Catholic Education Foundation presents TTHHEE CCAATTHHOOLLIICC EEDDUUCCAATTOORR

Volume 17 | Fall 2015

In This Edition

A Word from Our Editor Reverend Peter M. J. Stravinskas Page 4

Vince Lombardi: How the Catholic Church Derek Leaberry Page 5 Formed One of the Greatest Coaches of all Time

Disappointing Day for Equal Educational Darla Romfo Page 6 Opportunity in NY

A Complete Education: It's Catholic Fr. Christopher George Phillips Page 8

‘Darius, Follow Me’ Patti Armstrong Page 10

Vatican to Address ‘Educational Emergency’ at Justin Petrisek Page 13 World Congress Marking Key Anniversaries

U.S. Bishops’ Leader Says Catholic Schools Page 16 ‘Exist to Proclaim Good News of Jesus Christ’ Kimberly Scharfenberger

Diocese Launches Multimedia Campaign in Page 18 http://www.dioceseoftrenton.org Support of Catholic Schools

Two Programs Help Students Most in Need Archbishop Charles J. Chaput Page 19

The Goal of Classical Education Is Truth Tom Jay Page 21

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Catholic Schools Are ‘Vehicles’ of Pro-Life Justin Petrisek Page 25 Movement, Say Pro-Life Leaders

Cincinnati Superintendent Defends Notion of Kimberly Scharfenberger Page 26 Catholic School Teacher as ‘Minister’

Pope's Address to Italian Catholic Teachers Pope Francis Page 28 Union (UCIIM)

Pedaling Catholic Education Joseph Pronechen Page 30

China Loves Our Catholic Schools Bill Donohue Page 34

Omaha Archdiocese Unveils $2 million 'Awaken Greatness' Marketing Campaign for Catholic Julie Anderson Page 35 Schools

Parents Fight Back Against Teachers' Union Brittany Corona Page 37 Suing Florida's Largest School Choice Program

Book Review: Ten Practices of Effective Boards: Ken S. Coley Page 39 A Unique Tale about Board Governance

Why I Send My Kids to Catholic School Ramona Denmark Page 40

Cardinal Newman and Pope Francis: Catholic Reverend Peter M. J. Stravinskas Page 42 Schools as Key to an Educated Laity

Catholic Schools Need ‘Strong Priestly Beth Griffin Page 58 Presence’

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A Word from Our Editor

This issue of The Catholic Educator makes text is also offered here for what I hope will its appearance at the outset of a new be for your edification and enjoyment — academic year — always a moment of great and potential use. hope and joy for teachers – and parents! By accident, I have had occasion to peruse On August 18-19, the Catholic Education dozens of parish bulletins and websites Foundation sponsored a seminar, The Role recently, where I have made a most of the Priest in the Catholic School of disturbing discovery. In those important Today. Although not much advance notice means of parochial communication, I have was possible, this “maiden voyage” of CEF found that most parishes which do not have into clerical education was a rousing schools do not list on their bulletin covers or success, bringing together priests from websites where Catholic schools are fourteen dioceses. Their evaluations of the available. Even stranger, that is often the program were uniformly positive, resulting case even with parishes that do sponsor in numerous invitations for us to provide schools! So, let me assign you some similar workshops in their dioceses of homework: Check out the bulletins and origin. The event was covered by Catholic websites of parishes with which you are News Service, which subsequently associated; if they fail in this regard, take as published an extensive article on the your task the duty of raising the matter with seminar; that piece is included in the present the pastor. issue. Finally, as the Synod on the Family gears Likewise during the summer, I was able to up, I ask that you pray that the Synod present a paper to the Newman Association Fathers this time around (unlike last year’s of America at their annual conference: gathering) would devote significant attention “Cardinal Newman and Pope Francis: to the role which Catholic schools can, do Catholic Schools as Key to an Educated and should play in building up the Christian Laity.” The theme of the talk dealt with the family. profound appreciation of both Cardinal Newman and Pope Francis for the mission Reverend Peter M. J. Stravinskas, Ph.D., and accomplishments of Catholic S.T.D. elementary and secondary schools. The full Executive Director

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Vince Lombardi: How the Catholic Church Formed One of the Greatest Coaches of all Time

In the middle of winter, between Epiphany the Manhattan’s Meatpacking District with and Ash Wednesday, a secular ritual of his brother, Eddie. He had three siblings. nearly fifty years has become part of the Matilda “Mattie” Lombardi, one of thirteen American cultural scene. It is called the children born to Antonio and Laura Izzo, Super Bowl, the championship game of the took care of the family home. interminably long National Football League season. Two weeks of incessant television Sunday Mass was compulsory for all the extravaganza lead up to the game itself, Lombardis. Following Mass were long which ends with the winner being awarded Sunday dinners shared with several of the the Lombardi Trophy named for a man now Izzo family and other relatives, friends and, 44 years dead but still considered by many on occasion, local priests. These dinners to be the greatest football coach in the were never shorter than two hours and could history of the game. last deep into the night. The food came out of the kitchen in waves. Antipasto. In nine years as head coach of the Green Minestrone soup. Spaghetti and meatballs. Bay Packers, Vince Lombardi transformed Ravioli. And the Izzo family favorite, an inept team into the powerhouse NFL spinach pie. The wine was homemade from dynasty of the1960s, winning the NFL grapes grown in the backyard. The food was championship five times and winning the cooked my Mattie and her four sisters in a first two Super Bowls. Lombardi was also demonstration of culinary teamwork. This intensely Catholic, a man who went to daily Italian-American Sunday routine, combining Mass. The Catholic Church was Mass with an extended family meal, was instrumental in forming the football harmonious for all those who experienced it coaching great. and was vital to the upbringing of Vince Lombardi. Born in 1913 in Sheepshead Bay, Brooklyn, Vince Lombardi was the oldest of five June 7, 2013 children. His parents were part of the great Derek Leaberry southern Italian diaspora, specifically www.vatican.va Salerno in Campania. Enrico “Harry” Lombardi was a butcher and ran a shop in

The Catholic Educator 5 Fall 2015

Disappointing Day for Equal Educational Opportunity in NY

For the last several months, the New York Under pressure from the New York State legislature has been debating a tax credit United Teachers and the New York City scholarship bill that would have increased United Federation of Teachers, many charitable funding to help more children Democrats in the Assembly abandoned their from low- and moderate-income New York support for the Education Tax Credit and families obtain a quality education in both blocked its passage, even though every one public and non-public schools. of them represents many families the Unfortunately, this week, we learned it did legislation was designed to help. not make it into the final agreement reached by Gov. Andrew Cuomo and our state’s Ironically, the teachers unions must have legislative leaders. been okay with giving $250 million to private schools directly. The problem they This disappointment comes despite forceful clearly have is with empowering parents advocacy from Gov. Cuomo, who with expanded private scholarship barnstormed the state in support of the plan, opportunities for their children — even and the backing of 150 organizations that though it would have come at a lower cost to spanned the political spectrum and included the state. police, firefighter, construction, and other trade unions. The arguments that the tax credit would benefit the “wealthy and Wall Street” and This was the first time anywhere in the “take away” from public education are country that such a diverse group joined a completely bogus to any person who takes Democratic governor to support a program even a moment to look a little more closely aimed at helping disadvantaged students at the issue. attend the same private schools as their better-off peers. The real beneficiaries of the Education Tax Credit would have been the mostly low- Instead, legislative leaders approved income children who could have used tax spending $250 million to reimburse non- credit funds to attend private or parochial public schools for government-mandated schools with scholarships. Donors who services, including reporting daily contributed to scholarship funds would only attendance, administering state exams, and have received 75 cents on the dollar in tax buying technology. credits.

While the funds are welcome, they will not Just this April, in the New York State help families who are struggling financially budget, lawmakers approved a $1.5 billion to keep their children enrolled in a private or increase to public education for next year, to parochial school, or are desperate to make $23.5 billion — the most financial aid ever that choice, but can’t afford tuition. approved by the state to public schools. The Education Tax Credit would not have taken a dime of this money away.

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Meanwhile, most private and parochial We need to stop defensively pitting public schools get by on significantly less money schools against private schools. And we than public schools. The average cost to shouldn’t be afraid to empower parents to educate an elementary school student in make the decision of where and how their New York City Catholic schools is around children should be educated. $7,000, compared to around $20,000 per student in the New York City public In the meantime, the Children’s Scholarship schools. The tuition they actually pay is Fund and its Buffalo partner will continue to often even lower, averaging around $4,000 a help as many New York children as we can student, and yet many struggling families obtain a better education by providing simply cannot afford these schools which privately funded scholarships allowing them have helped to lift generations of New to attend private and parochial schools. As Yorkers into the middle class. an example of our impact, 92 percent of our CSF Scholars graduated on time last June As education costs climb while results do and 90 percent are now enrolled in college. not, lawmakers who resist adapting to our new economy by embracing a range of When New Yorkers read the news reports education alternatives, including charter that denying this opportunity to children was schools, private schools, homeschooling, a victory for the teachers unions, they’ll see and blended learning, should be aware of the the system is serving someone. Too bad it’s real threat we face when students do not get not the kids. the education they need to become successful adults. We can’t afford to see Darla Romfo students continue to drop out of high school June 25, 2015 or graduate without the skills necessary to https://www.redefinedonline.org support themselves because they were denied opportunities that would have helped them succeed.

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A Complete Education: It's Catholic

In an article titled “The Goal of Classical No, the bigger issue with a school which Education Is Truth” and published a few must exclude God and the Faith from what months ago in Crisis magazine, author and is taught, is that it is impossible to teach the educator Tom Jay makes an important full truth without God and the Faith being in admission — a confession, really — when the mix. he writes, If you were required to eat food which had Yet, one thing we may not do, since most of the vitamins and all the flavor boiled we are not a Catholic academy, is out of it before you ate it, would you think link the pursuit of truth, goodness, you were receiving a healthy diet? Probably and beauty to the One Who is truth, not. If your child is being taught history and goodness, and beauty. The full literature and the great thoughts of mankind, reformation and redemption of with all reference to God and to the revealed education in America can only be and living Catholic Faith being eliminated, accomplished through a Catholic would that be a complete and balanced academy... education? Definitely not. And even with To what is he referring when he writes about conscientious parents filling in the gaps, it’s the “one thing we may not do”? He refers to a bit like trying to add a missing ingredient the so-called “classical academies” which after a cake has come out of the oven. are popping up as charter schools. And why There is a short document with a long name are these charter schools unable to make the which came out of the Second Vatican link between the truth which they strive to Council. It is called Gravissimum teach, with the God Who is Truth? It is educationis and it was promulgated on because charter schools are public schools. October 28, 1965 by Pope Paul VI, There are parents who are enticed by these following approval by the assembled public charter schools, and understandably bishops. so. After all, they’re free, aren’t they? It is an important document because it Well...yes...they are free in the sense that contains the Church’s teaching about they are paid for by money which has been education — particularly the essential place filtered through the government, with all the of Catholic schools — and it discusses the attached government restrictions about any combined responsibilities of the Church and mention of God and the Faith. of parents. “But I can teach my kids their religion, and It begins by stating the universal right of the school can teach them everything else,” everyone to receive an education, and this is the response of many parents. Of course right is extended to the Faithful in a special parents can teach religion to their children way, in that it should be a Christian — and not only can they, but they should be education. The Council Fathers make it clear teaching the Faith to their children — it is a that parents are to be recognized as “the great part of their parental responsibility! primary and principal educators” with the

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particular responsibility of creating “a the Council Fathers state that “among all family atmosphere animated by love and educational instruments the school has a respect for God and man, in which the well- special importance.” rounded personal and social education of The bishops go on to say: “The Council also children is fostered.” In fact, the document reminds Catholic parents of the duty of states that “the family is the first school of entrusting their children to Catholic schools the social virtues that every society needs.” wherever and whenever it is possible and of The Council Fathers then observe that the supporting these schools to the best of their family “which has the primary duty of ability and of cooperating with them for the imparting education needs the help of the education of their children.” whole community.” As parents carry out the When it comes to the education of our duty of educating their children, they entrust precious children, there is no such thing as a share of this work to others who can assist “free.” There is always a price to be them, and it is made clear that “in a special extracted, and that price must not be at the way, the duty of educating belongs to the expense of the fullness of Truth. Giving our Church, not merely because she must be children a Catholic education in a school recognized as a human society capable of which includes daily participation in the educating, but especially because she has the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, with ready responsibility of announcing the way of access to a priest for the Sacrament of salvation to all men, of communicating the Confession as well as spiritual counsel, all in life of Christ to those who believe, and, in a setting in which God is not an external her unfailing solicitude, of assisting men to Unmentionable, but rather is the daily be able to come to the fullness of this life.” Presence which animates all that we do and In fact, the bishops make it clear that “the say, is something that truly is priceless — Church is bound as a mother to give to these that is, without price. children of hers an education by which their whole life can be imbued with the spirit of Christ...” Fr. Christopher George Phillips June 18, 2015 In this sacred duty of the Church to assist parents with the education of their children,

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‘Darius, Follow Me’ American-Indian Student Darius Sparks Finds Focus through Catholic Education

College freshman Darius Sparks, a business major and basketball player at the University Tell me about your childhood. of Mary in Bismarck, N.D., says he is living a dream now. My mom took good care of my sister and me until I was 3 years old. After her dad Today, at age 20, his life is good — very died — they had been very close — she got good. For that, he thanks God, his loving into drugs and drinking. My mom told me foster parents and Catholic education. that my own dad had left her when he found Although several colleges were interested in out she was pregnant. She tried to make sure recruiting him for basketball, he chose the my sister and I knew that she loved us, but it University of Mary, in large part, he said, was so hard for her to handle her addiction. because of its Catholic identity. We moved around a lot. My sister and I saw my mom get beaten by boyfriends You were all-state in basketball and sometimes. Often, there was no food at football and the captain of your football home, so I would steal from stores so my team at St. Mary’s Central High School. sister and I could eat. I was taken away from How did you end up going there? my mom at age 7, 9 and then for good at 12 and put into foster care. After eighth grade, I was in foster care and had the option of going to public or private Were you raised Catholic? school. I knew some of the St. Mary’s students from playing travel basketball with My grandma Betty — she’s really my them. When I toured St. Mary’s, I loved sister’s grandmother, but she’s like my how Mr. Ruggles [a religion teacher] grandmother, too — took me to Mass. described the school: “We’re like a family; Everyone assumed I was Catholic; I even everyone knows each other, and we treat did. It was not until recently that we each other with respect and kindness.” discovered I was never baptized. As a matter of fact, Father Waltz is working with me During this time, I also had a dream. I was right now to help me get ready for Baptism in St. Mary’s School. It was dark, and and Confirmation. someone was after me. I ran up the stairs, where there were a lot of doors. I heard a Your background was very different from faint voice calling my name. One of the that of your classmates. Was it hard for you doors opened, and the priest walked in and to fit in? said, “Darius, follow me.” He put his arm over my shoulder and walked out into the I didn’t make friends right away, and the light with me. When [Father Josh] Waltz schoolwork was hard — I had a lot of gaps. talked during freshman orientation, he My worst grades were in religion, because it looked so familiar to me. Then it hit me: He was like learning a new language, but I was the priest in my dream. caught on. I started becoming friends with

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the guys I played sports with. They became belonged, it inspired me to want to give like brothers to me. back to others.

While you were a sophomore at St. Mary’s, You raised money for new playground you got into trouble and could have been equipment at the St. Bernard Mission School kicked out. What happened? on the Fort Yates Indian Reservation, where you spent part of your childhood. How did I was invited to play AAU (Amateur that come about? Athletic Union) basketball. It’s a highly competitive traveling league. It cost $2,600 Our senior class went on a one-day mission to cover everything. My coach set up [an trip to St. Bernard Mission School. I had opportunity for] selling cookie dough and lived on the reservation for part of my pizzas to help us raise money. childhood. After Mass, when Father [Basil] Atwell told us that, for some kids, school is I raised $1,600, but with the deadline near, I the only place they feel safe and know they was still $1,000 short. When I was younger, will be fed, it hit me hard. I started crying — I used to steal and sell things to get money. that had been my childhood. It seemed like my only solution. I visited my grandma in Mobridge and stole her pain Later, when I played with the kids on the medication, planning to sell it. Instead, my playground, I noticed the broken-down foster parents discovered it, and I was sent playground equipment was the same stuff I to live in a group home for 11 months. It felt played on as a kid. When I got home, I put like I had lost everything. But the principal, together a letter to send to the St. Mary’s Dr. Eberle, told me he saw something in me families, asking for donations for new and let me stay at St. Mary’s. equipment. [Note: $25,000 was raised for a new play structure. Father Atwell is hoping How did moving into the home of Mike and for additional donations to be able to get Janel Schmitz change your life? something for the very young children, too.]

I was in a group home part of my I heard you met your father for the first time. sophomore year. Their two boys had How did that come about? attended St. Mary’s, and their oldest son, Jason, heard about me from the head My mom was mistaken about who my real basketball coach. “He needs someone to father was. A cousin saw a picture of me in save him,” the coach told Jason. Jason told the paper during basketball season and his parents, who felt God was calling them showed it to him. We look exactly alike. In to take me in. Even though I had decided to February, once he found out about me, he live with my grandma Betty, the Schmitzes drove here from South Dakota to the rest of went through foster-care licensing and my basketball games and was at my invited me to their home to meet them that graduation. It was the first time I ever had a summer. They immediately hugged me parent in the stands at one of my basketball when I walked in the door. From the start, games. everything clicked. I have been treated like one of their own sons and am still a part of Why did you choose to attend the University their family. Once I felt like I was loved and of Mary?

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At St. Mary’s, even sports are centered on What is the Catholic environment on faith. No matter, win or lose, we still prayed campus like? after the games. It was an example that, in life, even when something goes wrong, you It is very awesome. The students and shouldn’t forget about your faith. teachers on campus are very positive. There is a chapel in a building connected to my I want to embrace the Catholic Faith. It’s dorm, so if I need to pray and collect myself, one of the reasons I chose to attend the it’s open 24/7 for any student to go in there. University of Mary — for the support to live Also, there is daily Mass on campus, and it. I really believe in the Catholic Faith, there are a couple of Masses on Sundays. [Church teaching], especially the marriage part. I had a marriage and family life class What does the future hold? my senior year at St. Mary’s [high school], and I also witnessed the benefits of a strong Someone has already promised me an marriage from Mike and Janel. internship as a stockbroker when I graduate. I also want to become a motivational I also appreciate that they try to graduate speaker and find ways to help students in four years. underprivileged kids and young adults. I want to give hope to others that things can What is your favorite subject? get better.

English composition, because I love to write essays and tell my story. Most of my essay Patti Armstrong May 12, 2015 papers are stories from my life, so I thrive in National Catholic Register this class.

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Vatican to Address ‘Educational Emergency’ at World Congress Marking Key Anniversaries

Marking the anniversaries of two critical of Gravissimum Educationis and Ex corde Vatican documents on education, the Ecclesiae. Vatican’s Congregation for Catholic Education is preparing for a World Congress The Congregation disclosed a five-point this year to address the growing agenda for the Congress: “educational emergency” in Catholic education. • To offer schools and universities a place where they can dialogue and debate This year is the 50th anniversary of the about the challenges that the “educational Vatican II Declaration on Christian emergency” unavoidably provokes for our Education, Gravissium Educationis , issued societies, educational systems and the by Pope Paul VI in 1965, and the 25th Church; anniversary of the Apostolic Constitution on Catholic Universities, Ex corde Ecclesiae , • In light of ethical and religious issued by Saint Pope John Paul II in 1990. principles, to draft a written analysis of the above-mentioned challenges and their But while the anniversaries call for repercussions for every field of education. celebration of the important mission of All those involved in this important area will Catholic education, the Congregation for thus have a chance to make their Catholic Education plans to discuss some of contribution; the more critical concerns in education when its World Congress meets in Rome on • In light of the Magisterium, to November 18-21. examine in greater depth the ideas that education is proposing and developing about “As part of these celebrations, the humanity and society; Congregation aims to re-energize the Church’s commitment to education, by • To formulate useful suggestions and means of this World Congress,” the guidelines; Congregation states on its website. “In the years following the Second Vatican Council, • To draft together, as members of the the Magisterium has repeatedly spoken of Church, a message that is meaningful, the importance of education, and has also descriptive and challenging. invited the Christian community to play its part in education — particularly in the face The Congregation anticipates that Pope of today’s obvious, and often critical, Francis will be in attendance on the last day ‘educational emergency.’” of the Congress and will offer his own words on education. According to the A preliminary “forum” will take place in Congregation, the time with the Holy Father Paris on June 3 to celebrate the anniversaries is intended “to draw conclusions from what

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has emerged during the Congress, looking run by individuals and teams who are towards the future with hope and trust, inspired by the Gospel, who have been encouraged by the words of Pope Francis.” formed in Christian pedagogy, in tune with Catholic schools’ educational project, and Discussion topics have not been disclosed, not by people who are prone to being yet several discussion sessions will be seduced by fashionability, or by what can divided into two sub-sessions, one for issues become an easier sell, to put it bluntly. pertaining to colleges and one for schools. The central session on November 18-19 will Another challenge is the preparation of focus on three major themes of education: teachers, an increasingly prominent concern the identity and mission of Catholic in the United States that has led to institutions, the subjects of education, and improvements in teacher contracts and the formation of teachers. employee handbooks in dioceses around the country — but also the opposition of The Congregation’s meaning of an dissenting teachers and organizations to “educational emergency” is revealed in the Archbishop Salvatore Cordileone’s Instrumentum Laboris issued last year in expectations for teachers in San Francisco. preparation for the World Congress. Titled To better prepare teachers for Catholic Educating Today and Tomorrow: A education, the Congregation urges training Renewing Passion, the document urges to ensure that teachers “are willing to improved Catholic identity, promotes embrace and share a specific evangelical teacher training and witness to the Catholic identity, as well as a consistent lifestyle.” faith, and even appears to oppose Expressing concern that “the number of workplace-driven mutations like the educators as teachers who are believers is Common Core State Standards. shrinking, hence making Christian testimony more rare,” the Congregation seeks ways to The first “challenge” for Catholic ensure that “a bond with Jesus Christ” is elementary and secondary education cited in established. the Instrumentum Laboris is “the challenge of identity,” with emphasis on the fidelity of As for the content of Catholic education, the educators: Congregation seems to have little regard for economy-driven “reforms” like the Common Spiritual poverty and declining cultural Core that disregard the integral formation of levels are starting to produce their dismal students, especially moral and spiritual effects, even within Catholic schools. Often development: times, authoritativeness is being undermined. It is really not a matter of Educating is a lot more than just instructing discipline — parents greatly appreciate people. The European Union, OECD and Catholic schools because of their discipline World Bank highlight instrumental reason — but do some Catholic school heads still and competitiveness and have a merely have anything to say to students and their functional view of education, as if it were families? Is their authority based on formal legitimized only if it served the market rules or on the authoritativeness of their economy and the labor market: all this testimony? If we want to avert a gradual strongly reduces the educational content of impoverishment, Catholic schools must be many international documents, something

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that we see reflected also in several texts In the United States, there is no shortage of issued by education ministries. Schools concerns that might be discussed at the should not yield to this technocratic and World Congress. In the first few months of economic rationale, even if they are exposed 2015 alone, there have been several blatant to outside forces as well as market attempts attacks on Catholic education, including to use them instrumentally, even more so in groups that have schemed against bishops the case of Catholic schools. We do not reinforcing the Catholic identity of their mean in any way to belittle the demands of schools and unconstitutional laws which the economy or unemployment’s endanger the religious freedom of Catholic seriousness, but students need to be schools. respected as integral persons and be helped to develop a multiplicity of skills that enrich Justin Petrisek the human person, such as creativity, May 11, 2015 imagination, the ability to take on Catholic News Service responsibilities, to love the world, to cherish justice and compassion.

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U.S. Bishops’ Leader Says Catholic Schools ‘Exist to Proclaim Good News of Jesus Christ’

The very purpose of Catholic schools is to I was fortunate enough to have witness to Christ, said Archbishop Joseph benefitted from great teachers in the Kurtz of Louisville, Ky., president of the Catholic schools I attended from U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, this grades 1 to 12 and then, of course, in week in an exclusive statement to The the seminary. I remember with Cardinal Newman Society. special regard Sr. Mary Denis Woods, GNSH, who served as both “Catholic schools exist to proclaim the good the principal and 7th grade teacher at news of Jesus Christ to all the nations,” said St. Canicus School. It was in the 6th Archbishop Kurtz. grade when the idea of serving the Church first came to me, and she was Through Catholic school education, a great support and champion as I students are daily invited to know began this quest to find God’s Jesus personally, to love Him purpose in my life. intimately, and to serve Him wholeheartedly. As Pope Francis Students also need the help of reminds us in Evangelii Gaudium , educators to prepare them to serve ‘the joy of the Gospel fills the hearts God and society. and lives of all who encounter Jesus.’” “Each of us, through baptism, has a vocation,” said Archbishop Kurtz. The question of evangelization — and to what extent Catholic school In order to respond to this vocational teachers are expected to uphold the call, we need God’s grace as well as faith both inside and outside the the help of others in our life who classroom — has been controversial help us recognize how our gifts can in San Francisco, where dissenting be put to God’s service. organizations like Call to Action have been provoking opposition to He continued: Archbishop Salvatore Cordileone’s changes to a faculty handbook. But I believe that our Catholic schools other dioceses nationwide also have are among our most promising been working to improve Catholic institutions to serve as that “village schools by focusing greater attention fountain” — St. John XXIII’s image on Catholic identity. evoked in the final message of the 2012 Synod of Bishops on the New Archbishop Kurtz highlighted the important Evangelization — in which faith, role of faithful Catholic teachers in his own family, and learning come together life: to provide children and youth with a solid preparation for life, preparing

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them to be good citizens of both with a commitment to the common heaven and earth. good.

And even non-Catholics agree with this, said Such benefits deserve to be celebrated, even Archbishop Kurtz. in highly secular communities by people who are themselves uninterested in learning “Many others in the broader community the Catholic faith. assert the benefits of Catholic schools,” he said. “For decades, Catholic schools have made a difference, both in our Church and in the Employers experience good quality of life in our nation,” Archbishop character, discipline, unselfishness, Kurtz said. and well-developed skills in Catholic school graduates, and our schools Kimberly Scharfenberger develop future good citizens imbued May 5, 2015 Catholic Education Daily

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Diocese Launches Multimedia Campaign in Support of Catholic Schools

LAWRENCEVILLE, N.J. — The Bishop of issues a special invitation to parents of Trenton has a lot of good things to say about children in parish religious education the Catholic schools in his Diocese, and he programs. is doing it in a newly-produced video entitled “Catholic Schools Have it All.” But his message is not limited to an appeal for enrollment. An array of voices and personal stories about Catholic schools back up Bishop Bishop O’Connell also states, “Catholic David M. O’Connell, C.M., in the 13-minute schools are every Catholic’s business,” production that serves as the anchor for a adding that every parishioner, whether they comprehensive, multimedia campaign that have school-aged children or no children, began to roll out earlier this month. The has a stake in the future of Catholic schools. CSHIA campaign also includes billboards, He urges all Catholics to “find out about posters to be hung in parishes and schools your Catholic school; see what is needed and a dedicated website. Additional there.” elements, such as digital advertising, are also planned. The Bishop specifically mentions Catholic school alumni, encouraging them to In the video, Bishop O’Connell shares his reconnect with their Catholic school and family’s stories, and relates how his “pay forward the gifts you have been given.” Catholic school background played a significant part in forming him into who he In producing the video, staff and partners of has become as a man of faith, a priest and the Diocese’s Department of Radio and now a bishop. He expresses his belief that Television made a whirlwind tour through Catholic schools are a vital part of the future schools and churches across Burlington, of the Church. Mercer, Monmouth and Ocean counties. They captured classroom segments, and A key part of his message is aimed directly taped interviews with pastors, principals, at Catholic parents whose children are not in teachers and parents, all who candidly Catholic school. Bishop O’Connell shared their perspectives on the value of encourages them to take a close look at Catholic school and the importance of Catholic school and fully and prayerfully making it a priority. consider enrolling their children there. He asks families to consider how different their http://www.dioceseoftrenton.org child’s life would be as a result of receiving April 23, 2015 an education centered on Christ, and he

The Catholic Educator 18 Fall 2015

Two Programs Help Students Most in Need

Political apathy leads to missed Poor parents, like parents everywhere, want opportunities to change at least some lives their children to grow strong; to have their for the better — especially those of the talents take them as far as they can go. But people Jesus referred to as "the least of without a quality education, these hopes will these," our poor. remain unfulfilled, and another generation of deep poverty will persist. Our state and city are at a critical juncture. Philadelphia's urban life is a mix of This is painfully ironic because at the immense possibility and energy and very moment, thousands of seats sit empty in serious problems. Some recent reports safe, high-quality Catholic and private suggest that Philadelphia is not just the schools throughout the region. Lifelines to a poorest big city in the country, but also the good education do exist to help poor one with the highest rate of deep poverty, families, but, as so often happens, political defined as afflicting those living on less than conflicts stand in the way. $6,000 per year or raising a child on less than $7,600 per year. Catholic social teaching is built on a commitment to the poor. Few things are The lack of quality education is a common more important to people in poverty than thread among people in severe poverty. And ensuring their children's education as a path once stuck in deep poverty, it's very hard for to a better life. If the future of Philadelphia anyone to escape due to a lack of the skills and Pennsylvania depends on an educated, needed to secure and hold employment. productive public — and it obviously does Education is a vital issue in Pennsylvania — then providing every means to ensure politics. The fate of many thousands of young people a good education becomes a children, and to a large extent the future of matter of social justice. Prudent lawmakers our city, will be decided over the next few from both major parties have understood this months and years. Philadelphia has some of for years. They need to feel our support in the highest-performing schools in the the voting booth and throughout their public Commonwealth. Unfortunately, they're the service. exception. The point is this: Proper funding for public Despite many excellent teachers and schools is clearly important. But experience administrators, more than two-thirds of has already shown that this can't be the only Philadelphia district schools are on the strategy because it doesn't work for many of Commonwealth's list of the poorest- the students who most urgently need a good performing schools. The children who attend education. It's therefore vital that our elected these troubled schools are overwhelmingly officials serve the real education needs of poor and from minority backgrounds. Their the poor by supporting school choice. chances of finding a way out of poverty as they mature are slim. Currently in Harrisburg, House Bill 752 proposes to increase the Commonwealth's Educational Improvement Tax Credits to

The Catholic Educator 19 Fall 2015

$170 million and Opportunity Scholarship Tax Credits to $80 million. Rep. Jim Christiana (R., Beaver) is the prime sponsor. The speaker of the House, Rep. Mike Turzai (R., Allegheny), has identified this legislation as a priority. A number of Democrats and Republicans from the Philadelphia area have co-sponsored the bill.

These successful tax-credit programs fund scholarship organizations that enable tens of thousands of students, including those who are most needy, to attend good schools of their choice. Catholic and other nongovernment schools benefit greatly from these programs — but only indirectly, and only because parents and students freely choose them because of their quality. In fact, many of the students in our inner-city schools who benefit from the tax-credit programs are not Catholic. Our schools welcome them as part of our Gospel commitment to the common good.

With so much at stake in this year's state budget debate, lawmakers need vigorous constituent feedback. Public support for these tax credits, and for the legislators who advance them, is essential to ensuring that these valuable programs, which benefit so many poor families, continue and grow.

Archbishop Charles J. Chaput April 17, 2015 www.philly.com

The Catholic Educator 20 Fall 2015

The Goal of Classical Education Is Truth

“The least initial deviation from the truth is they can swell a river into a flood. This multiplied later a thousandfold.” Aristotle phenomenon is occurring in America’s wrote this in the fourth century B.C. in a text schools, public and parochial. called On the Heavens. Sixteen hundred years later Thomas Aquinas began his How have our nation’s public schools treatise On Being and Essence by reached the point where many of them no paraphrasing Aristotle: “Because a small longer teach grammar? It has happened error in the beginning grows enormous at because schools deviated from the truth the end.…” The application of this wisdom about language, which Josef Pieper to the moral life might be rather obvious. characterized as a participation in truth. This Tell a lie once, however small, and you will presupposes contemplation and a degree of probably end up telling more. While it’s clarity in articulation. Clarity in written easy to see, in the realms of space or articulation presupposes an order in the morality, how a slight error can lead to symbols used to communicate an idea, what enormous complications later, these maxims we call language. When schools began are not only meaningful for astrophysicists prioritizing self-expression, grammar and theologians. Teachers and school became irksome, restrictive. Language is no administrators would do well to reflect on longer about a reciprocal participation in these words as well. truth, a means of communion, but rather a tool forced into the service one’s own In my classroom, a student will occasionally sentimental and fickle demands. Commas, say something like, “What’s the big deal apostrophes, and correct capitalization now about a comma? Does it really matter?” A are seen as anachronistic obstacles rather parent might complain when I take a point than manifestations of an order inherent in off their child’s math test because he wrote language that aid clarity and facilitate 28 cm, instead of 28 cm2. “Clearly, he knew mutual understanding. It was only a matter the answer, as you can see from his work.” of time before grammar was jettisoned The parent is asking the same question: altogether. And, since excellence in writing Does it really matter? My answer is always, is no longer required, neither is excellence in “Yes, it absolutely matters because 28 thinking because the two are inextricably centimeters is not the same thing as 28 joined. Couple this with an endless selection square centimeters.” That is simply the truth. of graphic organizers and bookless curricula, If teachers don’t communicate this and who needs to write anymore? consistently to their students and the students’ parents, we are acquiescing in a State boards of education packed with tendency toward cavalier mediocrity and the ostensible experts also deviated from the importance of truth withers away. If we truth. When “the test” began demanding decide how we say or write things does not knowledge of elements of literature, for matter, we will soon show the same example, reading became analysis. Find the disregard for what we say or write. theme, graph the plot, describe the Augustine put it another way observing that resolution. Let’s dispense with the quaint although rain drops may be small, together notion of our students sitting down together

The Catholic Educator 21 Fall 2015

to talk about a story, why their hearts cry out hand, “properly refers to a completed for Oliver Twist or why they feel conflicted development, or the whole tendency of the about Pinocchio. Training students to mind toward it.” Barzun views this shift as explicitly define terms does not foster a love an error because “thinking that we can give for literature, nor does it provide a means of an education, we make wild claims and measuring their ability to understand and promises and forget to teach what is engage with a great story. Over time, in fact, teachable.” Also forgotten, Barzun observes, it has the opposite effect. It kills the sense of is that education, properly understood, wonder and erodes the imaginative faculty means the student assumes most of the of a child, subsequently causing a gradual responsibility, not the teacher. The teacher’s closing of their minds to any possibility of responsibility is pedagogy. The result of the supranatural realities. If we want our confusion leads to writing lessons or art students to understand how great writers classes, for example, aimed at self- create great literature, let’s give them expression merely. Students will become Aristotle’s Poetics when they are poets and painters while understanding developmentally ready for it. nothing of poetry or technique. Each teacher must, Merlin-like, magically create this In the meantime, children should be transformation. Too many of them think immersed in the wonderful worlds of they can because they have been fed a fairytale, myth, folklore, and poetry. steady diet of the latest methodology — Focusing young students on the mechanics complete with its own system of cryptic of a story rather than the story is like giving terminology — devised by a Ph.D. at a state them a gift and ordering them not to open it university. This is where the absurdities to find the surprise hidden inside, but rather originate. The full perspective of education to analyze the box, wrapping paper, and as a twelve- to sixteen-year prospect ribbon, and then describe it to you in involving a team comprised of parents, writing, which they will not be able to do many teachers, and the student himself, is because we stopped teaching them how to either forgotten or ignored. Never mind articulate their thoughts clearly in written memorization, recitation, technique, and language. Proponents of classical education grammar. They must express themselves as have been warning that the new national poets and painters, and they must do so now. standards currently under consideration will turn reading into research, as up to 70 Catholics schools have been affected, too. percent of the content mandated will be Catholic institutions ought to be bulwarks comprised of informational text. “A small against the secular absurdities denigrating error at the beginning.…” public education, yet they have too often been complicit in advancing them. This Where did the first small error occur? phenomenon began with the liberalization Jacques Barzun wrote that “the error began and subsequent decimation of the religious with the replacement of the word orders, which had succumbed to the deviant ‘pedagogy’ with the word ‘education’.” claims of modern feminism. Catholic Barzun acknowledges a certain lack of schools turned to the laity for teachers. But, beauty in the word pedagogy, but defends it the Catholic laity was quickly absorbing the by saying the word “sticks to the point of errors of moral relativism. Although the teaching.” The word education, on the other external trappings of Catholic identity

The Catholic Educator 22 Fall 2015

remained in place, internally Catholic instance, the Catholic schools become data- schools began to resemble public schools. driven, test-focused institutions with little The fact that Catholic School Offices in concern for each child’s soul and ultimate dioceses all over the country now find it destiny. In the latter case, the pastor assumes necessary to form committees to assess and a myopic perspective that sees the school develop Catholic identity in their schools is only as a seminary for children. Curriculum a disheartening indication that something in such a school is only useful as a means integral to Catholic education has been lost. for forming young people who consider no Other than the school’s name and a weekly other calling in life but priesthood or Mass, parents can no longer be certain their religious life. In both scenarios, poor hiring child is, in fact, attending a Catholic school, decisions are made which impoverish the even if they are paying $4000 per year in overall life of the school both spiritually and tuition. intellectually. When the only concern is academics, classrooms are led by men and Well-intentioned efforts to reverse the women who often see Church teaching as deterioration of Catholic education optional and the Faith as little more than frequently veer into a false dichotomy quaint stories we tell to the little ones. When resulting from the same confusion about the only concern is catechesis, classrooms pedagogy and education noted by Barzun. It tend to be led by unthinking zealots who should not be assumed a pastor, or even a make an idol of the Church. The only bishop, understands education. It’s a hard geometry such teachers concern themselves thing to run a school well. However, the with is the 90 [degree] angle they expect leadership of too many Catholic schools with each genuflection. They raise the began looking to the languishing public axiom lex orandi lex credendi to the height sector for ideas. State legislatures are partly of pharisaical obsession, which leaves the to blame for the general decline because, by students impoverished intellectually, and defining successful education according to skeptical about the Christian message of an interpretation of data based on flawed love. standardized tests, they encouraged public and parochial schools to do the same. Thus, Catholics schools have their own tradition to Catholic schools have also become pattern their schools upon. That tradition is susceptible to making false promises about generally called the liberal arts. In classical what they can do, and adapted too readily to terms, it is called the trivium and the standardized demands of the state by quadrivium methods. A properly organized uncritically incorporating the methodologies Catholic school ought to provide spiritual of the “experts.” In this Catholic schools formation and intellectual formation have, like the public schools, reduced their simultaneously by immersing its students in students to data points. the manifestations of God’s love for us found in the good news of the Gospel, and in This false dichotomy results in monolithic the ordered beauty we see all around us, approaches to reform within the school from the atom to the most expansive focused either on academics or spiritual galaxies in space, from a knowledge of formation. Neither extreme is good because American history to a well-crafted sentence. it excludes the rightful place of the other, When I was a middle school teacher at a diminishing the value of both. In the first Catholic school, I used to remind my

The Catholic Educator 23 Fall 2015

colleague who taught math and science that of those who have done it well before them. he was, in a certain respect, better positioned This is part of pedagogy and it is a to evangelize our students than I was as the component of any classical curriculum. The religion teacher. My students expected me to teachers at my classical academy are blessed talk to them about God and the Church. Yet, that we get to teach grammar, spelling, to find those same theological truths written cursive, and sentence diagramming using the into creation itself! What is the study of sentences of great writers as our models; math, science, and grammar if not the that we allow our students first to simply discovery of a rational, intelligible order? It listen attentively to Mozart and Beethoven; must not be left to the religion teacher alone that we encourage them to marvel at the to evangelize students in a Catholic school. soaring lines of gothic architecture and try to Moreover, we must stop viewing grammar imitate them; that we reveal to them how as a boring set of rules. Grammar is the Castilian Spanish is also characterized by revelation of an order inherent in language principles of order, just like English; that we which makes possible that “sweet discourse” engage them in athletic competition as an Adam longs for in Milton’s Paradise Lost. exercise in virtue, not just an exercise. And, how blessed our students are at our school Catholic schools can find some useful that they get to read stories and talk about models for renewal of their own schools them, whether they can define “rising within the growing movement toward action” or not. classical education. There are now many private and charter institutions patterned Yet, one thing we may not do, since we are upon the classical model. Charters like Great not a Catholic academy, is link the pursuit of Hearts Academies, the writer’s current truth, goodness, and beauty to the One Who employer, offer helpful models for is truth, goodness, and beauty. The full intellectual formation. Consulting home reformation and redemption of education in schooling organizations, such as Memoria America can only be accomplished through Press with its “classical core curriculum,” a Catholic academy, patterned upon the would help Catholic schools understand how classical models of the trivium and catechesis and the liberal arts can quadrivium. In the meantime, Catholic complement each other. Why is the classical parents in my city have a viable school model the right one for Catholic schools? It option at least for the intellectual formation is the best option because, elevated and of their children in an environment that is redeemed by Catholicism in the Middle not toxic to their child’s soul. Sadly, this is Ages, this method of education meets both more than many Catholic school parents can the spiritual and intellectual needs of the say. person, it eliminates the confusion between pedagogy and education, and it properly Tom Jay delineates the roles of student, teacher, and April 15, 2015 school in the formation of a young soul. Crisis

Getting first principles wrong means getting Tom Jay is a teacher at Archway Classical much more wrong, too. One first principle is Academy charter school in Scottsdale, imitation. Students learn to speak, write, Arizona. paint, and play music well through imitation

The Catholic Educator 24 Fall 2015

Catholic Schools Are ‘Vehicles’ of Pro-Life Movement, Say Pro-Life Leaders

With a growing emphasis on the Church's nothing else out there like this program,” pro-life teachings in Catholic education and Daub said. demand for pro-life curricula, Catholic schools have the opportunity to become There are a lot of virtue-based indispensable “vehicles” in the pro-life programs but nothing that is similar movement, said The Cardinal Newman to the Culture of Life Studies Society’s Dr. Jamie Arthur. Program, in that we are taking the experience of those in the pro-life “As an apostolate of the Church, Catholic movement and the experience of schools become a vehicle through which teachers, home school parents, and pro-life teachings are conveyed and students administrators in creating these are given the opportunity to defend the supplements. sanctity of life and dignity of the human person,” stated Arthur, manager of the “Faithful to the teachings of the Catholic Newman Society’s Catholic Education Church, all of our supplements use Honor Roll. Scripture, the Catechism, and other Church documents to explain and support the “We’ve talked to a lot of teachers who have Church’s position on life issues,” Daub told us that they would like to incorporate continued. “This battle will only be won by pro-life principles into their curriculum, but equipping the younger generations with they don’t have the time to do all the absolute truth and the courage and wisdom research,” Cathy Daub told the Newman to stand up for that truth,” Daub said. “The Society. Daub, director of the American Life best way to accomplish this is to bring League’s Culture of Life Studies Program together teachers with pro-life leaders and (CLSP), is part of one organization hoping subject-matter experts.” to meet those needs by doing the research that teachers need to be successful in the Pro-life education is a “natural fit especially classroom. in Catholic schools,” Daub observed.

“The beauty of this program is that we work We are called to witness to the with the best of the best in the pro-life Gospel of Life. We are called to movement — pro-life leaders, lawyers, stand up and fight. The CLSP will scientists — and we’re marrying them to offer teachers and parents a place to teachers, home school parents, school go to both educate themselves and administrators,” Daub said. learn how to best communicate the pro-life truths to their students. The CLSP offers educational supplements that can be easily adapted to classroom Justin Petrisek lessons and even entire courses. “There’s March 27, 2015 Catholic Education Daily

The Catholic Educator 25 Fall 2015

Cincinnati Superintendent Defends Notion of Catholic School Teacher as ‘Minister’

Archbishop Salvatore Cordileone’s of Jesus Christ,” Rigg said. “We must references to the “ministry” of Catholic ensure that our youth are well formed in education may be controversial in San their faith, and are equipped to boldly Francisco, but in other dioceses like the evangelize in a world that desperately needs Archdiocese of Cincinnati, the same them.” language is already embraced in Catholic As more dioceses consider adopting the schools. terms “minister” or “ministry” to apply to Teachers in Catholic schools serve an the duties of Catholic school teachers, Rigg essential function in evangelizing their offered compelling reasons to do so. “Our students and should understand their role as teachers are the hands, feet, and heart of “ministers,” says Jim Rigg, superintendent Jesus to the children that they serve,” he of Catholic schools in the Archdiocese of said, adding that Catholic schools “are Cincinnati. The Cardinal Newman Society carrying on the very teaching ministry of spoke to him this week about the Christ, passed on to us through the centuries irreplaceable role that teachers play in by the disciples, saints, and countless spiritually forming their students and the Catholic teachers who have dedicated their Archdiocese’s strategies in faithful faculty lives to the vocation of Catholic education.” formation. He stressed that Catholic identity “must be “To be a Catholic school teacher is to be a part of the very ethos of the school” and minister,” Rigg insisted. “The most should permeate “every lesson, every important job our teachers have is to relationship, and every communication.” evangelize their students. If our teachers are To aid this effort, the Archdiocese of not enabling our students to draw closer to Cincinnati provides “interview questions Christ, we are failing in our mission as designed to measure whether a teacher Catholic educators.” understands our unique ministry” and offers Rigg has worked in Cincinnati since 2010 as “diocesan-level trainings for new teachers director of educational services and on the basics of the Catholic faith, with an superintendent of schools. Last year, the emphasis on how the teacher can evangelize Archdiocese announced that more explicit his/her students.” Starting this fall, the language would be included in its teacher Archdiocese will also provide a new contracts, in order to fully convey Church program to impart “what it means to be a teaching on important issues and to ensure ‘teacher-minister,’ and how this ministry that faculty are well-informed of their directly connects to the ministry of Christ.” responsibilities. All of these efforts are directly tied to the Speaking to the Newman Society, Rigg future of the Church, Rigg indicated. “Our delved into the duty of Catholic schools to future will be built by our young, who will evangelize to the youth, particularly as they one day be charged with leading our form the future of the Catholic Church. “We Church,” he said, noting that evangelizing need to vigorously convey the truth and life the youth “can only be achieved by working

The Catholic Educator 26 Fall 2015

in concert with engaged parents and vibrant personal integrity of the individuals sharing parishes.” the Gospel message” in Catholic schools. As Though evangelization to the young can be such, “all teachers in Catholic schools have achieved through various forms of schooling the duty and responsibility of sharing the and community, Catholic schools in Good News and evangelizing the hearts of particular “have a tremendous track record their students.” of success” with graduates being “more She continued: likely to pray daily, attend church regularly, Stepping into a Catholic school, one and give back to their church through should get the impression that they service and financial donations,” remarked are in a unique and different Rigg. environment. It’s not only the To this effect, Archbishop Cordileone has environment, but the community and been acting courageously in the Archdiocese culture of a Catholic school that is of San Francisco, ensuring that teachers in unique, in part because of the diocesan Catholic schools are fully aware of personal witness of those individuals Church teaching on modern issues through working within the school. revised faculty handbooks that provide Bearing this in mind, more dioceses explication and clarity. His efforts have affirming their faculty’s responsibility of stirred some controversy in the Archdiocese, evangelizing students will lead to more but they have also been lauded by numerous faithful Catholic schools—something that is teachers and Catholic communities as “essential for the future of the Church,” necessary efforts to protect the Catholic Rigg concluded. identity of his schools. Kimberly Scharfenberger Denise Donohue, deputy director of K-12 March 27, 2015 programs for The Cardinal Newman Catholic Education Daily Society, said that bishops have the prerogative of ensuring “the authentic and

The Catholic Educator 27 Fall 2015

Pope's Address to Italian Catholic Teachers Union (UCIIM)

VATICAN CITY, March 16, 2015 Your association has completed 70 years: (Zenit.org) — Here below is a translation of it’s a good age! It’s right to celebrate, but Pope Francis' address to members of the one also can begin to evaluate the life. Italian Catholic Union of School Teachers (UCIIM) Saturday at noon in the Vatican's When you were born, in 1944, Italy was still Paul VI Hall: at war. Since then, it’s made quite some progress! The school has also made Dear gentlemen and lady colleagues, progress. And Italian schools went forward thanks also to the contribution of your Allow me to call you thus, because like you, Association, which was founded by I also was a teacher and I have a lovely Professor Gesualdo Nosengo, a teacher of memory of the days spent in the classroom religion who felt the need to gather the with students. I greet you cordially and I secondary school teachers at that time, who thank the president for his courteous words. acknowledged their Catholic faith and work in the school with this inspiration. Teaching is a very beautiful work. It’s too bad that teachers are poorly paid, because Over all these years, you’ve made the it’s not only the time they spend in the country grow, you contributed to reform school. They must prepare themselves, they schools and, above all, you contributed, must think of each one of the pupils: how to educating generations of young people. help them to go forward. Isn’t it so? It’s an injustice. I think of my country, which is the Italy has changed in 70 years, schools have one I know: poor things, to have a stipend changed, but there are always teachers ready that is more or less useful, they must work to commit themselves in their profession two sessions! However, how does a teacher with the enthusiasm and willingness that end the day after coping with two sessions? faith in the Lord gives us. It’s a badly paid job, but very beautiful because it enables us to see the persons As Jesus taught us, the whole Law and the entrusted to our care grow day after day. It’s Prophets are summarized in two somewhat like being parents, at least Commandments: love your Lord God and spiritually. It’s also a great responsibility. love your neighbor (Cf. Matthew 22:34-40). We could ask ourselves: Who is a teacher’s Teaching is a serious endeavor, which only a neighbor? His “neighbors” are his students! mature and balanced personality can It is with them that he spends his day. They undertake. Such a commitment can strike are the ones who expect guidance from him, fear in one’s heart, but one must recall that direction, an answer and, even before that, no teacher is alone: he always shares his good questions! work with his colleagues and with all the educational community to which he belongs. Among the UCIIM’s tasks, which cannot be lacking, is a correct idea of the school, clouded sometimes by reductive discussions and positions. The school is certainly about

The Catholic Educator 28 Fall 2015

valid and qualified instruction, but also The Christian community has so many about human relations, which on our part are examples of great educators who dedicated relations of hospitality, of benevolence, to themselves to fill the voids of school be given to all indistinctly. In fact, the duty formation or founded schools in turn. of a good teacher — all the more so if he is a Among others, we think of Saint John Christian teacher — is that of loving with Bosco, the bicentenary of whose birth we greater intensity the more difficult, the observe this year. He counselled his priests: weaker and the more disadvantaged pupils. educate with love. The first attitude of an Jesus would say: if you love only those who educator is love. It is to these figures, you study, who are well behaved, what merit also can look, Christian teachers, to animate have you? And if there are those that make from within a school that — leaving out of us lose our patience, we must love them consideration of its State or non-State more! Any teacher is at ease with these management — is in need of credible students. I ask you to love the “difficult” educators and witnesses of a mature and students more, those who don’t want to complete humanity. Witness — and this is study, those who are in conditions of not purchased, it’s not sold: it’s offered. hardship, the disabled, the foreigners, who today are a great challenge for the schools. As an association you are by nature open to the future, because there are always new If a professional association of Christian generations of young people to whom to teachers wants to witness its own transmit the patrimony of knowledge and inspiration, it is called to commit itself in the values. On the professional plane, it’s peripheries of the school, which cannot be necessary to update one’s own didactical abandoned to marginalization, ignorance competencies, also in the light of the new and a bad life. In a society that struggles to technologies; however, teaching is not only find points of reference, it is necessary that a job: teaching is a relation in which every young people find a positive reference in the teacher must feel totally involved as a school. It can do so or become so if it has person, to give meaning to the educational within itself teachers that are capable of task to ones’ pupils. Your presence here giving meaning to the school, to study and today is proof that you have those to culture, without reducing everything only motivations of which the school is in need. to the transmission of technical knowledge, I encourage you to renew your passion for but aiming to build an educational relation man — one cannot teach without passion! with each one of the students, who must feel — in his process of formation, and to be accepted and loved for who he is, with all witnesses of life and of hope. Never, never his limitations and potentiality. In this sense, close a door; open all of them wide, so that your task is all the more necessary. And you students will have hope. must teach not only the contents of a subject, but also the values of life and habits I ask you, also, to pray for me and invite you of life — the three things you must transmit. all, to pray to Our Lady, asking for Her To learn the content, a computer is blessing. sufficient, but to understand how one loves, to understand what the values and habits are May 7, 2013 that create harmony in society, a good teachers is necessary.

The Catholic Educator 29 Fall 2015

Pedaling Catholic Education

Father James Sullivan was ordained in May It’s no secret that the majority of schools 2014 for the Archdiocese of Hartford, Conn. need significant fundraising efforts in order His journey took him from co-owning a to operate properly. Speaking recently to my home-contracting company with his brother sister, Sister Veronica Mary Sullivan of the to the priesthood. Today, he serves a group Sisters of Life, about this, she knew how of parishes in Torrington, Conn. much I loved bicycle riding — I’ve been an avid bike rider all my life. She said, “Why In an earlier interview with the Register, he don’t you do that to raise funds and to described his vocational discernment: “The promote the school?” Lord called, and the desire then became so strong that no other vocation for the We decided to have a destination. We remainder of my life even seemed remotely picked Emmitsburg, Md., because of the a consideration. So I gave my half of the connection with Sister Elizabeth Ann Seton, business to my brother. He’s doing fine, and who is credited with beginning the parochial he’s very happy that I pursued this. He and school system in the United States. This ride my family and many friends all knew this and destination — the National Shrine of St. day was coming, but God had not yet Elizabeth Ann Seton in Emmitsburg — is revealed it to me. When I meet the Lord one going to be a pilgrimage of prayer for the day, rather than ask, ‘Why now?’ I’m school and an opportunity to raise funds for simply going to say, ‘Thank you, Lord, for it. the beautiful gift of priesthood you’ve given me.’” All of a sudden, the plan seemed to grow. How did that happen? Now, his love for the priesthood and Catholic education combine with his I said to myself, “If I’m going on this ride, lifelong interest in bicycling in “Our why ride alone?” As I talked to other people, Father’s Ride,” which he is leading this it began to develop it. Based on the desire to spring. promote the schools and the face of Catholic education, as well as the financial needs that How and why did you form “Our Father’s we have, I also thought it would put a Ride”? wonderful face on the priesthood, having priests ride for their schools. Being a new priest and a priest in a parish with a school, I have quickly come to love I met with our Archbishop Leonard Blair, and appreciate Catholic education even and he gave us his blessing and support. I more than I have in the past. I have a great met with Dale Hoyt, the superintendent of love for the children in the school, too. My Catholic schools for the archdiocese and his own love for the Church was developed and staff, and they are extremely excited about nurtured greatly by my own Catholic it. I have their full support. education as a child. Now, we developed the website, which came out on Jan. 21.

The Catholic Educator 30 Fall 2015

When will this pilgrimage ride take place? My goal is to raise between $100,000 and We’re leaving on May 29, from our [St. $150,000. In Torrington, we already have a Peter/St. Francis] school in Torrington and $25,000 matching-gift donor. I think other riding seven miles to the Lourdes in schools can do the same. It’s such a unique Litchfield Shrine in Litchfield, Conn. I’m fundraising opportunity that people will going to ride myself, and the older school gravitate to it. children, the principal of the school and parents are going to be riding with me for It’s one thing to ask a person for a $100 those seven miles through the scenic donation for the school. It’s an entirely Litchfield landscape to the shrine. different question to ask, “Will you support me in a pilgrimage of prayer for our school Other priests will join me there. We will if your priest is riding 350 miles? Will you have the formal sendoff at 10 a.m., after give me 35 cents a mile?” Morning Prayer and the blessing of the bikes. Then we’ll travel 50 miles a day, People are already saying, “Father, I would which is considered a moderate distance, so love to help you on this.” They see their as to include those riders who might be a priest putting in a strong effort out of love little older but still in good riding shape who for the school. would like to join us in the ride. For this ride, a priest needs to be in reasonable shape Every priest will be riding for his own but doesn’t need to be an athlete. school.

Who will the riders be? Is this only for priests and seminarians from your diocese? It is for priests and seminarians. Each priest will be riding for his own school, so there is We’re inviting priests from all over the incentive to raise as much funds as Connecticut and from “wherever.” As we go possible for his school, through per-mile through New York, we hope to pick up New sponsorships by individuals and businesses. York priests; the same from New Jersey and We have 58 schools in the Archdiocese of Pennsylvania. We’re going to contact the Hartford. I plan to call each of them to see if bishops of other dioceses along the route for a priest can ride from that parish. If a priest their support. isn’t able to, we’re including the seminarians, so a seminarian can ride for the Priests anywhere, from up to 500 miles from particular school. the national shrine, can also join us. We all will meet there on the same day. We already We have just begun promoting the ride, and, seem to have some interest from priests in already, we have six priests interested. Each other dioceses. one has started to get into shape and propose the idea to businesses and individual It’s going to take us seven days — 50 miles sponsorships. a day. The route is all planned [a map appears on the website]. It’s on scenic roads What are you personally aiming to raise for not heavily traveled. Only priests coming your school? from different locations — leaving from

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Ohio, for example — will have to coordinate their own route We’ll be praying for them, so students can pray for us while we’re riding. It’s going to We’ll be staying at hotels and have Mass generate a lot of enthusiasm, not only among each morning before starting out. We’ll clergy, but among students and parents. arrive in Emmitsburg on June 4, spend the night at the Mount St. Mary’s Seminary, Have you done much long-distance have prayer, dinner and an evening of bicycling yourself? priestly fraternity; and then, the next morning, Friday, June 5, we will meet at the I’ve done bike riding for many years in National Shrine of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, different parts of the country. My bike is a for Mass, lunch and then departure. So it’s a 1990 Cannondale made in Connecticut. It one-way bike trip. We’re taking a bus back turns 25 this year! My bike has essentially to Connecticut. The bikes will go back by ridden around the world. truck. My bike riding is an opportunity for a Are you doing anything special along the retreat, a time of prayer and contemplation. way so that people know these are priests I’ve been doing that for years and years. On riding? a number of occasions, I rode to the National Shrine of Divine Mercy in We’re riding in our clerics. Bike shorts are Stockbridge, Mass., on a pilgrimage of black anyway. We’re going to have very prayer. safe orange reflector shirts and beneath that V-neck to see our black clerical shirts and In the ’90s, before becoming a deacon, I the collar. So we’re going to ride as priests rode from the Basilica of Notre Dame in and seminarians. That’s going to be very Montreal to my home in Connecticut and unique. Hopefully, we’ll be seeing 50 to 100 stopped at many churches along the way. priests riding together. Whenever I saw a Catholic church, I stopped in and said a prayer. Do you have any goals for along the way? What are your overall hopes for this If any Catholic schools in the towns we are pilgrimage ride? going through would like it, we will stop in maybe during the school day to give a talk It’s for Catholic education, and, at the same about the ride itself and about Catholic time, it’s also to promote the priesthood, education. This is a way to let them [the vocations and priestly fraternity, not to children and parents] see the love priests mention good health. I really think we’re have for Catholic schools. going to have a wonderful time together as priests. Since school will be in session, every day we’re going to Skype the schools we’re all I believe this pilgrimage can, by God’s riding for. Before the school day starts, the grace, be tremendously successful, kids are going to see how we’re doing and wonderful for both the priesthood and for where we are, so they can follow us along Catholic education. the way.

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Joseph Pronechen National Catholic Register January 26, 2015

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China Loves Our Catholic Schools

Bill Donohue comments on China’s university. Its students consistently score embrace of our Catholic schools: higher on standardized tests than both West Virginia public school students and the A delegation of top Chinese educators national average. wanting to learn about the achievement of U.S. elementary and secondary schools Chinese educators will never visit the public decided not to visit a single public school schools in Paterson, New Jersey. Figures district. Instead, they ventured yesterday to just released show that of a total of almost West Virginia to learn more about the 26,000 students in grades K-12, exactly 19 stunning success of schools in the Catholic of them earned SAT scores that are Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston. considered college ready. That is a success rate of .0007 percent. Moreover, 66 An entourage of educators from Wenzhou, employees who work in the Paterson school China, visited Wheeling Central Catholic district earn at least $125,000 a year. High School, the Challenger Learning Center at Wheeling Jesuit University, and The most reliable socio-economic ladder in St. Michael Parish School in Wheeling. the U.S., especially for minorities, is the They came to observe classes and learn Catholic schools. The Chinese Communists more about curricula, teacher training, know it. So why don’t minority leaders and student development, and school safety. urban mayors, as well as the president? Why They also sought to foster a student do they continually oppose vouchers for exchange program between the two cities. Catholic schools? They may not intend to keep minorities in their place, but what they The Chinese dignitaries chose the Diocese do surely has that effect. of Wheeling-Charleston schools because of the academic excellence that they provide. December 2, 2014 As is true nationwide of Catholic schools, www.catholicleague.org almost all the students in the diocese graduate and are accepted in a college or

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Omaha Archdiocese Unveils $2 million 'Awaken Greatness' Marketing Campaign for Catholic Schools

Archbishop George Lucas and Patrick let people know what the schools have to Slattery, superintendent of the Omaha offer: High-quality academics accompanied Archdiocese’s schools, took turns in front of by a focus on discipline, confidence and a classroom of uniformed fourth-graders values. The campaign’s tagline reads, “We Tuesday to launch a new $2 million plan for teach the biggest subjects.” marketing Catholic schools in northeast Nebraska. “I’ve had some folks say it’s the best-kept secret in town,” Slattery said. “It’s an The campaign, “Awaken Greatness,” excellent product. It shouldn’t be a secret.” focuses on the difference a Catholic education can make in the lives of students. Test scores at the schools consistently are Funding for the campaign comes from the higher than state and national averages, $40 million “Ignite the Faith” capital according to the archdiocese. High school campaign the archdiocese launched publicly graduation rates are above 98 percent, in January. That campaign, which now has including among students from inner-city met its goal, included $23 million to support schools where a majority qualify for free- Catholic education in the archdiocese’s 23- and reduced price meals. More than 96 county area. percent of archdiocese high school graduates pursue a post-high school education, Lucas said the archdiocese is blessed with archdiocese officials said. many strong Catholic schools that partner with parents in teaching academics and But Slattery said the schools’ story goes sharing the faith. beyond academics.

“We’re aware, though, that we could be “Our academic success is realized because partnering with even more families,” he we’re putting the heart first,” he said. said, speaking at All Saints School near 10th and Pierce Streets. The campaign is one of several major initiatives that have emerged from the The campaign, he said, is intended to reach archdiocese’s strategic vision for Catholic out to families who aren’t using the schools education, which also is serving as a and “to invite them in to get to know us and working strategic plan for the Catholic partner with us” in educating their children. Schools Office that Slattery heads. Slattery said the campaign will use advertising and social media as well as Enrollment this year across the word-of-mouth messaging to get the word archdiocese’s 70 schools — 17 high schools out over the next two years. and 53 grade schools — is about 18,900 this year, down from 19,100 last year. While one objective will be to fill seats in schools, the archdiocese’s broader goal is to

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Slattery said the pattern of decline is Slattery said the Omaha Archdiocese will consistent over the past 10 years but has not assess the impact of its efforts along the way been as steep as the national average. and tweak its approach if necessary. While he acknowledged some parents may have He said the archdiocese estimates that concerns about the cost of the schools, he schools in the metropolitan area alone could encouraged them to come talk to principals, fill 800 more seats without hiring more staff. pastors and staff in his office. In 2014, Pastors this year reported more than 53,000 families received $10 million in financial aid school-age Catholic children across the to attend the schools. archdiocese. “We want to make this a reality for The archdiocese will be creating a brand families,” he said. ambassador program for all 70 schools. That means establishing marketing committees, Other strategic initiatives under way in the in many cases volunteers, for all schools and archdiocese: sharing best practices. The program would include drafting parent ambassadors who » Schools are working to create individual can help spread the word. strategic plans.

The Archdiocese of Chicago has used a » The schools office is seeking a Latino number of such approaches since the mid- school enrollment coordinator to bolster 2000s to increase marketing and enrollment outreach to Latinos, part of the efforts at its schools. That archdiocese archdiocese’s larger aim of increasing created the Archdiocesan Marketing and Latino enrollment. Enrollment Network, or AMEN, to provide professional development and hands-on » Slattery and his staff are working on a instruction for school administrators, blended learning initiative to combine marketing and admissions staff, school distance learning and classroom instruction. board members and others. » Eight teachers, selected for their Since then, enrollment has stabilized, leadership potential, have begun a leadership declining only about 1 percent a year vs. 5 program at Creighton University to train to percent or more a decade ago, said Maria become principals. Ippolito, the archdiocese’s director of school marketing and communications. Julie Anderson December 2, 2014 Omaha.com

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Parents Fight Back Against Teachers' Union Suing Florida's Largest School Choice Program

Teachers’ unions in Florida continue to The second lawsuit argued that the threaten the educational opportunity of expansion of the scholarship program by thousands of the state’s most vulnerable lawmakers in June violated legislative children. procedure because it didn’t pass as a standalone measure; rather, the legislation But there is some good news: Leon County included a variety of education-related Circuit Court Judge George S. Reynolds III topics — including the passage of Florida’s granted parents of these children the right to first education savings account program. intervene on behalf of their children’s However, this lawsuit was dismissed by scholarships, which are awarded through the Leon County circuit court judge Charles corporate tuition tax credit scholarship Francis in September. program. The court found that the unions did not have “All three [of my] children are excelling standing to challenge the law, freeing nearly academically and socially in their respective 1,000 students to begin using their education schools under the scholarships,” said Cheryl saving account school choice option Joseph, a mother of three scholarship (Personal Learning Scholarship Accounts in recipients and one of 15 parents who were Florida) and allowing the Tax Credit granted a motion to intervene in the lawsuit. Scholarship eligibility to expand. Cheryl, like the other parents who filed, will not be able to send her children to their Despite this win for educational choice, the chosen school without the scholarship unions continue their attack on Florida’s funding. popular Tax Credit Scholarship option by opposing parents of scholarship students’ In August, the Florida Education motion to intervene and the state’s motion to Association and allies — including the dismiss. Florida School Boards Association, the PTA, Americans United for Separation of Enacted in 2001, the tax credit scholarships Church and State and others — filed two have enabled nearly 400,000 Florida lawsuits challenging the state’s 13-year-old students to attend a school of choice. This Tuition Tax Credit Scholarship program. year businesses contributed $357.8 million to non-profit groups providing scholarships The first suit claimed that the scholarship to 68,761 children to attend a private school violates the “no aid” clause and the of choice — most of whom are low-income “uniform public schools” clause of the minority children. Eligible children are from state’s constitution by allowing students to households with incomes of no more that take the aid to private schools, some with 185 percent of the federal poverty line. religious affiliation. Under the recently expanded tuition tax credit scholarship program, families at 260

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percent of the federal poverty line, or The Florida scholarships allow the most $62,010 for a household of four, will be economically disadvantaged children to eligible for partial scholarships during the choose an educational environment that best 2016-17 school year. meets their needs. According to Step Up for Students, the non-profit administering the The union suit implies that taxpayers are scholarships, 54 percent of the scholarship forced to support parochial education children are from single-parent households through public funds, but this is not the way and have an average household income of tax credit scholarships work. $24,067.

“Scholarship Tax Credit laws are privately These children are succeeding with their administered programs that rely on the scholarships. Research conducted by Dr. voluntary contributions of corporate David Figlio in 2011 found that students taxpayers who receive tax credits in return. enrolled in the scholarship program As the U.S. Supreme Court ruled, these performed slightly better than their peers in funds never become public funds because reading and math achievement levels. Other they do not ‘come into the tax collector’s research suggests that the public schools in hands,’” writes Cato Institute education Florida are improving because of increased policy analyst Jason Bedrick. competition from the state’s various school choice options. In the case of Florida, private corporate donations — not public funds — make up It is a disappointment that teachers union the funding for the scholarships. Businesses heads continue to threaten the educational receive a dollar-for-dollar tax credit for opportunity of Florida’s most disadvantaged contributions to non-profits that administer students, despite evidence suggesting the scholarship. academic improvement for students in the program and in traditional public schools. A similar suit was filed by the teachers The court was right to grant parents of union in New Hampshire last year. But in scholarship students the right to intervene in August, the New Hampshire Supreme Court the suit—it is their children’s future that is at unanimously upheld the tax credit stake. scholarship, ruling that the plaintiffs did not have standing because the scholarships were Brittany Corona funded through private contributions and The Heritage Foundation could not prove any individual harm caused by the scholarships.

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Book Review: Ten Practices of Effective Boards: A Unique Tale about Board Governance.

This fable about a school established by a The outcome of reading this book will be the collection of canines typical of most opportunity for a single board member to suburban neighborhoods is designed to consider his participation in the life of his provide the members of a Christian school school and the opportunity for the entire board with a humorous look at some of the board to have common ground for the most critical challenges that face boards as meaningful discussion of vital tenets of they wrestle with the dynamics of their effective school governance. Each chapter responsibilities. The narrative format was will examine one of these primary concepts chosen to provide boards with a creative by presenting them in the life of a group of vehicle to stimulate discussion about neighborhood dogs who are motivated to effective leadership. establish a school in order that their puppies “learn to obey the Master.” Each chapter can These engaging and entertaining canine tales be discussed in isolation though it flows make the case for effective board with the overall narrative. governance. The ten specific and grace- filled practices are brilliant in their diagnosis Ken S. Coley, Ph.D. and treatment of the Board through proven https://kencoley.wordpress.com/2013/07/19/ principles of operational excellence. All dr-coleys-new-book-coming-this-fall/ board members should prayerfully and carefully read this book.

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Why I Send My Kids to Catholic School

I have a set of twins, Noah and Naomi, in In Sacred Heart (which became a Notre first grade at Sacred Heart Catholic School Dame ACE Academy a couple of years in Pinellas Park, Florida. I put them in ago), they care about the student every step Catholic school for kindergarten, and now of the way, and they find a way to work with my intention is to have them in Catholic the kids. I know Noah is reading at a school all the way to attending the different level now than Naomi, but the University of Notre Dame. teachers have put in extra time to give him one-on-one help. They didn’t wait for the I made the choice of Sacred Heart because school year to be over. of several different experiences, but not because I or the twins are Catholic. I don’t The school becoming an ACE Academy has have a home church, and I go between helped a lot, certainly with the money that’s Catholic and Baptist churches. I can’t say now available for extra programs, including what religion my twins will end up being, the free after-school care. As a single parent, but I can say they enjoy religion. Whether a working parent, the extended hours help it’s a Baptist or Catholic church, they want make it possible for me to work full-time. to go and be a part of it. And I’m thankful for Florida’s (tax-credit) scholarships, so I can send the kids to get a But I’ve sent Noah and Naomi to Sacred great education and pay the light bill and Heart primarily because of experiences in feed them and have a place for them to live. my family and experiences with public schools. I got interested in the school Sacred Heart has open houses and events to because I have nieces who have been there recruit new students, and the students and for some time. I watched my nieces growing teachers have very diverse backgrounds. up and reading to my kids at an early age, Kids don’t learn bad behaviors like racism. and it made me want to have my kids attend By having a common denominator, which is there as well. God, people can see past their differences and other barriers. The parents are invited to I have older children — a daughter who’s 22 get to know the teachers and staff, and and a son who’s 17 — and they were in the you’re acclimated into the family quite public school system. That school decided quickly. they would hold back my son in third grade because he had trouble with reading, but I One thing I love is that the teachers, even at didn’t find out my son was having trouble different grade levels, know my kids. They — and could have had tutoring — until he know the parents, too, and they’ll reach out didn’t pass. They should have addressed the and say hello and “have a great day.” That problem earlier and made it less doesn’t happen in public school. uncomfortable for him to be at a different level than his classmates, but they didn’t. Sacred Heart may not have all the resources They waited for him to fail before they said, some public schools have, but they utilize oh, he can’t read. I had a problem with that. the resources they have to the best of their ability. The teachers are always seeking new

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options to help the kids. And they care about God expects of them, they want to please their whole lives, about them going to God as well, and they want to please others, college and going to heaven. In public and they want their parents to be happy and school, the kids might talk about what they proud of them. want to be, but you don’t often hear them say they want to attend college. My kids, at Even if I can’t keep the twins in Catholic seven years old, are already saying they school throughout their education, I know want to attend college. they have the greatest start they could have in life. Having God in the school makes these kids grow into great people. It’s not about being Ramona Denmark indoctrinated into any one religion. Sacred January 28, 2015 Heart teaches the kids to respect others and Special to Crux their religions, too. That’s good because my family is unique and dynamic — very open- Ramona Denmark is the mother of two minded on religion. students in Sacred Heart School in Pinellas Park, Fla. Sacred Heart is one of two When my kids come home, they tell me schools in the Diocese of St. Petersburg that their experiences with church and school adopted the Notre Dame ACE Academies subjects, and they learn from both. I think it model for a comprehensive university-school helps with behavior. Once they know what partnership in 2012.

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Cardinal Newman and Pope Francis: Catholic Schools as Key to an Educated Laity

This lecture was delivered by the Reverend and I suspect Francis himself would be the Peter M. J. Stravinskas, Ph.D., S.T.D., for first to agree. On second consideration, the 2015 National Newman Conference at however, I paid greater heed to the last item Seton Hall University, 31 July 2015. in the conference theme — “the role of the faithful,” which I presume here to mean “the Precis: lay faithful.” Ah, now there is a point of convergence between the two men. When people hear the name of Cardinal Newman, one of the first associations they make is to his Idea of a University. Who could forget Newman’s retort to his However, it is rarely known that his first Bishop when asked about the place of the love was Catholic education at the laity in the Church: “The Church would 1 elementary and secondary levels, so that the look foolish without them.” An Oratory School he founded has been uncharacteristically laconic response for described as the "apple of his eye." Newman but a line one could easily imagine Interestingly, Pope Francis is the first tripping off the tongue of Francis. Which pontiff in modern history, at least, to have leads to the next question: If the Church taught high school (chemistry and Latin) would look foolish without the laity, what and who has reflected extensively on his kind of laity would redound to her own personal experiences of being raised by edification and effectiveness? Again, the Salesian Fathers in Argentina. Both Newman tells us in that well-known Newman and Francis would regard Catholic desideratum of his: elementary and secondary schools as essential to producing what Newman I want a laity, not arrogant, repeatedly referred to as "an educated laity" not rash in speech, not — equally essential for what St. John Paul II disputatious, but men who dubbed "the new evangelization." know their religion, who enter into it, who know just Introductory Remarks where they stand, who know what they hold, and what When I first received the call for papers for they do not, who know their this conference and saw that we were being creed so well, that they can asked to see Cardinal Newman and Pope give an account of it, who Francis as mirror images of each other, I know so much of history that thought the organizers had carried attempts they can defend it. I want an at the so-called “Francis effect” a bit too far.

After all, in terms of philosophical and 1 theological acumen, cultural sensibility, Wilfrid Ward, The Life of John Henry Cardinal homiletic skills, educational achievement, Newman (London: Longmans, Green, and Co., 1912), Francis can’t hold a candle to Newman — 497.

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intelligent, well-instructed his founding of the Oratory School in laity. . . . Birmingham. And what will such a “well-instructed laity” accomplish? In words presaging what Pope In this entire process of forming a laity to John Paul II would identify as “the new represent Christ, His Gospel and His Church evangelization,” we read: with consistency and fruitfulness through And one immediate effect of Catholic schooling, we find echoes in the your being able to do all this life and ministry of Mario Jorge Bergoglio, will be your gaining that as we shall presently see. First, however, let proper confidence in self us listen to a rarely-quoted text of the which is so necessary for Second Vatican Council’s Decree on you. You will then not even Christian Education, which admirably have the temptation to rely on summarizes what Newman thought and others, to court political what Francis thinks about Catholic parties or particular men; schooling: they will rather have to court The influence of the Church you. You will no longer be in the field of education is dispirited or irritated. . . , at shown in a special manner by finding difficulties in your the Catholic school. No less way, in being called names, than other schools does the in not being believed, in Catholic school pursue being treated with injustice. cultural goals and the human You will fall back upon formation of youth. But its yourselves; you will be calm, proper function is to create you will be patient. Ignorance for the school community a is the root of all littleness. . . , special atmosphere animated [it] becomes, from the very by the Gospel spirit of necessity of the case, freedom and charity, to help philosophical, long-suffering, youth grow according to the and magnanimous. 2 new creatures they were made through baptism as they develop their own But, how to get this “well-instructed laity” personalities, and finally to to bring about what today we call “the new order the whole of human evangelization,” that living and preaching of culture to the news of the Gospel in formerly Christian lands? We salvation so that the have the answer in Newman’s establishment knowledge the students of the Catholic University of Ireland, to be gradually acquire of the sure, but likewise (and even especially) in world, life and man is illumined by faith. . . . Since, 2On the Present Position of Catholics in England therefore, the Catholic school (New York: Longmans, Green, and Co., 1908), 390- can be such an aid to the 391. fulfillment of the mission of the People of God and to the

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fostering of the dialogue instructed laity.” 3 Michael Hickson then between the Church and describes life at the institution that was mankind, to the benefit of undoubtedly “the apple of [Newman’s] both, it retains even in our eye”: present circumstances the Newman took a leading role utmost importance. . . . The in each stage of the school’s Council also reminds development. Far from being Catholic parents of the duty the distant founder and aloof of entrusting their children to administrator, Newman was Catholic schools wherever active in the everyday life of and whenever it is possible the school. Once a month, all and of supporting these the boys were required to sit schools to the best of their through an examination given ability and of cooperating by Newman and the with them for the education Headmaster, Ambrose St. of their children. John. Both Newman and St. . . . This Sacred Council of John played instruments in the Church earnestly entreats the school’s orchestra, pastors and all the faithful to Newman taking the part of spare no sacrifice in helping second fiddle. Most lively of Catholic schools fulfill their all, however, was Newman’s function in a continually participation in the school more perfect way, and plays. especially in caring for the Let me provide some additional vignettes. needs of those who are poor in the goods of this world or who are deprived of the Lord Acton observed: “The School is assistance and affection of a beginning, with great hopes indeed, but in a family or who are strangers small way.” 4 An “Old Boy” of the School, to the gift of faith. Arthur Hungerford Pollen, recalled: (Gravissimum Educationis, At the Oratory we saw a good nn. 8-9, passim ) deal of the Cardinal. Nothing pleased him more than Newman on Catholic Schools making friends with the boys, and the many opportunities Cardinal Newman’s commitment to Catholic we had of personal contact higher education logically demanded a with him made the friendship commitment to Catholic education at the earlier levels. After all, a Catholic 3 university needs a natural “feeder.” And so, Michael Hickson, “A Cardinal Performance,” within fourteen years of Newman’s Newman Studies Journal, Spring 2005, 79-82. conversion, he established the Oratory 4 School, intended as a Catholic Eton, Wilfrid Meynell, Cardinal Newman (London: Burns precisely “to create an intelligent and well- and Oates, 1907), 86.

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a real one. Of course, to us he would be most ungrateful to was the greatest of heroes. complain, even if I were Slight and bent with age, with seriously incommoded, for head thrust forward, and a my present overwork arises quick firm gait, the great from the very success of a Oratorian might often be seen school which I began here going from corridor to shortly after I retired from the corridor, or across the school [Irish] University. When we grounds. His head was large, began it was a simple the pink biretta made it seem experiment, and lookers-on still more so, and he carried it seemed to be surprised when as if the neck were not strong they found we had in half a enough for the weight. . . . In year a dozen; but at the end the Latin plays which he had of our third year we now prepared for the boys to act have seventy. . . . As all he always took the keenest other schools are increasing interest, insisting on the in number, it is a pleasant careful rendering of favourite proof of the extension of passages, and himself giving Catholic education. 6 hints in cases of histrionic So strong was Blessed Newman’s advocacy difficulty. In the school on behalf of Catholic schools, that in 1879 chapel he from time to time the Archbishop of Sydney, Roger Bede appeared, giving a short Vaughan, solicited his assistance for the address, and assisting at the cause in Australia. To which the new afternoon service. It is Cardinal replied: curious that it should have been in connexion with these . . . I feel it a great honour on two widely different the part of Your Grace, that occupations that we should you have made use, in the have seen most of him. It is, Pastorals, which you have perhaps, characteristic of his had the goodness to send me, disposition, in which of what I had occasion to say playfulness and piety were so at Rome last May on the sweetly combined. 5 subject of the special religious evil of the day. It And Cardinal Newman himself, in an 1862 pleased me to find that you letter to the President of the seminary at could make it serviceable in Maynooth, gave this estimate of the project: the anxious conflict in which I am overworked with you are at this time engaged various kinds of mental in defence of Christian labour, and I cannot do as education. It is indeed the much as I once could. Yet it gravest of questions whether

5Meynell, 86f. 6Meynell, 89.

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our people are to commence St. Philip. 8 life with or without adequate The new Cardinal acknowledged that the instruction in those all- project was the cause of “much weariness important truths which ought and anxiety,” but went on to assert: to colour all thought and to direct all action; — whether Nothing indeed is more they are or are not to accept pleasant than the care of this visible world for their boys; at the same time God and their all, its teaching nothing involves greater as their only truth, and its responsibility. A school such prizes as their highest aims; as ours is a pastoral charge of — for, if they do not gain, the most intimate kind. . . . In when young, that sacred order to the due formation of knowledge which comes to their minds, boys need that us from Revelation, when moral and intellectual will they acquire it? 7 discipline which school alone can give. Their parents then make a great sacrifice, and How effective was Newman in achieving his also make an act of supreme goals for the Oratory School? Perhaps the confidence, in committing best way to gauge that is to eavesdrop on the their dear ones to strangers. encomia given him by the Oratory School community on the occasion of his creation as a cardinal. His responses are equally Then, with a most priestly heart, he places informative. the role of the priest in a Catholic school directly within one’s pastoral ministry and gives it preeminence: “No other department The representative of the Oratory School of the pastoral office requires such sustained Society observed: attention and such unwearied services. A Just twenty years ago you confessor for the most part knows his generously founded the penitents only in the confessional, and Oratory School, and you have perhaps does not know them by sight. A always cheerfully shared in parish priest knows indeed the members of the burden of toil and self- his flock individually, but he sees them only sacrifice which that act has from time to time.” entailed. We, on our part, gratefully acknowledge the At a very intimate level, Newman sums up benefits derived from the his reaction to the assessment of his privilege of your personal laudators: “You see now why it is that the influence and guidance after few words of your Address are so great a the wise and gentle way of comfort to me. Yes — they are a definite

7Reply of Cardinal Newman to Archbishop Vaughan, 16 November 1879. 820 July 1879.

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formal answer to the questionings, enabled you, by your searchings of heart, and anxieties of twenty writings, to defend and years.” illustrate the Church of God: all of us are now, by a singular privilege, the A day later, the Mothers of the Oratory children of your house, the School expressed their gratitude “for the daily witnesses of your more great services you have rendered to the private life, and the recipients Church, and, as parents, for the character of your constant teaching and and tone with which your personal influence guidance; and therefore we has invested the Oratory School. In claim a more intimate share conclusion, we pray that God may long in the joy which is so preserve you to us, for the good of His universal, when the Holy Church and in the interest of Catholic Father thus manifestly, and as education in England.” it were, in the sight of the whole world, sets the In response, the Cardinal offers a perhaps Church's seal on the work of heretofore-unknown historical tidbit: your life. “Concerning our school, it may be pleasant to you to know that the Holy Father at Rome Quite tellingly, Blessed Newman bypasses seemed to take great interest in it [the the school masters and focuses his attention school] without my urging it upon him.” on the boys themselves, wherein his love Newman notes that Blessed Pius IX’s and devotion for them shine forth with particular concern, indeed his specific particular brilliance, sensitivity and insight: mission, was that the Oratory would be a special outreach “to the educated classes, Of course, I am not a person who can and to what would be called the class of say how much you know of me, gentlemen.” We shall have reason to return because boys' eyes are very sharp, to his emphasis on that “target audience” in and they look about and see many due course. things which others think they are not aware of. Therefore, when you tell me that you are witnesses of my Finally, we hear from the Masters and Boys more private life, and recipients of of the Oratory School on the same day. my constant teaching and guidance, I Very touchingly, their representative know perfectly well that I have not declares: any direct duties towards you in the Many of us have been formed way of teaching. That shows that you by your teaching, and must use your eyes very well, and moulded, we hope, by your hence my great pleasure and example: all of us know or gratification at knowing that your have heard often from others, sight and knowledge of me is so of the wonderful way in much in my favour, and also my which God's grace has, for pleasure in regard to the more than thirty years, accomplishment of those objects which, of course, I have most at

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heart. feelings towards your teachers and me especially, will answer all the Demonstrating a profound know- expectations that we have ledge of adolescent psychology, he formed of you, and the observes: wishes we have for you. I Boys not only have eyes, but will say no more, but will they have very retentive thank you, and assure you memories; and that is another that, as this day will remain pleasure which I have in in your mind, so it will reading this Address, because remain in mine. this day and time will be printed on your memory a long time hence. You will I am sure that the long and impressive list of say: "I recollect that perfectly alumni — from one of the sons of J.R.R. well; it was the day I saw Tolkien (who became a priest) and one of Cardinal Newman there for Tolkien’s grandsons as well as Hilaire the first time," and you will Belloc — would be a source of great have something to tell to satisfaction to him. those after you. That, of course, is a great pleasure to Let us leave the Cardinal for some moments me — to think that this day and turn our attention to the present will be in your minds. And so occupant of the Chair of Peter. again, when I look to those who have gone forward in the career of life, and see how Mario Bergoglio-Pope Francis on Catholic many instances one has to Schools look back upon, the way they One personal asset that Pope Francis has have turned out, their that was lacking to Cardinal Newman excellence, and the way in resides in his being a “cradle Catholic,” which they fulfilled the duties which, among other things, gave him access of their station, and how, in to a total Catholic education from childhood. respect of some of them who We glean valuable insights into Papa have been taken off by death Bergoglio’s philosophy of education from by the will of God, what addresses he has given on the topic but also, good lives they led, and how and I say, uniquely, from his reminiscences much there is to be thankful on his own experience of Catholic schools for in their career, which is as a student and a teacher. In recounting the now finished, — when I think boyhood stories, he waxes rhapsodic. In a of that, and think of you who 1990 letter to a Salesian Father, 9 he reflects are to go into the same world, on his Salesian education thus: “It’s not and fight the same battles as they have, I have great confidence that you, 9Zenit, 4 February 2014. beginning with such tender

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strange that I speak with affection of the together, the social references Salesians, because my family was nourished to the neediest (I remember spiritually by the Salesians of San Carlos. . . having learned there to . But the most intense experience with the deprive myself of some Salesians was in the year 1949, when I things to give to persons who frequented as a boarder the sixth grade in the were poorer than me), sport, Wilfrid Baron School of the Holy Angels, at competence, piety … \pard Ramos Mejia.” sa99 everything was real, and everything formed habits that, all together, molded a He goes on to give a detailed recollection cultural way of being. One and analysis of that school: lived in this world but open School life was a “whole.” I to the transcendence of the was immersed in a way of other world . It was very easy life prepared so that there for me then in secondary wouldn’t be time to be lazy. school, to do the “transfer” The day passed as an arrow (in the psycho-pedagogic without time for one to be sense) to other realities. And bored. I felt myself this simply because I lived submerged in a world that, well the realities lived in the although prepared School; without distortions, “artificially” (with pedagogic with realism, with a sense of resources), had nothing responsibility and a horizon artificial about it. The most of transcendence. This natural thing was to go to Catholic culture is — in my Mass in the morning, as well opinion — the best that I as having breakfast, studying, received at Ramos Mejia. going to lessons, playing during recreation, hearing the “Good night” of the Father He then launches into specifics: Director. Each one was made Everything was done with a to live different assembled meaning. There was nothing aspects of life, and this “without meaning”. . . . I created a conscience in me: learned there, almost not only a moral conscience unwittingly, to seek the but a sort of human meaning of things. One of the conscience (social, ludic, key moments of this learning artistic, etc.) Said differently: to seek the meaning of things the School created, through was the “Good night” that the the awakening of the Father Director generally conscience in the truth of gave. . . . Another “Good things, a Catholic culture that night” that made an was not at all “bigoted” or impression was one of Father “disoriented.” Study, the Cantarutti on the need to pray social values of living to the most Holy Virgin to

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understand well one’s own Salesians have a special vocation. I remember that ability for this. I am not that night I prayed intensely referring to “sentimentalism” as I went to the dormitory. . . but to “sentiment” as a value and since that evening I have of the heart. Not to be afraid never fallen asleep without and to say to oneself what praying. It was a psycho- one is feeling. logical moment adapted to giving a meaning to the day, to things. He also identifies something that we have all seen throughout his pontificate:

Education to piety was What else did he learn? another key dimension. A I learned to study in the virile piety, appropriate to the School. The hours of study, age. In piety devotion to the in silence, created a habit of Most Holy Virgin merits a concentration, of a quite special mention. They strong control of dispersion. impressed this on me with Always with the help of fire … and, in as much as I professors, I learned a remember, also on my method of study, companions. And the mnemonic—technical rules, recourse to Our Lady is etc. Sport was an essential essential for life. It goes from aspect of life. One played the awareness of having a well and a lot. The values Mother in Heaven that takes that sport teaches (in addition care of me to the recitation of to health) we already knew. the three Hail Marys, or of In study as in sport the the Rosary. But the Virgin dimension of competition had remained, and could not go a certain importance: we out of our heart. . . . were taught to compete well Sometimes I have heard and to compete as Christians . criticisms of the “piety” that was inculcated in the School (I heard them years later), but And then a very significant element of they are always the usual human formation: rigmaroles of those who do A dimension that grew a lot not want to go to Mass in the subsequent years to the because they were obliged to one spent in the School was do so in School, etc. It is an my capacity to feel good : and anachronistic criticism I realized that the base was because it transfers to the set the year of boarding field of the pedagogy of piety school. . . . They educated a precise problem such as my sentiment there. The that of adolescent or youthful rebellion.

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preceding paragraphs. There Last but not least, he zeroes in on a topic were things in 1949 that are too-often ignored today but quite necessary not applicable in 1990 … but in a fully Catholic education: I am convinced that the Salesian cultural patrimony Closely united to love and to of 1949, this pedagogic devotion to the Most Holy patrimony, is capable of Virgin was love of purity. In creating in its pupils a this connection (and I believe Catholic culture also in 1990, altogether in Don Bosco’s as it was able to create it in preventive system) there is a 1930. very great misunderstanding. I was taught to love purity without any sort of obsessive Beyond the heart-warming memories, we teaching. There was not must never forget that Jorge Bergoglio is a sexual obsession in the Jesuit, which thereby ought to place him School, at least in the year I squarely in the forefront of Catholic was there. I found more education. How many men here heard a sexual obsession later in Jesuit proudly boast to his parents when he other educators or was still an adolescent: “Give me that boy psychologists that shows for six years, and I’ll give you a man!” Like ostentatiously a “laissez- every other Jesuit, the seminarian Bergoglio passer” in this regard (but engaged in a teaching internship. Following which deep down they ordination, he served as a high school interpreted behaviors in a teacher of chemistry and Latin; as novice Freudian key, which saw sex master and provincial, he kept Catholic everywhere). schools front-and-center in the life of the Jesuits committed to his care. As Pope, he has unfailingly encouraged episcopal He then summarizes it all thus: conferences to support Catholic schools. To All these things configured a the bishops of Benin, most recently he Catholic culture. They commented: prepared me well for Another important challenge secondary school and for life. that you are carefully . . . I do not wish to fall into addressing regards young the psychology of the former people and education. In your student, a nostalgic, Proust- dioceses you have opened like attitude, where the many Catholic schools. . . . memory selects the rosy part This effort must be followed of life and denies the more without pause, for the limited or lacking aspects. integral formation, both There were lacks in the human and spiritual, of the School, but the educational young generations is structure was not wanting. It important for the future of the is what I just wrote in the society to which they can

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then make their precious how much good has been contribution, especially in done by Catholic schools and terms of solidarity, justice universities around the and respect for others.” 10 world! This is a good thing. Yet, we find it difficult to To the Congregation for Catholic Education, make people see that when he said: “. . . education is a great open we raise other questions less building site in which the Church has always palatable to public opinion, been present through her institutions and we are doing so out of projects. Today we must encourage this fidelity to precisely the same commitment on all levels and renew the convictions about human commitment of all engaged in the new dignity and the common evangelization.” 11 Here I would underscore good. (n. 65) his connection between Catholic schooling and the new evangelization — a connection With no small degree of irony, he feels I made at the outset of this paper. compelled in that passage to note the Furthermore, in Evangelii Gaudium, he inconsistency of those who praise the made a point of highlighting the significance academic excellence of our schools, all the of Catholic schools not only for the internal while expressing dismay about the benefit of the Church but also for the underlying philosophy of the human person common good: of those institutions — obviously failing to Despite the tide of secularism see the intimate relation between the two. which has swept our societies, in many countries In the Pope’s discourse to the Italian — even those where Catholic Union of School Teachers, he Christians are a minority — began with the greeting, “Dear Colleagues.” the Catholic Church is Explaining that mode of address, he noted considered a credible with obvious pleasure: “Allow me to address institution by public opinion, you as such, given that I too have been a and trusted for her solidarity teacher like you and I have fond memories and concern for those in of my days spent in the classroom with greatest need. Again and students.” He used the rest of his again, the Church has acted presentation to provide an understanding of as a mediator in finding the vocation of a Catholic school teacher. solutions to problems His first sentence sets the stage well: affecting peace, social “Teaching is a beautiful profession ,” harmony, the land, the following up with a touch of realism, which defence of life, human and surely gained him a receptive audience for civil rights, and so forth. And the rest of his talk: “It’s a pity teachers are poorly paid… because it is not just about the time they spend in school, then the time they 10 27 April 2015. spend preparing, the time they spend on each individual student: how to help them 11 13 February 2014. move forward.” Clearly, he is speaking from personal experience.

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school can be this or become He then hones in on the very essence of this this only if it has teachers vocation: capable of giving meaning to Teaching is a serious school, to studies and to commitment that only a culture, without reducing mature and well-balanced everything to the mere person can undertake. Such a transmission of technical commitment can be knowledge. Instead they must intimidating, but remember aim to build an educational that no teacher is ever alone: relationship with each they always share their work student, who must feel with other colleagues and the accepted and loved for who entire educational community he or she is, with all of his or to which they belong. . . . her limitations and potential. School is certainly comprised In this direction, your task is of valid and qualified more necessary now than instruction, but also of human ever. You must not only relations, which for us are teach content, but the values welcoming and benevolent and customs of life. . . . A relations, to be offered computer can teach content, indiscriminately to all. but to understand how to Indeed, the duty of a good love, to understand values teacher — all the more for a and customs which create Christian teacher — is to love harmony in society, it takes a his or her more difficult, good teacher. weaker, more disadvantaged students with greater intensity. Finally, he encourages those teachers to follow the example and to seek the And, in a damning critique of much of what intercession of so many saintly educators in passes for education in the contemporary our history. scene, the Pope says: The Christian community has If a professional association many examples of great of Christian teachers wants to educators who are dedicated bear witness to their to addressing the inspiration today, then it is shortcomings of the called to persevere in the educational system or to peripheries of schools , which establishing schools in their cannot be abandoned to own right. Let us think of, marginalization, exclusion, among others, St John Bosco, ignorance, crime. In a society the bicentenary of whose that struggles to find points birth is this year. He advised of reference, young people his priests: teach with love. need a positive reference The first attitude of an point in their school. The educator is love. You too,

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Christian teachers, can look accompany them in the stages to these figures to animate of their growth and to set from within a school . . . ourselves beside them. [which] needs credible educators and witnesses of a He continues: mature and complete Give them hope and humanity. Testimony. This is optimism for their journey in not bought, it is not sold: it is the world. Teach them to see given. . . . the beauty and goodness of creation and of man who I encourage you to renew always retains the Creator’s your passion for humanity — hallmark. But above all with you cannot teach without your life be witnesses of what passion! — in the process of you communicate. Educators formation, and to b e — Jesuits, teachers, witnesses of life and hope . operators, parents — pass on Never, never close a door, knowledge and values with open all of them wide, in their words; but their words order for the students to have will have an incisive effect hope. on children and young people if they are accompanied by We should not pass over too quickly his their witness, their consistent belief that Catholic educational institutions way of life. Without ought to be “addressing the shortcomings of consistency it is impossible to the educational system”; in other words, our educate! You are all schools must be different! educators, there are no delegates in this field. The penultimate sample of the Pope’s Catholic educational philosophy I would He then notes how the educational share with you comes from an encounter of apostolate needs to be a truly collaborative his with students of Jesuit schools very early effort, uniting the professional educators in his pontificate. 12 First, he offers the with the family — for the welfare of the teachers some encouragement: students and of society as a whole: Do not be disheartened in the Thus collaboration in a spirit face of the difficulties that of unity and community the educational challenge among the various educators presents! Educating is not a is essential and must be profession but an attitude, a fostered and encouraged. way of being; in order to School can and must be a educate it is necessary to step catalyst, it must be a place of out of ourselves and be encounter and convergence among young people, to of the entire educating community, with the sole 12 7 June 2013. objective of training and

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helping to develop mature gift and a grace. We must ask people who are simple, for it! competent and honest, who know how to love with Finally, it gives me great personal pleasure fidelity, who can live life as a to put in high relief an oft-repeated plaint of response to God’s call, and this Pope, namely, the abandonment of the their future profession as a school apostolate by so many clergy and service to society. religious — a highly neuralgic issue in our country, where it can be asserted with total In his address to the Congregation of confidence that the departure of thousands Catholic Education, which I cited earlier, he of priests and religious from our schools has speaks about the need for what he terms been disastrous from every point of view. “quality preparation of formators”: “We cannot improvise. We must take this In that 1990 letter to his Salesian friend, the seriously,” he states with no small degree of future Pope ended by sharing an anecdote urgency. He also issues a clarion call for the that “saddened” him greatly. personal witness of the Catholic educator: A Salesian Father that I “Consistency is an indispensable factor in esteem a lot, told me in a the education of young people! Consistency! conversation that they were We cannot grow and we cannot educate thinking of leaving some without consistency: consistency and Schools in the hands of the witness!” laity. I asked him if it was because of a lack of And how is this to occur? vocations. In part, he told me, this was the reason, but For this, an educator is because young Salesians do himself in need of permanent not want to work in the formation. It is necessary to Schools, they do not feel invest so that teachers and attracted to this apostolate. supervisors may maintain a high level of professionalism and also maintain their faith Father Bergoglio proceeded to tell that and the strength of their Salesian that the Argentine province of spiritual impetus. And in this Jesuits had come to the exact opposite permanent formation too I conclusion and had, in fact, opened new would suggest a need for schools, even relying on the parochial retreats and spiritual model. The Salesian then suggested another exercises for educators. It is a reason for his Congregation’s distancing beautiful thing to offer itself from schools. The future Pope courses on the subject, but it commented: is also necessary to offer That Father also told me that spiritual exercises and another area was that of retreats focused on prayer! making a gesture of For consistency requires insertion” (sic!) in the effort but most of all it is a neighborhoods, and this is

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why they left the Schools or Strong language, to be sure, and most some of them. He said that it noteworthy that this “Pope of the was a pastoral option. In face Peripheries” does not buy the argument that of this I could not help but the school apostolate is a distraction from think of the Salesians that I the periphery; on the contrary, I think he knew in the School, I do not would hold that it is the primary periphery. know if they “made gestures And lest he be accused of failing to of insertion,” but they did give this hard message to his own, he ended spend themselves the whole that meeting with Jesuit students with a day and did not even have salutary reminder to his fellow Jesuits: time to have a little rest, this I “Now I would like to tell the Jesuits that it is do know. If those men that I important to nourish your commitment in knew in the School — and I the educational sector. Schools are a conclude with this reflection precious means for making a contribution to — could create a “Catholic the progress of the Church and of society as culture,” it was because they a whole.” had faith . They believed in Jesus Christ and — a bit by A Concluding Assessment faith and a bit by nerve — they had the courage to As we come to the end of our survey of the “preach”: with the word, with educational philosophies of Cardinal their life, with their work. Newman and Pope Francis, I would like to They were not ashamed to be make them interlocutors. humiliated with the language of the cross of Jesus which is 1. I mentioned the Jesuit maxim shame and folly for others. I about turning boys into men through their ask myself: when a work teaching apostolate. Interestingly, a new languishes and loses its flavor book on Newman’s university has just and its capacity to leaven the emerged, with the intriguing title, The dough, is it not rather because Making of Men .13 That phrase, we learn, Jesus Christ has been “was used by Newman the night before the substituted by other options: Catholic university started, when addressing psychological, sociological, its first seventeen students. He told them pastoral? I do not want to be that they had not come to the university to simplistic, but I do not cease become engineers, doctors, businessmen, to be concerned about the soldiers or bankers — they could do that fact that — to make radical elsewhere — but to be ‘made men.’” 14 gestures of social insertion — adherence to the living Jesus Christ is abandoned [in favor 13 Written by Paul Shrimpton and published by of] the consequent insertion Gracewing in England. in whatever environmental context including the 14 Jack Carrigan, “How Newman Passed His University educational, to build a Challenge,” Catholic Herald , 29 May 2015, 30. Catholic culture.

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2. Both Newman and Francis see the Catholic school as having an essential place 5. Both rejoice in the results in the life of the Church and of the general achieved from a Catholic education — society. Further, while Pio Nono urged Newman from the teacher/administrator’s Newman to educate the elite, we have seen side of the desk and Bergoglio as both that Father Bergoglio/Pope Francis would alumnus and educator. hold that every Catholic school is a periphery designed to serve as leaven in the If Blessed John Henry were asked the mainstream. ultimate purpose of a Catholic school, I suspect he might say that it is to realize that 3. Both regard the teacher as key to — in Newman’s famous and poignant the whole enterprise, with particular words, “God has created me for some emphasis on personal influence. definite purpose.” And I equally suspect that Pope Francis, in response, would utter a 4. Both share a deep appreciation for resounding “Amen.” the role of the priest in the school.

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Catholic Schools Need ‘Strong Priestly Presence’

HUNTINGTON, N.Y. (CNS) — A Catholic parents and grandparents, and welcoming school needs “a strong priestly presence” or new families. “We never enrolled children it “is going to move in a problematic in our school, we enrolled families, to make direction,” said Father Peter M.J. the point that parents are the first educators Stravinskas, executive director of the of their children,” he said. Catholic Education Foundation. The bishop sets the tone for Catholic “The school effort rises and falls with the education in a diocese and can influence priest. If he’s engaged, it thrives,” he vocations by his placement of priests, Father explained. “If he’s indifferent, the best Stravinskas said. Most seminarians are efforts get undermined.” graduates of Catholic high schools, he said. Priestly vocations are robust in dioceses Catholic schools are critical to the mission such as Lincoln, Nebraska, and Wichita, of the church because they teach the faith, Kansas, where newly ordained priests serve and identify and develop priestly vocations, their first assignment as high school Father Stravinskas said. teachers.

The priest led a two-day seminar at the “It was short-sighted on the part of many Immaculate Conception Seminary in bishops to remove priests from schools. The Huntington Aug. 18 and 19 for priests from vocation crisis was exacerbated by their 13 dioceses. The program combined history removal,” Father Stravinskas said. and church teaching about Catholic Nonetheless, “if this generation of priests is education with practical advice on how actively inserted into the school apostolate, priests can be valuable witnesses to the faith we’ll have plenty of vocations and they’ll by their presence in the schools. multiply themselves,” he said.

Priests should build time into their schedules Similarly, seminary rectors should to be with students on the playground, in the encourage priests to participate in schools cafeteria, at sporting events and in the and bishops should choose pastors carefully. classroom. “You don’t have to be a “How can a bishop assign a priest to a parish theologian to teach high school religion. If with a school if a fellow has no orientation you can teach hormone-raging juniors and to it at all?” he asked. seniors, you can do anything,” Father Stravinskas said. “But you have to be Parishioners must see the school as an authentic, or they can smell it a mile away.” integral part of the parish, not a separate entity, Father Stravinskas said. “We ought He added, “My greatest joy is being able to not to be talking about Catholic schools only drop into a first- or second-grade class.” during Catholic Schools Week,” he said.

The priest is an important resource for the It was a “fundamental mistake in the 1970s” faculty and administration for pastoral input, to separate the finances of parishes and theological advice, counseling, outreach to schools, Father Stravinskas said. “While it

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may have been more efficient, at the will inspire others by your integrity,” she psychological level it caused problems by said. “Be faithful to the magisterium. Be creating the impression that the school was a yourself. Be ecumenical, but always faithful. separate entity unto itself.” You will nourish hearts, lighten heavy loads and foster healthy, Christian families.” Seminar participant Father Christopher Phillips, pastor of Our Lady of the The Catholic Education Foundation, based Atonement in San Antonio, said he situated in Rochester, was established in 2001 to his office adjacent to the school lobby and provide financial assistance for needy keeps the door open to encourage student students in Catholic high schools. “Over drop-ins. He also said the church and the time, it has morphed into an organization school are connected by internal hallways. that helps Catholic schools deepen their Catholic identity through workshops, a “Give everyone an opportunity to use the periodical and a Catholic identity school,” for meetings and functions, and assessment instrument,” Father Stravinskas keep the parish informed of school activities said. through the bulletin, Father Stravinskas recommended. “We’ve been getting requests from bishops to do something to help priests understand He cited the commitment of Pope Francis to the incredible importance of Catholic Catholic education. “When the pope talks schools in the overall mission of the church, about his experience, he gets almost and how critical is the role of the priest in rhapsodic,” Father Stravinskas said. The maintaining that centrality of the schools,” pope’s habits of a lifetime were instilled as a he said. sixth-grader with the Salesians, he said. “Catholic education K-12 should be tuition- “Pope Francis obviously doesn’t buy the free,” he said. “Every Catholic is responsible argument that Catholic schools are a for the maintenance of Catholic schools. We distraction from the periphery,” Father need to recapture that concept we lost in the Stravinskas said. Educators must be mature, 196s and 1970s. We have the most affluent well-balanced, passionate, prayerful Catholic population in the history of the purveyors of values and customs, as well as church. Yet somehow immigrants who built content, and consider their craft a vocation, schools with their pennies have rather than a profession. According to Pope grandchildren making six figures who can’t Francis, consistency and witness are maintain them. It’s not a lack of money, it’s indispensable factors in the education of a lack of faith,” he concluded. young people, he said. Father Joseph W. McQuaide IV of the Vera Hough, a married mother of four Diocese of Wilmington, Delaware, recently children from Little Silver, New Jersey, completed his first priestly assignment. He urged seminar participants to be ‘unexpected said the seminar confirmed and clarified his priests’ in the daily lives of schoolchildren. experience that the priest is the “man on the Such a priest inspires by being present and ground, able to interact with students and, sincere. “You may never know the fruits of through them, their families to engage in your labors as an unexpected priest. You ongoing evangelization.”

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“The Catholic faithful are extremely Beth Griffin sympathetic to their priests and a little goes Catholic News Service a long way. If you do something for their August 28, 2015 children, you do something great for them. We need to find time, be there and show support,” he said.

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