Promoting Schools' Catholic Identity Key to Their Survival, Leaders Say

Catholic Press · #1 Oct 7, '11, 4:50 am

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manualman · #2 Oct 7, '11, 7:16 am

You'd think this would belong in the "Duh!" files, but it is a really sadly needed message. Far too many catholic schools are really just low budget private schools with crucifixes on the wall, a religion class tacked on like an afterthought and maybe an all school mass once a month. Why WOULD you spend an arm and a leg for that?

Catholic schools are only worth it when the entire atmosphere of the places oozes catholicism. My kids attend a school with DAILY all school mass, monthly confession, frequent devotions, feast day observances, prayer in the classroom and distinctively catholic curriculum not just in religion class (Faith & Life series), but in reading, history, social studies, heck even the handwriting program is catholic-based.

For much of my youth, the Church was failing to teach young people that we must live in the world, but not be OF it. When people don't learn to recognize the sinfulness that pervades our culture, they will never learn to avoid that sin in their own lives.

But if they are exposed to a genuinely catholic community that is well formed and evangelized, they will not just learn to read and write, they will learn to discern the difference between the values of this fallen world and those of God.

Elizabeth502 · #3 Oct 7, '11, 9:50 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by manualman

You'd think this would belong in the "Duh!" files, but it is a really sadly needed message. Far too many catholic schools are really just low budget private schools with crucifixes on the wall, a religion class tacked on like an afterthought and maybe an all school mass once a month. Why WOULD you spend an arm and a leg for that?

Catholic schools are only worth it when the entire atmosphere of the places oozes catholicism. My kids attend a school with DAILY all school mass, monthly confession, frequent devotions, feast day observances, prayer in the classroom and distinctively catholic curriculum not just in religion class (Faith & Life series), but in reading, history, social studies, heck even the handwriting program is catholic-based.

For much of my youth, the Church was failing to teach young people that we must live in the world, but not be OF it. When people don't learn to recognize the sinfulness that pervades our culture, they will never learn to avoid that sin in their own lives.

But if they are exposed to a genuinely catholic community that is well formed and evangelized, they will not just learn to read and write, they will learn to discern the difference between the values of this fallen world and those of God.

Note, however, the modification above.