Excellence in Catholic Education

The new school year is almost upon us.  Each year the Pittsburgh Catholic does a back-to-school supplement.  Somehow I got asked to do a column on "Excellence in Catholic Education" for this supplement.  I could have praised the test scores, faculty, curricula, extracurricular activities, and rich Christian atmosphere of our Catholic elementary schools.  But I thought I'd take the idea in another direction.  (This will also be my column in our New Castle parish bulletin for August 30.)


A few years ago Catholic elementary schools touted their excellence with the slogan, "Where great beginnings last a lifetime."  And it's true.  The students in our Catholic schools, at St. Vitus School, in this diocese and throughout the U.S., have achieved an unparalleled record of academic excellence.  Alumni have and continue to go on to rewarding careers as parents, businesspersons, doctors, lawyers, soldiers, office and factory workers, professors, even priests, deacons and members of religious communities.

To reach these heights our grads have continued their education, receiving advanced degrees in a wide variety of disciplines.  But somewhere along the way Catholic educators and we pastors have failed to communicate adequately that all our young people are in the "school of continual faith formation" as well. The Catholic faith they received in baptism, Holy Communion and Confirmation necessarily is only fulfilled by a lifetime of attention and commitment.

The path from childhood faith to adult faith is fraught with difficulties.  During the college years young people are exposed to a wide range of ideas and philosophies, many skeptical of Christianity.  During the young adult years dating and decisions about sexuality and the permanence of marriage are important.  The challenging perspective of Jesus's teachings often get lost in a "just do it" or "whatever" culture.  Young adults soon learn God does not strike them dead if they miss Mass on Sunday.  Then one Sunday turns into a month of Sundays.  Some of their friends may espouse the old canard that "all religions are the same," which is code language for "don't bother with practicing your Catholicism."

All of these barriers to the active practice of the Catholic faith need to be addressed in the school of continuing faith formation.  But not in an actual school building.  Adults learn differently than children.  Adults need to be engaged.  Adults learn by participating.  Their questions are just as important as accurate answers.

Parishes and faith communities which have success in facilitating the transition from childhood faith to adult practice use a variety of methods.  One sure way is inviting folks to volunteer for a ministry.  It could be as a lector or extraordinary Eucharistic minister, a helper in the parish festival or aide in the youth ministry.  Our parishes benefit from young adults invited to serve on the pastoral and finance councils, as well as in the Knights of Columbus, St. Vincent de Paul Society, or Catholic men's fellowship.

Another popular route to faith engagement is adult bible study.  No one has to be a scholar to sit down with other interested adults, share their experiences and feelings, and reflect deeply on the riches of one of the Gospels or another biblical book.  In these bible studies the ups and downs of ordinary life meet the living and nourishing Word of God.

Retreats and days of reflection--time away from the busyness of life--help Christians of all ages grow in prayer and the infinite value of the Eucharist.

I've been blessed to walk with couples who reflect on the graces of the sacrament of Matrimony through Teams of Our Lady.  Our monthly gatherings of supper, prayer and discussion, bolstered by praying the Magnificat daily, open up new vistas in how they meet Christ in and through their marriage and family.  Participation in similar lay ecclesial movements, such as Cursillo, the Christ Child Society, the Ladies of Charity, Marriage Encounter, Pax Christi and the Serra Club, can nourish and help us to grow in the Catholic faith.

Excellence in Catholic education means more than just outstanding Catholic elementary and high schools, more than exceptional C.C.D. programs for youth.  Excellence in Catholic education invites us to be lifelong inter-generational, multi-faceted learners.  Excellence in Catholic education means all of us, called by God in faith to be disciples of Jesus Christ, invest our hearts and minds in the pursuit of living daily the two great commandments, love of God and love of neighbor, "growing in every way into him who is the head, Christ" (Ephesians 4:15).