The theme of the 2011 Catholic Schools Week celebrates the significant contributions that Catholic schools have made and continue to make to our parishes, our communities, and our nation.
While Catholic schools have long been known for their rigorous academics, their emphasis on self-discipline and their delivery of an education based on Gospel values, their positive effects have been proven to be much more numerous and far reaching.
It’s late August. The days are growing shorter, the nights are growing cooler, and children are preparing to go back to school.
One can’t help but notice that change is definitely in the air. Yes, change. It’s one of the great things about being a Catholic school teacher or principal (and there are many!).
MADISON — The new strategic plan for Catholic schools in the diocese has been completed after over 18 months of work and the involvement of hundreds of people from throughout the diocese. The plan, entitled Catholic Schools: Our Faith, Our Future, details specific strategies for meeting the critical challenges faced by our schools.
The Office of Catholic Schools, in conjunction with the Office of Planning, under Bishop Robert C. Morlino’s direction, have completed their review and revision of the recommendations stemming from the Catholic Schools Planning Process.
After the bishop fully reviewed and considered all available information, small changes and additions were made in order to best fit the recommendations into the larger scope of diocesan planning. Aside from these changes, the plan retains the recommendations put forth by the Steering Committee.
The work of the Catholic schools planning steering committee drew to a close in late January as they met for the final time to review the recommendations resulting from nearly 18 months of meetings, regional gatherings, and the diocesan wide schools planning congress that was held last October.
In November and December, the steering committee met to collate the recommendations resulting from the congress, adding consideration for the input that we received from regional meetings and task-force sessions, which were held throughout the diocese.
Every year beginning with the last Sunday in January Catholic schools across the nation celebrate Catholic Schools Week.
The week is a celebration of the work of Catholic schools and of their tremendous contribution to our communities, our Church, and our country. Unlike public or secular schools that educate children primarily to succeed in secular life, live as contributing citizens, participate in the democratic process, and prepare for college and work, Catholic schools educate the whole person, body, mind, and soul. Catholic schools prepare students not only for success in the secular world, but also to live as Christians who not only succeed in life, but who through their lives make the world a better place.
Over the last several weeks, the Office of Catholic Schools has been busy moving forward with Catholic Schools Planning.
Between May and July, over 300 people attended one of 12 task force meetings conducted at locations throughout the diocese. Each meeting began with prayer, a brief history of the process, and an explanation of our goal: to find ways to strengthen our Catholic schools throughout the diocese and ensure that they are “available, affordable, accessible,” and that they offer both an unparalleled faith formation and academic education to all students now and for generations to come.
Once the planning process was underway, participants considered the various challenges currently facing Catholic schools, shared opinions and experiences, brainstormed ideas, and discussed possible courses of action as we look for ways to strengthen our schools.
This is the third and final in a series of articles that answer questions about Catholic schools.
Over the past few weeks I have written about the purpose of Catholic schools and their function in Church and in society.
I have also discussed the work of our Core Teams in identifying the challenges we face, and must answer, if our schools are to thrive into the future.
Today I would like to give you a glimpse of our schools and the great diversity that exists across them as each day the teachers, staff, and principals strive to witness the Gospel Truth and place our children firmly on the path to heaven.
This is the second in a series of articles that answers questions about Catholic schools.
The primary mission of Catholic schools is to teach the faith through proclaiming, living, and witnessing the Gospel message. In this way they participate in the evangelical mission of the Church. A secondary mission of Catholic schools is to help parents fulfill the promise that all parents make when their children are baptized — to educate and raise their children in the faith.
These are the two main reasons that we have Catholic schools. Catholic schools are important to the life of the Church because they teach children about their faith and assist in the education of the next generation of Catholics.
“Why do Catholic schools exist?” “Why do we have Catholic schools?”
“Aren’t the public schools just as good academically?” “Don’t Catholic schools just teach more religion?”
“Why do we have a Catholic school when our parish already offers excellent religious education?”
These are questions that, over my short tenure as superintendent, I have heard uttered by parishioners, my colleagues in public schools, and many others. As a matter of course, I have discussed these questions with colleagues, parents, teachers, and, most recently, the many volunteers from throughout the diocese who served as members of Core Teams for Catholic Schools Planning.
