Seton Hall University eRepository @ Seton Hall Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs) 2010 The Discernment Process of the Sisters of Saint Dominic Regarding the Continued Sponsorship of its Secondary Schools Sr. Patricia Tavis Seton Hall University Follow this and additional works at: https://scholarship.shu.edu/dissertations Part of the Other Education Commons, and the Secondary Education and Teaching Commons Recommended Citation Tavis, Sr. Patricia, "The Discernment Process of the Sisters of Saint Dominic Regarding the Continued Sponsorship of its Secondary Schools" (2010). Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs). 1528. https://scholarship.shu.edu/dissertations/1528 THE DISCERNMENT PROCESS OF THE SISTERS OF SAINT DOMINIC REGARDING THE CONTINUED SPONSORSHIP OF ITS SECONDARY SCHOOLS BY SISTER PATRICIA TAVIS, O.P. Dissertation Committee Reverend Monsignor Kevin Hanbury, Ed.D., Mentor Elaine Walker, Ph.D. Sister Honora Werner, O.P., D.Min. Sister Donna Ciangio, O.P., D.Min. Submitted in Partial Fulfillment Of the Requirements for the Degree Doctor of Education Seton Hall University SETON HALL UNIVERSITY COLLEGE OF EDUCATION AND HUMAN SERVICES OFFICE OF GRADUATE STUDIES APPROVAL FOR SUCCESSFUL DEFENSE Doctoral Candidate, Patricia M. Tavis, has successfully defended and made the required modifications to the text of the doctoral dissertation for the Ed.D. during this Spring Semester 2010. DISSERTATION COMMITTEE (please sign and date beside your name) Mentor: Committee Member: External Reader: The mentor and any other committee members who wish to review revisions will sign and date this document only when revisions have been completed. Please return this form to the Office of Graduate Studies, where it will be placed in the candidate's file and submit a copy with your final dissertation to be bound as page number two. O Copyright by Sister Patricia Tavis, O.P., 2010 All Rights Reserved ABSTRACT The Discernment Process of the Sisters of Saint Dominic Regarding the Continued Sponsorship of Its Secondary Schools The purpose of this dissertation was to examine the factors that a congregation of women religious, the Sisters of Saint Dominic of Caldwell, New Jersey, must consider in order to continue its sponsored relationship and the extent of this sponsored relationship with its secondary educational ministries for the future. This descriptive and historical study examined the following areas: sponsorship, sustainability, change, the Congregation's Conceptual Design Process, and various areas of influence, such as mission, charism, finances, and congregational demographics. The members of the Sisters of Saint Dominic considered each of these areas as they examined the sponsored relationship of the Congregation with the three secondary schools in the study. A review of the literature revealed that there is little written regarding the sponsorship of secondary schools by congregations of women religious. This dissertation utilized a researcher self-constructed survey to determine the factors that that a congregation of women religious must consider in order to continue its sponsored relationship and the extent of this sponsored relationship with its secondary educational ministries for the future. The data was gathered from 139 respondents of the survey, all professed members of the Congregation. The significant findings revealed the following: (a) the Congregation values and holds dear the mission, vision, charism, and heritage of the congregation; (b) the Congregation is committed to stewardship of the heritage, mission, and resources of the congregation; (c) the Congregation believes in collaboration with the laity to share the responsibilities for the mission of the Church through a sponsored relationship with the institutions; (d) sponsorship is a concept that is evolving and needs to be customized to the respective ministries dependent on their nature and purpose; (e) sustainability is broader than finances; and (d) there are canonical and civil responsibilities that must be honored as long as the Congregation stays in a sponsored relationship with the respective secondary schools. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS With gratitude, I acknowledge the many people who assisted me throughout the dissertation process. It is with genuine appreciation that I thank my mentor, Rev. Msgr. Kevin Hanbury, Ed.D. I could have not completed the dissertation without his advice, support, and encouragement. My committee members, Elaine Walker, Ph.D., Sr. Honora Werner, O.P., D.Min., and Sr. Donna Ciangio, O.P., D.Min., graciously gave of their time and provided valuable guidance and direction. Special thanks to William Suriano, Ed.D., my program advisor, for his advice and help throughout my four years of study at Seton Hall University. To Sister Arlene Antczak, O.P., Prioress of the Sisters of Saint Dominic, who invited me to pursue a doctoral degree. I am most grateful for this extraordinary opportunity. My heartfelt gratitude to my sisters and brothers: Cathy and Gerry Perret, Patty and Richard Tavis, and Margie and Brian Tavis, and my nieces and nephews: Kim and Gerard Perret, Suzanne and Kevin McCullough, Kelly and Richard Tavis, Helaine and Shaun Thomas, Ryan Tavis, Christian Tavis, Samantha Tavis, Megan Tavis, and Brian Tavis for their understanding, support, and unfailing love and encouragement. My deep appreciation to Rev. Carl Arico, my teacher, mentor, and friend, for his many kindnesses and words of encouragement throughout the dissertation process. I am grateful to Gwen Trezza and Maureen Wehrfritz for their friendship, support, and expert assistance with their computer instructions and assistance which enabled this document to take shape through many drafts. I am forever indebted to the sisters, lay teachers, and clergy of Saint Michael Parish School, Union and Union Catholic Girls' High School, Scotch Plains for their dedication to Catholic school education in the Dominican tradition. A special thanks to Sister Christine Coakley, O.P., my eighth grade teacher and "sponsor" who guided and supported me in my decision to enter the Sisters of Saint Dominic. To the late Sister Mary Virginia, O.P., Union Catholic principal and my "co-sponsor," for her inspirational leadership which influenced my decision to become a teacher. Thanks to Sr. Ellen McMahon, O.P., Sr. Patricia Tully, O.P., June List, and Carolyn Medler, for their enthusiastic support and encouragement throughout my studies and the dissertation process. Thanks to Joy Alfano for her friendship and for spending many hours helping input the survey data into the SPSS program. And last, but certainly, not least, a special thank you to my "study buddies," Mary Dillon and Andrea Duanarummo for their friendship, on-going support, encouragement, and for making class time and all the hours spent in the library, enjoyable. To the rest of my family and friends and anyone whom I may have inadvertently forgotten to mention, your support and willingness to listen helped me immeasurably. Thank you. DEDICATION To my parents, Catherine and Richard Tavis, who instilled in me a love for learning: From their faith, my vocation was nourished. Through their sacrifices, I learned the value of a Catholic school education. By their example, I learned the importance of service to church and school. From their love, I was encouraged to persevere through difficult times. From their love for family, I learned to respect and appreciate others. and To the Sisters of Saint Dominic of Caldwell: Through their support and encouragement they furthered my quest for knowledge in preparation for the next generation of students, Through those sisters who have gone before us, we continue to be enriched by their lifetime efforts to provide quality Catholic education for all, To future generations of Caldwell Dominicans and their students, that they learn from the past, reap the rewards of the present, and look forward to the challenges of the future. vii TABLE OF CONTENTS ABSTRACT ................................................................................. iii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ............................................................... v DEDICATION .............................................................................. vii TABLE OF CONTENTS ......................................................................................... viii LIST OF TABLES ................................................................................................... X I . INTRODUCTION Background ............................................................................. Problem Statement .......................................................................................... Research Questions ......................................................................................... Significance of Study...................................................................................... ... Llmltat~ons............................................................................. Chapter. Summary ........................................................................................... Definition of Terms ........................................................................................ IIREVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE Introduction ............................................................................ Catholic Schools: Historical Perspective .................................................... Congregations of Women Religious and the Foundation