WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE CATHOLIC?

“We need to be reminded more often than instructed.”S.Johnson

Catholics are Christians who affirm Jesus– we are saved

Tradition is important to us Catholics use minds and hearts

– ratio et fides We believe in sacramentality

ordinary reveals extraordinary

Catholics emphasize community we are the Body of Christ

Core characteristics of Christianity:

positive anthropology; conviction of the sacramentality of life; emphasis on relationship; commitment to history, tradition appreciation of wisdom; emphasis on:

– spirituality

– social justice

– hospitality

In other words...Why did God make us?

know love serve

message community service

Problems of our Culture

Privatization of religion separation of private from public life

Tendency to “psychologize” “how do you feel?”

Reductive inclusivity Seinfeld: “not that there’s anything wrong”

Relativism it’s OK if it’s me

Religious Dimension of the Catholic School:

“From the first moment that a student sets foot in a Catholic school, he or she ought to have the impressionof entering a new environment, one illumined by the light of faith, and having its own unique characteristics.”

“…the impression of a new environment…

Creating the Catholic culture:– What is money spent on?– What is talked about on the PA?– Who/what is honored?– What is time spent on?– How are problems solved?– What are the rituals and rites of passage?– How are important matters communicated?– How are “things done around here”?

What Makes the School Catholic?

Elements of Catholic IdentityCatholic LeadershipReligious EducationWorshipFaith DevelopmentWitness/ServiceFaith CommunityTotal Person/StudentPhilosophyTraditionParental Involvement

Catholic Leadership

…the leader of the Catholic school is a Catholic who is knowledgeable in the Faith and steeped in the Tradition.

Leadership: a rubric

School administration and staff give witness to the lived Gospel.

The principal develops and promotes integration of faith and values.

Financial accountability and sharing of resources reflect Catholic social teaching.

The administrator emphasizes the Catholic nature of the school in the public forum.

Religious Education

…religious instruction is based on the doctrine and tradition of the Catholic Church...

Religious Education: a rubric

There is an articulated religion program. Priority is given to the teaching of religion. Values are added to the curriculum. The religion program articulates the teachings of

the Catholic Church. The religion curriculum is supervised and

evaluated. Teachers of religion are professionally competent.

Worship

… liturgical celebrations are integrated into the experiences of students...

Worship: a rubric

Meaningful liturgies are provided. Students participate in preparation of

liturgical celebrations. Liturgies and paraliturgical celebrations

mark important observances in the school. Students are instructed in meaning and

participation in worship services.

Faith Development

…the achievement of faith community within the school is clearly articulated...

Faith Development: a rubric

Signs, symbols, rituals and traditions of the Catholic Church are evident within the environment.

The school fosters and promotes the faith experience of students and staff.

The school teaches prayers and praying as part of the development of students and staff.

Witness and Service

…the counter-cultural aspects of the Catholic Faith, e.g. reflection, social justice, peace, non-consumerism, etc. are integral to the school’s curriculum...

Witness/Service: a rubric

The students are given instruction on the Church’s social teaching.

Ample opportunities are provided for service to others.

The students and the teachers reflect the lived message of the Gospel

Faith Community

…the achievement of a faith community within the school is a clearly articulated and constantly pursued goal….

Faith Community

The school seeks to aid the parents through programs of family evangelization.

The students and staff see themselves as integral parts of the parish, the diocese, the universal Church.

Opportunities for communal prayer are made available.

Total Person

…Church teachings and Gospel values form the basis of person to person interactions and of organizational practices within the school...

Total Person: a rubric

The school provides for all aspects of human development: intellectual, social, spiritual.

The school is known as a welcoming place. The school values the gifts and talents of all

its students and staff. The building and its furnishings reflect a

Catholic presence.

Philosophy

…the characteristics of Catholic education enunciated by the National Conference of Catholic Bishops, i.e.word, worship, community, service, are visible in the mission and practice of the school...

Philosophy/Mission: a rubric

The mission and philosophy reflect the integration of the Catholic faith and Gospel values with learning and life.

The mission and philosophy are consistent with the educational ministry of the Church.

The school expresses its belief through worship, teaching of Catholic doctrine and programs for spiritual formation.

Tradition

…the presence of sacred imagery, saints, pious practices, etc. are integrated into the experiences provided to the students...

Tradition: a rubric

Besides Scripture, the Church’s tradition is transmitted to students.

The grace and richness of sacramental experience and history is reflected in the curriculum and the climate.

Students and staff study the “heroes” of the faith and strive to emulate their witness.

School traditions reflect the Catholic heritage.

Parental Involvement

…the parents are the primary educators of their children and must be involved in their education, including their education in the faith...

Parental Involvement: a rubric

The rights of parents, as primary educators, are respected.

There is accountability to parents and families.

There are ample opportunities for parental involvement in the life of the school.

For Us to Ask Ourselves:

How can we use the rubric to determine the extent of presence/absence of the elements of Catholic identity?

What place does Catholic identity have in the school’s strategic plan? In its budget?

What can the school guarantee parents? Students? What role does Catholic identity play in the

development of teachers/ staff?

According to the Bishops’ 1972 letter “To Teach as Jesus Did”, the Catholic

school is characterized by:

Teaching of the message of Jesus Creation of a faith community The expectation of Christian service

Message: We teach the Scriptures and Tradition We study the life and teachings of Jesus We study the teachings and doctrine of the Church We infuse the religious dimension into all parts of

the curriculum We train our teachers in the knowledge of the

Catholic religion and methods for teaching religion

Message

There is an annual faculty retreat There is a clear articulation of the religious

mission of the school There is a concise plan for updating of

religion curricula There is a requirement that teachers be

updated regularly on Church teaching

Community

We welcome all into the school community We regularly share our faith and take

opportunities for communal prayer and worship.

We treat all persons with dignity and respect. We relate the school community to the larger

parish and Church community

Community Students participate in meaningful liturgies

and prayer opportunities Teachers are inserviced on various forms of

prayer Parents are involved in sacramental

preparation Parents are involved in the religious

formation of their children

Service

Service learning opportunities are an integral part of the curriculum

Students are instructed on the integration of Gospel teaching into service

Service projects are regularly assessed with regard to the appropriateness and value

Students are instructed in the social justice teachings of the Church

Service

Issues such as racism, ageism, sexism are addressed by the school and by teachers

Students are challenged to live in a socially responsible way by taking example from administrators and teachers

There is a conscious effort to recruit a diverse student population

There is a sense of global responsibility

Creating the Catholic Classroom

the physical set-up creating opportunities to grow and learn creating the local community offers to serve the person in the front of the room

The Physical Set-Up bulletin boards prayer corner arrangement of desks, tables decorations themes sacramentals

Opportunities to Grow & Learn

WWJD?? Seamless infusion of Catholic values Time to reflect, pray Catholic teachings

Creating the Local Community

the Domestic Church “all are welcome” Importance of forgiveness Investigation of Learning Styles Affective climate Respect for individual differences Respect for families

Offers to Serve

Classroom helpers Global awareness, concern Service Projects Influence on public, political scene

The most important element...the people who work there

held to higher standards “living logos” “... once in awhile, use words know when to hold ‘em

To Summarize:Our Commitment

to affirm students’ basic goodness, promote their dignity, develop their gifts;

to educate people to live responsibly as responsible partners;

to convince them that their lives are worthwhile and have historical significance.

In practical terms:

seamless integration of values; sacramentality in academic excellence; emphasis on the community of faith; development of “right relationship”; partnership with local and universal

Church; concern for the whole world.

Be it known to all who enter here: that Christ is the reason for this

school; He is the unseen, but ever-present teacher in its classes, the

model of its faculty, the inspiration of its students.