III. Catholicity of Schools
Findings and Background
1. Maintaining a distinctively Catholic focus in schools and parishes is increasingly challenging because of strong secular trends in our society.
2. Catholic families that attend our schools and parishes are strongly influenced by secular society and are in constant need of instruction to refocus them on the message of Jesus.
3. Catholic secondary schools are particularly vulnerable to the expectations of parents for emphasis on academics, sports and other programs (all good in their own right) at the expense of religion, moral values, services and other priorities of a Catholic school.
4. Historically, religious communities helped maintain a strong Catholic focus in schools. The Catholic focus must now be maintained and reinforced by school administrators, in collaboration with the pastors, local school council and the Department of Catholic Schools.
5. Parish-based management has been and will continue to be the preferred strategy for Catholic schools. Schools have been and will continue to be central to the parish educational ministry to families.
Objectives and Strategies
1. Each archdiocesan, parish and inter-parochial elementary and secondary school will be distinctively Catholic and Christ-centered in its mission, values and program.
Strategies:1.1 Each Catholic school will annually evaluate itself using the Religion Program Standards, including the Religion In-depth Study, and the WCEA/WASC Criteria provided by the Department of Catholic Schools.
1.2 Specific action strategies will be implemented by the school as a result of the evaluation.
1.3 The mission statement and philosophy of each school will be expressed regularly and understood by all constituencies. These statements will be published, vocalized and evaluated on an annual basis.
1.4 Each Catholic school will annually assess its policies and procedures (e.g., hiring practices, admissions, discipline, financial assistance plan) to ensure they consistently reflect fair practice and Catholic values.
2. Catholic elementary schools will be an integral part of parish ministry, supporting the parish and being supported by it.
Strategies:2.1 The principal should be part of the parish pastoral leadership team.
2.2 The school will schedule activities that involve students and staff in parish worship programs, service projects, etc.
2.3 The parish will provide moral support for the school and material support to the best of its ability.
2.4 As an evangelizing ministry, each school should have plans to bring Catholic students and parents into full participation in the sacramental life of the Church. Likewise, an orientation should be in place to share and clarify Catholic traditions, beliefs and practices with families and students who are not Catholic.
3. Students attending Catholic schools (and their parents) will be regularly challenged to follow the example of Jesus Christ and to develop a personal, life-long commitment to Him.
Strategies:3.1 Each school will ensure that school life and learning are centered on worship, Word, community and service.
· Worship - regular liturgy, prayer and prayer services in the Catholic tradition will give expression to the Catholic nature of the school.
· Word - teaching and living Gospel values, preservation of and passing on Catholic values, traditions, beliefs and culture are at the heart of the school's curriculum, programs and activities.
· Community - the climate/culture of the school reflects a commitment to each person's faith development and a caring respect for each individual.
· Service - opportunities for action are provided that are consistent with Catholic social awareness and values, and serve as a witness of the Church in the wider community.
3.2 Schools and their parish will encourage a vocational awareness among students and invite them to consider a call to life of service to the Church as priests, deacons, lay ministers, or religious priests, sisters or brothers.
3.3 Schools, with their parish, will support and empower parents, grandparents and guardians in their role of fostering continued life-long faith development and learning with their children. Parent programs, effective communication with parents and fostering effective parent-school relations provides the opportunities to encourage and build parent involvement.
4. Administrators, school councils, faculty and staff of Catholic schools will be regularly encouraged to deepen their faith commitment, and to live their commitment on a daily basis.
Strategies:4.1 The Department of Catholic Schools will regularly provide in-service for Catholic school staffs that focuses on strengthening their commitment to the Catholic mission of the schools.
4.2 Local school administrators, with support from pastors and the Department of Catholic Schools, will also provide effective opportunities for retreats, liturgies, prayer, formation, involvement in the Religious Education Congress, etc.
