These days one does not need to look very far to know that our society is facing many challenges. Every day, even every hour, it seems we hear more news of the deepening economic crisis, corporate excess, massive layoffs, failing businesses, and increasing home foreclosures.
The current crisis seems to have affected nearly every facet of life. In one way or another, it touches every person and every organization, including our diocese, our parishes, and our schools.
Ad majorem Dei gloriam — It was the first Latin phrase that I committed to memory. The cross and the four letters A.M.D.G. were mandatory on all homework assignments for Sister Dolorosa’s eighth grade class.
At my home parish, eighth grade meant not only graduation, but Confirmation, and Confirmation meant knowing who you were, why you were created, and what God wanted you to do. In eighth grade it was difficult enough to discern right from wrong, much less discern the will of God in your life. How do you hear God through the voices of friends, raging hormones, new and strange emotions, and trying to retain the pleasures of childhood while balancing on the edge of an adult world?
Nearly 100 people from across the diocese gathered on January 7 to carry forward the work of Catholic Schools Planning as members of one of the four Core Teams.
The evening opened with introductions, prayer, a brief background of the project, and an explanation of the process. In a letter of welcome to all of those gathered, Bishop Morlino conveyed his “deep gratitude and constant support” for the work of the Core Teams saying, “What a true blessing that so many of you have gathered to offer your time and talent as we plan for the future of our Catholic schools.”
The Steering Committee for Catholic Schools Planning met in early December and is moving forward with plans for two major events in January. The first of these is the gathering of the Core Teams. The Core Teams represent a major extension of the planning process. Over 100 people from across the diocese will serve on four Core Teams, one for each area of planning: Catholic Leadership; Academic Curriculum; Enrollment Management; and Fiscal Stewardship.
The Steering Committee (for Comprehensive Schools Planning) met for a second time on October 14 and assembled in four teams, each of which will lead one of the four areas of our study and planning.
My wife and I live in a small village with a small Catholic parish and no Catholic school. Our children, however, all attend Catholic schools.
Of course, this means a lot of driving, which is a cost in both gas and hours spent in the car each week. Everyone else in our parish attends the local public school, which is within walking distance or not more than a five minute drive for most.
On Wednesday, Sept. 17, the Comprehensive Schools Study formally got underway as 26 people from around the diocese met to convene the first meeting of the steering committee. Pastors, principals, and parishioners from all corners of the diocese met to learn more about the planning process.
As the meeting began, I explained the history and background and goals of the planning process. The project stems from the directive that “All parishes, those with and without schools, will actively participate in a diocesan wide comprehensive schools study to promote and increase our diocesan commitment to Catholic education as outlined in the USCCB publication Renewing our Commitment to Elementary and Secondary Schools in the Third Millennium.”
