools, nearly one third of participants had been teaching RE OOF for …
Teacher Pilgrims at World Youth Day
World Youth Day (WYD) is a significant, reoccurring event in the contemporary Catholic Church. The Church remains in a transitional period marked by the disappearance and emergence of institutional structures. One major challenge is the capacity of the Church to nurture younger Catholics in the face of an increasingly dominant secular culture. This is a major concern of Catholic school systems which require large numbers of committed teachers to …
Shaped by the story
The article is grounded on the basis that people are narrative beings and our identities are founded on stories that present a window for which we can view the world. It explores the significance of narrative theology, where Christian communities move away from the intellectual plane of credal statements, and closer to the way Christian faith first began and spread. As illustrated through his own narrative style Jesus used, storytelling can be us…
Pondering Diversity in Contemporary Culture
This paper seeks to deepen the understanding of religious plurality using a range of conceptual lenses and then to draw out some implications for a dialogical approach to religious education in Catholic schools. While what was, until very recent times, seen as conventional religious affiliation has certainly weakened in Australia and elsewhere, this does not necessarily lead to a multiplication of communal beliefs, practices and values. Following…
A Narrative Approach to Discerning Some Key Issues for Catholic Education in a More Synodal Church
Synodality is described as a mentality that esteems three actions: encountering, listening. and discerning. This mentality is applied to a discourse on Catholic education premised on three illustrative narratives. Narratives are used as a suitable instrument to gain deep insights into the lived experience of teachers working in Catholic schools. Several concurrent themes are identified as emerging issues for a more synodal church. These include c…
Investigating the Work of School Based Religious Education Leaders in Australian Catholic Schools
The aim of this research was to get a better understanding of the work of school-based religious education leaders (SBREL) by examining the issues and challenges they face as well as how they are supported. SBREL were surveyed and interviewed, and they took part in focus groups. SBREL, in general, felt supported in their role. A major issue identified by SBREL was the implications of the changing demographics of Catholic schools, marked by growin…
Utilizing Authenticity
This paper addresses some conceptual options for Catholic education in a particular cultural context. This context is where the Catholic school system is large, stable, and well established but in the wider cultural context, the place of religion in society is detraditionalized. This detraditionalization is reflected in Catholic school enrolments where increasing numbers of students come from non-Catholic backgrounds, where, amongst Catholics, en…
The questions students ask? A preliminary examination of the questions raised in religious education classes in Catholic schools
The importance of religious questioning in establishing and maintaining religious affiliation is well recognised. Questions and how teachers respond to them is also a critical aspect of strong pedagogy and is an important part of teacher training and formation. Many curriculum documents in religious education assume that student questions are an important part of the teaching and learning process. This study seeks to examine the questions that st…
Teacher pilgrims at World Youth Day
This paper examines the experiences of six teachers from a regional, Australian diocese who attended World Youth Day (WYD). It also reports on aspects of their worldview and their experience working in Catholic schools. Overall participants were very positive about working in Catholic schools, and though not connected in an ongoing way with parish communities, they were happy to support the religious dimension of Catholic schools and were often i…
Some religious beliefs and behaviours of Australian Catholic school students
Students in Catholic schools make up a significant sub group of the Australian population. As such, studies of this group provide valuable information about the religious beliefs and practices of some Australian youth. Many students in Catholic schools express traditional religious views and have relatively high levels of religious behaviours. Over time these levels diminish but in a fashion that invites careful analysis and comparison with stand…
Implementation of the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA)
Exploring the Life History of Religious Leaders in Australian Catholic Schools
Religious transition
There are a range of communities within the Anglican communion that seek to maintain a more orthodox or Catholic emphasis. One of these is the Traditional Anglican Communion. In 2009 the Vatican announced a special accommodation to allow these Anglicans to enter the Catholic Church and to retain key aspects of their Anglican usage and practice. As such many of these communities have sought to formalise their links with Rome. At this important his…
Coming to Rome
This study examined religious transition in one Anglican Catholic Church of Canada community. The purpose of the study was twofold. Firstly, it sought to provide some account and social record of a significant event for both the Catholic and Anglican communities. Secondly, it sought to apply some of the theory surrounding religious transition to this very recent case of some Anglo Catholics in Canada
Further Down the Road
Religious identity of Catholic schools
In three Canadian provinces Catholic schools receive full government funding. This funding is premised on Catholic schools providing a distinctive educational environment based on the religious beliefs and practices of, among others, the teachers who work in these schools. A variety of official documents underline this notion of teachers playing an irreplaceable role in animating the religious dimension of Catholic schools. Contemporary culture, …
Who goes to World Youth Day? Some Data on Young Adult Australian Pilgrims
A key feature of the pontificate of Pope John Paul II was the staging of World Youth Days (WYD), a practice that has continued under his successor Benedict XVI. Beginning in 1985 these events, held internationally every two to three years, are amongst the largest international gatherings of young people. In 2000, for example, the WYD held in Rome attracted over three million pilgrims. WYD has become a significant social phenomenon, especially in …
Nurturing well‐being through religious commitment
Being highly active within a religious tradition has often been associated with an increased sense of well‐being. In contemporary culture in much of the Western world, however, the level of engagement of young people, especially, within many religious traditions is declining. This paper will examine a number of factors associated with nurturing high levels of religious engagement and commitment. The overriding framework for this discussion is tha…
The Transmission of a Religious Heritage to Younger Members of Small Ethnic Communities in a Pluralist Society
Contemporary Australia has clearly become a multi-faith and multi-cultural society. Even within the mainstream Christian religions there are many new arrivals whose countries of origin are non Euro-centric, and they have brought with them a wide variety of cultural practices that are different from the Anglo-Saxon/Celtic culture that has dominated religious practice in this country. Consequently, the ‘face’ of Australian Christians has been slowl…
The role of cultural and spiritual expressions in affirming a sense of self, place, and purpose among young urban, Indigenous Australians
This article sets out to discuss the impact that urban living has had on the lives of young Indigenous people. It will seek to discover some of the problems that occur when there is a meeting of two cultures, in this case the Indigenous culture of Australian Aboriginal people and the mainstream culture that has been derived largely from west European traditions which, in turn, was born out of Western Christian perspectives. As well, it will explo…
Who goes to World Youth Day? Some data on under‐18 Australian participants
World Youth Day (WYD) beginning in 1985 and held internationally every two or three years is amongst the largest gatherings of young people in the world. In 1995, for example, the WYD held in Manila attracted over four million pilgrims. With a high level of participation as well as longevity WYD has become a significant social phenomenon, especially in an era where there is a sustained and widespread disaffiliation of youth from mainstream Church…
Drifting from the mainstream
Religious communities have an obvious interest in passing on their beliefs and practices to future generations. Many traditional churches, however, report major difficulties in retaining the interest and involvement of adolescents. This paper seeks to explore some of the beliefs and values of Australian core Catholic youth (14‐ to 15‐years‐old). Fifty‐eight semi‐structured interviews were conducted with adolescents with a pre‐existing connection …
Going to church
Religious communities have an obvious interest in passing on their beliefs and practices to future generations. Many traditional churches, however, report major difficulties in retaining the interest and involvement of adolescents. This study seeks to explore attitudes to a key indicator of traditional practice, church attendance, amongst Australian core Catholic youth (14–15 years of age). Fifty‐eight semi‐structured interviews were conducted wi…
The Perceptions of some Australian Coptic Students of the Influences on their Religious Development
This article discusses some aspects of a research project that investigated the perceptions of religiosity and spirituality of young Copts from two Coptic schools in Melbourne. Contemporary Australia is a relatively young multicultural and multi-faith society so that Australian youth are exposed to a wide range of cultural and religious practices through both community interaction and a highly influential media. Within such a context, the Copts a…
A Narrative Approach to Discerning Some Key Issues for Catholic Education in a More Synodal Church
Synodality is described as a mentality that esteems three actions: encountering, listening. and discerning. This mentality is applied to a discourse on Catholic education premised on three illustrative narratives. Narratives are used as a suitable instrument to gain deep insights into the lived experience of teachers working in Catholic schools. Several concurrent themes are identified as emerging issues for a more synodal church. These include c…
Utilizing Authenticity
This paper addresses some conceptual options for Catholic education in a particular cultural context. This context is where the Catholic school system is large, stable, and well established but in the wider cultural context, the place of religion in society is detraditionalized. This detraditionalization is reflected in Catholic school enrolments where increasing numbers of students come from non-Catholic backgrounds, where, amongst Catholics, en…
Pondering Diversity in Contemporary Culture
This paper seeks to deepen the understanding of religious plurality using a range of conceptual lenses and then to draw out some implications for a dialogical approach to religious education in Catholic schools. While what was, until very recent times, seen as conventional religious affiliation has certainly weakened in Australia and elsewhere, this does not necessarily lead to a multiplication of communal beliefs, practices and values. Following…
The Perceptions of some Australian Coptic Students of the Influences on their Religious Development
This article discusses some aspects of a research project that investigated the perceptions of religiosity and spirituality of young Copts from two Coptic schools in Melbourne. Contemporary Australia is a relatively young multicultural and multi-faith society so that Australian youth are exposed to a wide range of cultural and religious practices through both community interaction and a highly influential media. Within such a context, the Copts a…
Going to church
Religious communities have an obvious interest in passing on their beliefs and practices to future generations. Many traditional churches, however, report major difficulties in retaining the interest and involvement of adolescents. This study seeks to explore attitudes to a key indicator of traditional practice, church attendance, amongst Australian core Catholic youth (14–15 years of age). Fifty‐eight semi‐structured interviews were conducted wi…
Drifting from the mainstream
Religious communities have an obvious interest in passing on their beliefs and practices to future generations. Many traditional churches, however, report major difficulties in retaining the interest and involvement of adolescents. This paper seeks to explore some of the beliefs and values of Australian core Catholic youth (14‐ to 15‐years‐old). Fifty‐eight semi‐structured interviews were conducted with adolescents with a pre‐existing connection …
The Transmission of a Religious Heritage to Younger Members of Small Ethnic Communities in a Pluralist Society
Contemporary Australia has clearly become a multi-faith and multi-cultural society. Even within the mainstream Christian religions there are many new arrivals whose countries of origin are non Euro-centric, and they have brought with them a wide variety of cultural practices that are different from the Anglo-Saxon/Celtic culture that has dominated religious practice in this country. Consequently, the ‘face’ of Australian Christians has been slowl…
The role of cultural and spiritual expressions in affirming a sense of self, place, and purpose among young urban, Indigenous Australians
This article sets out to discuss the impact that urban living has had on the lives of young Indigenous people. It will seek to discover some of the problems that occur when there is a meeting of two cultures, in this case the Indigenous culture of Australian Aboriginal people and the mainstream culture that has been derived largely from west European traditions which, in turn, was born out of Western Christian perspectives. As well, it will explo…
Who goes to World Youth Day? Some data on under‐18 Australian participants
World Youth Day (WYD) beginning in 1985 and held internationally every two or three years is amongst the largest gatherings of young people in the world. In 1995, for example, the WYD held in Manila attracted over four million pilgrims. With a high level of participation as well as longevity WYD has become a significant social phenomenon, especially in an era where there is a sustained and widespread disaffiliation of youth from mainstream Church…
Who goes to World Youth Day? Some Data on Young Adult Australian Pilgrims
A key feature of the pontificate of Pope John Paul II was the staging of World Youth Days (WYD), a practice that has continued under his successor Benedict XVI. Beginning in 1985 these events, held internationally every two to three years, are amongst the largest international gatherings of young people. In 2000, for example, the WYD held in Rome attracted over three million pilgrims. WYD has become a significant social phenomenon, especially in …
Nurturing well‐being through religious commitment
Being highly active within a religious tradition has often been associated with an increased sense of well‐being. In contemporary culture in much of the Western world, however, the level of engagement of young people, especially, within many religious traditions is declining. This paper will examine a number of factors associated with nurturing high levels of religious engagement and commitment. The overriding framework for this discussion is tha…
Religious identity of Catholic schools
In three Canadian provinces Catholic schools receive full government funding. This funding is premised on Catholic schools providing a distinctive educational environment based on the religious beliefs and practices of, among others, the teachers who work in these schools. A variety of official documents underline this notion of teachers playing an irreplaceable role in animating the religious dimension of Catholic schools. Contemporary culture, …
Religious transition
There are a range of communities within the Anglican communion that seek to maintain a more orthodox or Catholic emphasis. One of these is the Traditional Anglican Communion. In 2009 the Vatican announced a special accommodation to allow these Anglicans to enter the Catholic Church and to retain key aspects of their Anglican usage and practice. As such many of these communities have sought to formalise their links with Rome. At this important his…
Coming to Rome
This study examined religious transition in one Anglican Catholic Church of Canada community. The purpose of the study was twofold. Firstly, it sought to provide some account and social record of a significant event for both the Catholic and Anglican communities. Secondly, it sought to apply some of the theory surrounding religious transition to this very recent case of some Anglo Catholics in Canada
Further Down the Road
Exploring the Life History of Religious Leaders in Australian Catholic Schools
Some religious beliefs and behaviours of Australian Catholic school students
Students in Catholic schools make up a significant sub group of the Australian population. As such, studies of this group provide valuable information about the religious beliefs and practices of some Australian youth. Many students in Catholic schools express traditional religious views and have relatively high levels of religious behaviours. Over time these levels diminish but in a fashion that invites careful analysis and comparison with stand…
Implementation of the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA)
The questions students ask? A preliminary examination of the questions raised in religious education classes in Catholic schools
The importance of religious questioning in establishing and maintaining religious affiliation is well recognised. Questions and how teachers respond to them is also a critical aspect of strong pedagogy and is an important part of teacher training and formation. Many curriculum documents in religious education assume that student questions are an important part of the teaching and learning process. This study seeks to examine the questions that st…
Teacher pilgrims at World Youth Day
This paper examines the experiences of six teachers from a regional, Australian diocese who attended World Youth Day (WYD). It also reports on aspects of their worldview and their experience working in Catholic schools. Overall participants were very positive about working in Catholic schools, and though not connected in an ongoing way with parish communities, they were happy to support the religious dimension of Catholic schools and were often i…
Utilizing Authenticity
This paper addresses some conceptual options for Catholic education in a particular cultural context. This context is where the Catholic school system is large, stable, and well established but in the wider cultural context, the place of religion in society is detraditionalized. This detraditionalization is reflected in Catholic school enrolments where increasing numbers of students come from non-Catholic backgrounds, where, amongst Catholics, en…
Investigating the Work of School Based Religious Education Leaders in Australian Catholic Schools
The aim of this research was to get a better understanding of the work of school-based religious education leaders (SBREL) by examining the issues and challenges they face as well as how they are supported. SBREL were surveyed and interviewed, and they took part in focus groups. SBREL, in general, felt supported in their role. A major issue identified by SBREL was the implications of the changing demographics of Catholic schools, marked by growin…
A Narrative Approach to Discerning Some Key Issues for Catholic Education in a More Synodal Church
Synodality is described as a mentality that esteems three actions: encountering, listening. and discerning. This mentality is applied to a discourse on Catholic education premised on three illustrative narratives. Narratives are used as a suitable instrument to gain deep insights into the lived experience of teachers working in Catholic schools. Several concurrent themes are identified as emerging issues for a more synodal church. These include c…
Pondering Diversity in Contemporary Culture
This paper seeks to deepen the understanding of religious plurality using a range of conceptual lenses and then to draw out some implications for a dialogical approach to religious education in Catholic schools. While what was, until very recent times, seen as conventional religious affiliation has certainly weakened in Australia and elsewhere, this does not necessarily lead to a multiplication of communal beliefs, practices and values. Following…
Shaped by the story
The article is grounded on the basis that people are narrative beings and our identities are founded on stories that present a window for which we can view the world. It explores the significance of narrative theology, where Christian communities move away from the intellectual plane of credal statements, and closer to the way Christian faith first began and spread. As illustrated through his own narrative style Jesus used, storytelling can be us…
“I guess that’s how I kind of slipped into it!” Experienced teachers teaching religious education (RE) as an out-of-field subject in Australian Catholic rural and regional schools
While much of the research indicates that out-of-field (OOF) teachers tend to be either graduate teachers or those in their first three years of teaching, this is not always the case. Drawn from a larger Australian project, this paper reports on findings from survey (n = 64) and interview (n = 4) data showing that in Religious Education (RE) across regional and rural Catholic schools, nearly one third of participants had been teaching RE OOF for …
Teacher Pilgrims at World Youth Day
World Youth Day (WYD) is a significant, reoccurring event in the contemporary Catholic Church. The Church remains in a transitional period marked by the disappearance and emergence of institutional structures. One major challenge is the capacity of the Church to nurture younger Catholics in the face of an increasingly dominant secular culture. This is a major concern of Catholic school systems which require large numbers of committed teachers to …
Sociology (22 works) · Religious Education and Schools (14 works) · Political science (13 works) · Gender Studies (12 works) · Psychology (10 works) · Law (9 works) · Pedagogy (9 works) · Religion and Society Interactions (9 works) · Religion, Society, and Development (9 works) · Religious education (9 works)