Loyola University Chicago Loyola eCommons Dissertations Theses and Dissertations 2014 Revitalizing the Catholic Identity of Schools: Ecclesial Leaders of the Catholic Church on Methods of Providing an Outstanding Catholic Formation and Education for Students Linda Ann Andrejek Loyola University Chicago Follow this and additional works at: https://ecommons.luc.edu/luc_diss Part of the Educational Administration and Supervision Commons Recommended Citation Andrejek, Linda Ann, "Revitalizing the Catholic Identity of Schools: Ecclesial Leaders of the Catholic Church on Methods of Providing an Outstanding Catholic Formation and Education for Students" (2014). Dissertations. 884. https://ecommons.luc.edu/luc_diss/884 This Dissertation is brought to you for free and open access by the Theses and Dissertations at Loyola eCommons. It has been accepted for inclusion in Dissertations by an authorized administrator of Loyola eCommons. For more information, please contact [email protected]. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 License. Copyright © 2014 Linda Ann Andrejek LOYOLA UNIVERSITY CHICAGO REVITALIZING THE CATHOLIC IDENTITY OF SCHOOLS: ECCLESIAL LEADERS OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH ON METHODS OF PROVIDING AN OUTSTANDING CATHOLIC FORMATION AND EDUCATION FOR STUDENTS A DISSERTATION SUBMITTED TO THE FACULTY OF THE GRADUATE SCHOOL OF EDUCATION IN CANDIDACY FOR THE DEGREE OF DOCTOR OF EDUCATION PROGRAM IN ADMINISTRATION AND SUPERVISION BY LINDA ANN ANDREJEK CHICAGO, ILLINOIS MAY 2014 Copyright by Linda Ann Andrejek, 2014 All rights reserved. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS There are indeed many wonderful people whom I would like to publicly acknowledge and thank at the beginning of this important study on the revitalizing of the Catholic identity of schools across the country. First and foremost, however, I would like to acknowledge and thank God (the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit) for loving me into existence and redeeming me. Additionally, I would like to thank the Blessed Virgin Mary, Who, as our tender and loving Heavenly Mother, has guided me throughout life and brought me closer to Her Divine Son, Our Lord Jesus Christ! In terms of acknowledging and thanking my earthly family, first and foremost, I would like to acknowledge and thank my parents for all they have done for me. I would especially like to acknowledge and thank my beloved mother, Elisabeth Andrejek, for her love and for handing down the Truth and Beauty of our Holy Catholic Faith to me. I will be forever grateful that she started us on the practice of praying the daily Family Rosary at home over 40 years ago. I truly believe that this daily Rosary was the catalyst that began my journey to better internalize the Truth and Beauty of our Holy Catholic Faith! In addition, I would like to acknowledge and thank my father, Ludwig Andrejek, Sr., who has already passed through the veil of eternity - and whom I eagerly hope to see again someday in the Glory of Paradise! Furthermore, I would like to acknowledge and thank my four brothers: Fr. Michael Andrejek, Lou, Steve, and Dave, as well as my iii 12 nieces and nephews: Mary, Clare, John, Tom, Annie, Alex, Rachel, Luke, Abby, Dominic, Danielle, and Ella, and sisters-in-law: Lori, Amy, and Dina. I would also like to take this opportunity to thank the wonderful Ecclesial Leaders and Superintendents who gave of their time to meet with me for the interview section of this dissertation: His Eminence Cardinal Francis George, O.M.I., His Excellency Bishop Daniel Jenky, C.S.C., His Excellency Bishop William Callahan, O.F.M.Conv., His Excellency Bishop David Ricken, His Excellency Bishop Edward Rice, Fr. John Belmonte, S.J., Ph.D., Dr. Sharon Weiss, and Mr. George Henry. I pray that you and your (Arch)Dioceses receive many graces and blessings for your help in this important study! Finally, I would like to thank Dr. Janis Fine, my advisor, who has been extremely helpful throughout the process of writing this dissertation. She has indeed become a good friend! In addition, I would like to thank the other members of my dissertation committee: Fr. Peter Manickam, Dr. Marla Israel, and Deacon James Sinacore, Ph.D. May God bless and reward you all abundantly for your help and support! iv This study is dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus in the Most Holy Eucharist and the Immaculate Heart of Mary – in thanksgiving for Their Great Love for all of mankind and to console Them for the lack of love They often receive from mankind in return. May this study console Their Hearts and help alleviate the thirst of Jesus from the Cross, His thirst for our love and for the salvation of souls! In addition, this study is dedicated to my mother, Elisabeth Andrejek, who helped me come to better know and love Jesus and Mary! TABLE OF CONTENTS ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS .......................................................................................................iii LIST OF TABLES ..................................................................................................................... x ABSTRACT ............................................................................................................................ xi CHAPTER I. INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................................. 1 Background ............................................................................................................. 1 Significance of the Study ........................................................................................ 5 Purpose of the Study............................................................................................... 8 Research Questions ................................................................................................ 8 Methodology ........................................................................................................... 9 Definition of Terms ............................................................................................... 10 Proposed Chapters ................................................................................................ 12 II. REVIEW OF THE RELATED LITERATURE ....................................................................... 15 Introduction .......................................................................................................... 15 Catechetical Pillars ................................................................................................ 16 The Current Crisis of Faith .................................................................................... 17 The Need for the Reform of Catechetics .............................................................. 18 Current Catechetical Reform Strategies ............................................................... 19 Section One: Catechetical Pillars .......................................................................... 19 Catechetical Pillar #1: The Creed (Profession of Faith) ............................ 21 Catechetical Pillar #2: The Seven Sacraments .......................................... 27 Catechetical Pillar #3: The Ten Commandments ...................................... 32 Catechetical Pillar #4: Prayer and Liturgy ................................................. 36 Section Two: The Current Crisis of Faith ............................................................... 42 Section Three: The Need for the Reform of Catechetics ..................................... 43 Five Essential Characteristics of Catholic Schools .................................... 46 Section Four: Current Catechetical Reform Strategies ......................................... 50 Suggested Catechetical Reform Strategies ............................................... 50 Implemented Catechetical Reform Strategies .......................................... 63 Summary ............................................................................................................... 69 III. METHODOLOGY .......................................................................................................... 70 Introduction .......................................................................................................... 70 Research Questions .............................................................................................. 71 Research Design .................................................................................................... 72 vi Sampling Strategy ................................................................................................. 74 Population ................................................................................................. 74 Sample ....................................................................................................... 74 Main Participants in Study .................................................................................... 76 Additional Participants in Study ................................................................ 79 Data Collection ...................................................................................................... 81 Gaining Access .......................................................................................... 82 Open-Ended Interviews ............................................................................ 82 Documents ................................................................................................ 83 Field Log ...................................................................................................