From the Office of Catholic Education
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From the Office of Catholic Education Vol. X No. 13 January, 2014 CATHOLIC SCHOOLS: The Good Word from The Office of Catholic Education 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, Parish 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 School 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 Archbishop 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 Religious Education.” 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, Catholic Church. In the Archdiocese of Indianapolis, ACRE is an important way of measuring the success we have — all for God’s greater honor and glory! Welcome Erin Jeffries! National Catholic Youth Conference 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 prior to the start of NCYC for participants from the Archdiocese of Indianapolis and CATECHETICAL CERTIFICATION FOR ALL! the Diocese of Lafayette-in-Indiana. 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 Unlike certification programs that require LIVE STREAMING: 12,000 visits from 30 countries many hours sitting in a classroom, our NCYC $cholarship$ United States Catholic Catechism for Adults process allows educators to immerse themselves in Sacred Tradition 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 deacons, 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.