How schools can bolster their Catholic identity

The administrators in our schools reaffirm each year that part of the answer is the hallmark of "Catholic school identity." This concept is reflected in the operation of Catholic schools through the teaching of love of God and one another, and through service to the community.

In this Jubilee Year, principals in the Catholic schools of the Albany Diocese will participate in a two-year program that takes a different approach to reach excellence. The program, "Enhancing Catholic School Identity," has been offered in several dioceses across the country. Administrators will gather Sept. 28-29 to address the topics of prayer leadership and Catholic social teaching. In year two, principals will pursue ways to enhance their knowledge of the Catholic faith as it relates to school life and their call to be faith leaders. Each month, administrators will receive information from the leadership team to assist them in developing the Catholic identity within their schools.

Catholic schools continue to excel academically, but need to reaffirm the characteristics that make them truly different þ- their Catholic School Identity.

Dr. Timothy McNiff, superintendent of schools in the Diocese of Arlington, Virginia, will lead a team of educators to facilitate the two-year process here. When asked why such a program is needed in Catholic schools, he said: "Because we have children for more of their waking hours than their parents, it is important that our schools blanket students with the love and security found in our Catholic identity. This seminar is an opportunity for school administrators to insure that Catholic identity is alive and well in their school community."

In recent years, the culture within Catholic schools has been reshaped by changes in the increasing number of lay faculty, students from other faith traditions and pressure of increasing tuition costs. "Enhancing Catholic School Identity" is a program designed to address these changes by building a culture within Catholic schools that uses the tradition of the Catholic Church to create an educational community based on faith and service.

Regina Hanley, executive director of the Catholic School Boards Department of National Catholic Education Association, helped organize this program. She feels participants will be enriched because "the program is built on the belief that effective leadership is critical to the mission of the Church and the future of Catholic schools. It is an opportunity for Catholic school leaders to expand their ability to strengthen the religious dimension of education in Catholic schools."

Catholic social justice issues are frequently discussed in election years by various candidates. By reviewing school identity, Catholic administrators have the opportunity to confront society and answer the call to be a "sign and safeguard of the dignity of the human person" in today's world.

During the two-year process, parents and students in each Catholic school will be asked to be part of its prayer life and service activities. Faculty and staff will put into action additional ways to promote Catholic identity in the curriculum, school community and school policies.

(Editor's note: The author is assistant superintendent for administrative services in the Albany diocesan Catholic Schools Office.)

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