From the Office of Education

Vol. X No. 13 January, 2014

CATHOLIC : The Good Word from The Office of COMMUNITIES OF FAITH, KNOWLEDGE AND SERVICE is published three times annual- CATHOLIC SCHOOLS WEEK 2014

ly and shared with the following For the past 40 years, typically on the last Sunday of January, Catholic parishes and groups: Pastors/PLCs, schools across the United States kick off a week of celebrating Catholic schools. The Administrators of Religious theme for this year’s National Catholic Schools Week is “Catholic Schools: Communities Education, Catholic Ad- ministrators, Parish Youth Min- of Faith, Knowledge and Service.” The theme encompasses isters, Education Commission/ several concepts that are at the very core of Catholic education. Board Presidents and Friends of Not only are schools communities themselves, they are part of Catholic Education. Your con- the larger communities of home, church, city and nation. Faith, tribution of ideas for stories and knowledge and service are integral components of a Catholic your comments are welcome! education and the measures by which any Catholic school can be judged. Celebrations and activities are planned across the diocese In Today’s Good Word…. to honor those who contribute to the success of the schools – students, families, faculty and staff, volunteers, supporters and  The Impact of Catholic local leaders. A highlight of the week will take place on Wednesday January 29 School Scholarships and Vouchers … page 2 when representatives from each school will celebrate Mass with Tobin at SS. Peter and Paul Cathedral.  NCYC 2013 A Huge Success  National Catholic Schools Week is an event/activity of the National Marketing Campaign for Catholic Schools, a joint … page 2 project of the National Catholic Educational Association and the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.

 NCEA Award Nominees and Recipients … page 4 ACRE: Assessing How We Teach the Faith

 Reflections from Harry Each January, 5th- through 8th- and 11th-graders in our Plummer, Executive Director schools and parish catechetical programs complete a … back cover standardized assessment in religion. This resource of the National Catholic Educational Association (NCEA) is If you would like to receive referred to as ACRE — an acronym for “Assessment of The Good Word by e-mail, Children/Youth .” please send the phrase “Good Word by e-mail” to Cindy Since the late 1970’s NCEA has offered assessment instruments designed to strengthen Clark at [email protected]. religious education programs. IFG: ACRE edition is an integrated assessment tool that helps school, parish and diocesan leaders evaluate the faith knowledge and attitudes of students in Catholic schools and parish-based religious education programs. ACRE helps educators know where the strengths and growth areas are in their catechetical programs. All levels are aligned to the six tasks of catechesis outlined in the National Directory for Catechesis:

 knowledge of the Faith  moral formation  communal life  liturgical life  prayer  missionary spirit Office of Catholic Education 1400 North Meridian Street NCEA offers a similar assessment for adults called Information for Growth (IFG). Indianapolis, IN 46202-2367 It is important to assess any educational effort at any level — especially the core of 317-236-1430 the Office of Catholic Education programs: to proclaim and pass on our Catholic faith 1-800-382-9836 ext. 1430 so as to deepen personal relationships with Jesus and strengthen participation in His Fax 317-261-3364 email: [email protected] holy, . In the Archdiocese of Indianapolis, ACRE is an important way of measuring the success we have — all for God’s greater honor and glory!

National Catholic Youth Conference Welcome Erin Jeffries! Erin Jeffries has joined the Office of Catholic Education Signed, Sealed and Delivered as Coordinator of Special Religious Education. Erin has a

Bachelor of Arts in Religious Education and Master of Indianapolis was home to nearly 23,000 Catholic youth and their Arts in Theology as well as extensive coursework in Early chaperones from November 21 – 23, 2013. Laughter, prayer, shared Childhood Education. She has a faith experiences and new friends were all part of the experience. unique combination of catechetical Here are a few key moments from the event … training and experience with direct

The AYC’s Witness of Leadership at NCYC service to persons with disabilities. Erin’s joy and enthusiasm are clear- The Archdiocesan Youth Council (AYC), comprised of high school ly evident in her service to friends students from throughout the Archdiocese of Indianapolis, played a with special needs. Erin can be pivotal role by … reached at (317) 236-1448 or  Assisting Jesse Manibusan (NCYC [email protected]. Emcee) at a concert held to the start of NCYC for participants from the Archdiocese of Indianapolis and CATECHETICAL CERTIFICATION FOR ALL! the Diocese of Lafayette-in-.  Participating as ushers, lectors, More folks than ever—at least in recent years—are involved and gift bearers at the Archdiocesan with being better teachers, catechists and administrators liturgy at St. John’s on Thursday through formation in our Catholic faith. Thanks to our guid- afternoon which was followed by the ed reading and reflection process using the United States Eucharistic procession to Indiana Convention Center. Catholic Catechism for Adults (USCCA), hundreds of volun-  Leading a sung version of the Divine Mercy Chaplet in the conference teers and staff are refreshing their knowledge of the Faith and prayer chapel. reflecting on how we share faith in our schools and programs. This process leads to Basic Certification for new folks or first #NCYC Trends #1—Check Out the Numbers! renewal of Certification for experienced teachers, catechists

Social media and teens – it is rare to find one and administrators.

without the other and NCYC was no excep- The most recent Annual Report of Parish tion. It was reported that both Twitter and Catechetical Programs shows nearly 600 Instagram saw a more than 1,000% increase parish religious education catechists en- in followers from before the conference to gaged in the guided reading and reflection just prior to the closing liturgy. process. Similarly, several principals have  FACEBOOK: 13,300 likes to 15,940 likes already completed Basic Catechetical Cer-  TWITTER: 670 followers to 8,214 followers tification with their entire staffs.  INSTAGRAM: 122 followers to 1,227 followers  LIVE STREAMING: 12,000 visits from 30 countries Unlike certification programs that require many hours sitting in a classroom, our NCYC $cholarship$ United States Catholic Catechism for Adults process allows educators to immerse themselves in at times $113,000.00 was collected at the closing that best fit their schedules. liturgy as part of the “Put $5 aside” campaign. These funds along with other corporate Likewise the amount of written work required for Basic Cate- sponsorships will go towards future NCYC chetical Certification and Renewal of Certification is stream- scholarships. In 2013 a total of $110,000 was lined and focused on how the doctrine reflected upon con- awarded with one of our parishes, St. Maurice nects to the work of teaching the Faith at the applicable de- in Napoleon, IN (Batesville Deanery), receiving a $1,075 scholarship velopmental level. A 5th-grade teacher or catechist, for ex- to assist with their registration. ample, reflects on a teaching of the Faith (often one that is being taught to students that very week) then shares in writ- In Celebration of the Closing of the Year of Faith ing—as part of our certification process—how he or she can Archbishop Joseph W. Tobin, C.Ss.R. and Bishop Christopher J. communicate that doctrine clearly and compellingly to 5th- Coyne invited all high school youth and junior high (7th and 8th graders, always utilizing where a 5th-grader tends to be de- graders) of the diocese to the closing Liturgy of velopmentally. Thus our certification and renewal process is NCYC 2013 in celebration of the closing of the Year explicitly relevant to the daily work of sharing our Catholic of Faith. This pilgrimage opportunity allowed those faith. who were unable to attend the entire conference the opportunity to experience the larger, young church! Leading by example makes ongoing formation in faith a pri- Approximately 1,500 youth and chaperones (40 ority for all effective teachers, catechists and administrators. groups) from throughout the Archdiocese took advantage of this Our unique, convenient process for certification and renewal opportunity, joining the 12 bishops, 237 priests, 31 , 90 is making such formation a reality for a growing number of seminarians, and 23,000 participants already in attendance Catholic educators throughout the Archdiocese.

Page 2 www.archindy.org/oce Student-Created Notecards SAVE THE DATE! Sold Nationally MONDAY, MAY 12, 2014 Fifth Annual Golf Fore Faith Outing Congratulations to St. Christopher Catholic at Crooked Stick Golf Club School, its teachers and its students, for publishing their creative ideas on note cards The Office of Catholic Education is thrilled to be sold by the National Catholic Educational hosting the Golf Fore Faith outing for the fifth con- Association (NCEA). Along with students secutive year at Crooked Stick Golf Club in Carmel, from two other schools across the nation, Indiana on Monday May 12, 2014. students tell what they learned in each grade. Some favorite responses include, Imagine playing the course that hosted the top 70 “Following the Ten Commandments is players in the world at the 2012 BMW FedEx Cham- harder than you think” and “Don’t wobble pionship! Participants will compete for the chance to a class pet’s cage.” win great cash prizes. For ex- Photo from ncea.org ample, this year’s Hole-In-One contest will include all four     par-three holes offering $10K Archdiocesan Seniors Attend Liturgy With Archbishop Tobin cash as the prize! Over the past several years, we have had Just one year after Archbishop Joseph Tobin’s installation Mass as the Shepherd players come within inches of of the Archdiocese of Indianapolis, he celebrated a beau- winning this contest! tiful liturgy with the archdiocesan high school Class of 2014. Ss. Peter and Paul Cathedral was filled with enthu- Whether you want to play golf or advertise your busi- siastic, faith-filled young men and women, administrators ness through sponsorship, we have developed several and teachers from 10 of our 11 high schools on December levels of participation, and you can be confident this 2, 2013 as Archbishop Tobin celebrated Senior Mass. outing will be “second to none!” We know there are Archbishop Tobin explained to the congregation that this many organizations that desire your support, so be was the first “second” he had celebrated in the Archdio- assured we appreciate any consideration you give to cese, given that the Senior Mass on December 10, 2012 the Golf Fore Faith outing! was the first Mass he celebrated with his flock outside of his own installation on December 3, 2012. The psalm Information is available online at: response for the day was, “Let us go rejoicing to the www.archindy.org/golfforefaith house of the Lord,” and the congregation certainly left this uplifting celebration Or contact event chair Margaret Hendricks of the Eucharist rejoicing in our Catholic faith and in our Lord and Savior! 317-441-8956 or [email protected].

Indiana State Tax Credit (SGO) Scholarships Are a Great Choice for Giving!

EXAMPLE: What is the tax impact of an individual or corporate contribution to the Educational CHOICE Charitable Trust of $1,000 for Catholic school scholarships?

DONATION STATE TAX FEDERAL FEDERAL SAVINGS AFTER-TAX CREDIT DEDUCTION SAVINGS TOTAL COST OF GIFT

$1,000 $500 $500 $150 $650 $350

EXAMPLE: What is the potential impact of my $1,000 (net $350) donation on students? * CHOICE SGO (tax credit) Scholarship of $500 can make a student eligible for a State Choice Scholarship (voucher) after one year.

EXAMPLE: Two (2) students in a Catholic School can receive $500 minimum SGO Scholarships each for one year from your donation. After one year on the scholarship they may be eligible for a Voucher for $4,700 a year in elementary school and even more in high school. If they receive 12 more years of Catholic education on vouchers, they will have received a minimum of ap- proximately $60,000 each over the life of their K-12 education.

Your gift of $1,000 (net $350) will have generated $120,000 in state voucher (tuition) money for two students.**

Please make your gift through Educational CHOICE Charitable Trust today at www.choicetrust.org or call them at: (317) 951-8781

*NOTE: These savings assume a 30% tax bracket and claiming the balance due after tax credit. Actual savings will depend on your actual tax bracket. The Archdiocese of Indianapolis does not offer this as tax advice. See your tax professional.

**Voucher reimbursement varies with tuition rates and public school district of residence.

Page 3 www.archindy.org/oce 2013-14 SUPERINTENDENT SCHOOL TOUR

This past year there have been several changes at the Office of Catholic Education (OCE). Gina Fleming accepted the role of Superintendent of Catholic Schools and Mary McCoy took on the role of Assistant Superintendent responsible for instructional support. Joe Peters, Chief Operating Officer for the OCE, shifted to part-time after many years of full-time dedicated service. Joe remains active in policy and accredita- tion, and Rob Rash, Assistant Superintendent in charge of personnel, has accepted some of Joe’s previ- ous responsibilities. So, with all of these changes, why has there been such a focus on spending time in each of the Archdiocese’s 68 elementary and secondary schools? Well, we believe there is no better place to be! Below are a few questions recently asked of Gina Fleming while discussing the tour.

What made you decide to do the tour? With these changing roles at the OCE, the tour has served as a wonderful opportunity to get to know the schools and to build greater relationships with our dynamic school leaders and their phenomenal staff members. In our roles, we can easily get bogged down with the “adminis-trivia” of the job, and we do not want to ever lose sight of whom we serve or why we serve. Witnessing Christ’s presence in each school – seeing administrators, teachers, students and par- Students at St. Louis, Batesville, are ents “in their element” – has been a great result of the tour. We want administrators, school personnel engaged in research during Music and students to know that we support their efforts and are some of their biggest cheerleaders!

class. Across the deaneries students What did you learn about Catholic schools in the archdiocese from the tour? The visits affirmed are utilizing technology, games, what we already knew, which is that the administrators and staff are incredibly dedicated to the mission manipulatives, of the Church and the vision of our Catholic schools. The tour further solidified our understanding of the schools’ strengths and ways that the Office of Catholic Education can provide support. Finally, the unique characteristics of each and eve- ry school community were even more evident. We are blessed to have great support and leadership from pastors and our commissions, boards and communities.

How will you use the information you learned to lead Catholic schools in the archdiocese? The tours gave us a clear understanding of the areas where the OCE can provide greater support: professional development, spiritual development, retention/recruitment of quality adminis- trators, and assistance with programming that relates to , Title services, vouchers and Scholarship Granting Organizations.

To learn more about the tour, please refer to the January 10, 2014 edition of The Criterion, which can be found at www.archindy.org/criterion.

NCEA AWARD NOMINEES AND RECIPIENTS This year, the Archdiocese of Indianapolis nominated a teacher, a principal and a pastor for the National Catholic Educational Association’s (NCEA) prestigious honors offered to each group. Congratulations to Sheila, Fr. Paul, and Lisa on this well-deserved recogni- tion and honor. We are so blessed to benefit from the incredible work you do! SHEILA NOON MONSIGNOR PAUL KOETTER LISA VOGEL DISTINGUISHED PRINCIPAL NOMINEE DISTINGUISHED PASTOR DISTINGUISHED TEACHER St. Anthony of Padua, Clarksville AWARD RECIPIENT AWARD RECIPIENT Pastor, Holy Spirit, Indianapolis Teacher, St. Mary, North Vernon Sheila and her husband have been active pa- rishioners at St. Anthony of Padua for many A parent expresses her excitement in Mon- When asked “What do you find most reward- years. An alumna of signor Koetter’s nomination. “I am honored ing as a Catholic school teacher?” Mrs. Vo- St. Anthony, Sheila is to share our Fr. Paul with all of you! Fr. Paul gel’s response was, now in her 43rd year of Koetter arrived at Holy Spirit Parish and “I love each and every active service to the School, Indianapolis, a short four years ago. one of my students, and total community. After He has united our community: English/ once they have spent serving 36 years as a Hispanic, rich/poor, young and old. Fr. Paul time in my class they are beloved is a visionary leader who embraces the needs mine for life. I pray for science teacher, Sheila of his Parish.” them regularly and am

accepted the role of Rita Parsons, Holy Spirit always thrilled to hear Principal and has been principal, states in her let- about the good things faithfully leading the way for 7 years. happening in their lives.” ter, “Father initiated a Pas-

When asked how she cultivated and advances toral Staff Meeting once a St. Mary Pastor, Reverend Jonathan Meyer, a positive climate at St. Anthony, Mrs. Noon week to unite our staff. writes, “Lisa is a woman rooted in family. replied, “I have a passion and enthusiasm for This meeting brings us Her mother is a Catholic School teacher and each day. I always give thanks and together for prayer and her father has been the head catechist for our acknowledge a job well done…I look to God communication. Our Parish Confirmation program for almost 30 years. In as my role model and He has a tremendous Staff Meetings have connected our ministries this environment Lisa was taught through influence on me. God helps me to create a together as one. It makes a huge difference example that forming young people in the warm, positive climate where all feel that they when we all work together for the common ways of the faith is not just a job, but a voca- belong.” cause of living out our Faith.” tion. She gives back what she received.”

Page 4 www.archindy.org/oce

ISTEP+ RESULTS SPRING 2013

Ninety-one percent of Archdiocese of Indianapolis and archdiocesan voucher school students passed the English/language arts portion of the ISTEP+ in Spring 2013 versus 79 percent of public school students. Nine- ty-one percent of archdiocesan and 90 percent of voucher school students passed the math portion versus 82 percent of public school students.

The Spring 2013 ISTEP+ test is based on Indiana's Academic Standards and includes the following grade levels and content areas: English/ language arts in grades 3-8; Mathematics in grades 3-8; Science in grades 4 and 6; and Social Studies in grades 5 and 7. A goal of the Indiana De- partment of Education has been to have at least 90% of the students in eve- ry Indiana school pass both the English/language arts and mathematics sections of the ISTEP.

The charts below contain a partial summary of the 2013 ISTEP+ results for grades 3-8. It compares results for the Spring 2013 test among the public schools, Archdiocese of Indianapolis schools and archdiocesan voucher schools. In 2013 the public schools had 16 percent of their schools passing at or above 90 percent in both English/language arts and mathematics. The Archdiocesan schools and voucher schools had 45 percent passing at or above 90 percent in both English/language arts and mathematics.

This exam was administered in the spring during two assessment windows. The Applied Skills Assessment, consisting of essay and open- ended questions, was administered in March, 2013. The Multiple-Choice Assessment was administered between April and May, 2013. Schools received student scores during the summer of 2013.

The data used in this report can be found on the Indiana Department of Education website at hhttp://www.doe.in.gov/improvement/ accountability/find-school-and-corporation-data-reportsttp://www.doe.in.gov/achievement/assessment/istep-results.

THE IMPACT OF CATHOLIC SCHOOL SCHOLARSHIPS AND VOUCHERS

Indiana is the model for the national school choice movement. Beginning in 2011, the state began offering vouchers for income-eligible public school families to enroll their children in private and parochial schools. The state also cre- ated SGO Tax Credit Scholarships to help students enroll in kindergarten or first grade in Catholic and other private schools. After one year on a scholarship the student could become eligible for a state voucher. The local Educational CHOICE Charitable Trust is an “SGO” – a registered “Scholarships Granting Organization.” Scholarship donors re- ceive a 50 percent credit against their state tax liability plus a federal tax deduction. The Legislature expanded the program in 2012 and the most significant change came for 2013-14 – allowing SGO Scholarships to apply to students already enrolled in Catholic schools.

Some 913 students received SGO scholarships of at least $500 each for a total of nearly $721,000 for 2012. SGO figures are not yet avail- able for this tax year, but the total scholarships should be more than double. If these students remain financially eligible after one year on the scholarships, they will be eligible for a state school voucher for 2014-2015. Most will remain eligible and most are already in our Catholic school seats.

Some 1058 students attended Catholic schools on vouchers in 2011 with $4.4 million in tuition assistance; 2294 attended in 2012 for $9.7 million, and for 2013, 4749 students received $20.1 million for a total of $34.3 million over the past three years. SGO Scholarships given this year will result in the largest number of voucher participants so far for 2014-15!

The Office of Catholic Education and Office of Stewardship and Development have sponsored the annual Celebrating Catholic School Values dinner for the past 18 years. A record $1.1 million was celebrated at the 2012 event, and at the 2013 event held on October 8, a new record of $3 million was celebrated by individual schools, parishes and the archdiocese. John Gause served as event chair both years, and Mike McGinley served as development chair for 2013 and will be the event chair for 2014. The $3 million grew to $3.2 million by the end of 2013. We recognize these men for their leadership and vision in help- ing schools take full advantage of the changes in the law and telling compelling stories to donors who could step up and make a differ- ence. We are extremely grateful to our many donors who made this possible!

To learn more about CCSV visit https://www.archindy.org/ccsv/

Page 5 www.archindy.org/oce from the Executive Director Reflections Dear Friends,

The Holy Father recently entrusted a very important theme to the Third Assembly of the Extraordinary Synod of Bishops this coming October: “Pastoral Challenges to the Family in the Context of Evangelization.” The significance of this Synod cannot be overestimated. Our task in OCE will be to ensure that our educational efforts promote this pasto- ral priority. We should therefore, with the help of God’s grace, redouble our efforts to prayerfully and strate- gically ask ourselves how our programs engage families in catechetical and evangelistic outreaches, espe- cially those that assist parents in the fulfillment of their obligations as the primary religious educators.

The Church provides us with some very practical wisdom to employ in our efforts to do so. The Catechism of the Catholic Church, for example, provides us with a rather comprehensive catechetical blueprint in this regard when it reminds us that in the family “the father of the family, the mother, children, and all members of the family exercise the priesthood of the baptized in a privileged way by the reception of the sacraments, prayer and thanksgiving, the witness of a holy life, and self-denial and active charity. Thus the home is the first school of Christian life and a school for human enrichment. Here one learns endurance and the joy of work, fraternal love, generous - even repeated - forgiveness, and above all divine worship in prayer and the offering of one's life” (1657). Harry A. Plummer Executive Director Proclaiming our Catholic faith’s life-giving message of the sacredness of the family is not an easy task, but Catholic Education and Faith Formation it is one that the Church is clearly expecting us to embrace in new and captivating ways.

There was once a and sister who wanted to visit the place where heaven and earth meet. They could see it in the distance and they knew it was called " the horizon" by grown-ups. So one day they set off to reach it, but after many hours they became discouraged because they didn't seem to be getting any closer. Then the little girl spotted a small farmhouse on the edge of the forest. As they ap- proached, the owner came out and they explained their quest to her. She pointed to a house in the distance and said, " You must hurry to get there before night falls." Running as fast as they could, they soon reached the road that led them safely to their own home.

Pax et Bonum,

Office of Catholic Education Archdiocese of Indianapolis 1400 North Meridian Street Indianapolis, IN 46202-2367