Putting 'Catholic' in Catholic schools is work of everyone

Gone are the days when large classes of children memorized the Baltimore Catechism under the direction of "Sister."

Catholic schools today have smaller pupil-teacher ratios, rely on hands-on learning through such programs as volunteer social justice efforts, and are staffed by lay teachers.

Despite those changes Catholic educators insist that Catholic schools are just as "Catholic" as those that existed during the 1940s and 1950s.

Following Jesus

"You can't equate being Catholic with being Religious," she said. "It is being a follower of Jesus Christ. We're all called to follow Jesus Christ in the Gospel."

The presence of religious sisters and brothers at a school is not what made schools Catholic, she said. The habits worn by religious communities working in schools were external signs of what the school stood for.

"We live too much on externals," she said. "Schools are Catholic in the living out of the Gospel. [Catholic] identity is much more Gospel [based.] It is people who live the Gospel and holy lives."

Lay example

"The shift from Vatican II has said we're all Church," she said. "There is an increased participation [of the laity] in the Church and the mission of Jesus."

Sister Rosalie Kelley, CSJ, principal of St. Francis de Sales Regional School in Herkimer, would like to see a change in people's perceptions on the value of the laity in Catholic school ministry.

"Catholic people need to realize this is the way it has to be and this is the way it's going to be," she said. "How sad to think other baptized Christian people can't do the same thing [women religious] have done. They are baptized Christians who take this as a ministry, not a job."

Changing image

At St. Francis de Sales, there are three women religious on a staff of 15. The principal said the school community is enriched by the presence of both religious and laity on staff.

"It's wonderful to have some vowed religious," she said. "It's nice to have both."

All-lay staff

"Having an all lay faculty is a special witness," said Rev. Randall Patterson, pastor.

He said the Catholic identity at the school is strong. There are monthly first Friday Masses prepared by each class, special prayer services throughout the school year, religious instruction and service projects.

"They do a good job," he said of the teachers. "Children are learning about their faith. Teachers model and demonstrate Gospel values."

Teaching faith

Mrs. Snyder said working in Catholic schools was a career choice for her.

"We really can make a difference because we can share God," she said. "We can't share at all in public schools. It's not worth it to me to make more money [if I can't share my faith.] This ministry we're gifted with requires faith and willingness. It's not the habit or the collar; it's the heart."

Witnesses

"A critical issue is formation for lay people at Catholic schools," she said. "We went through the novitiate. Lay people need formal preparation as well. We need to work on formation."

In the Albany Diocese, each school develops a yearly faith formation plan that is submitted to the Catholic School Office. Our Lady of Victory's plan includes the faculty participating in a day-long retreat with staff from other Troy Catholic schools, as well as an afternoon of adult faith formation.

At St. Francis de Sales in Herkimer, the faculty participates in four faith formation classes a year. Most of the teachers on staff are pursuing advanced catechist certification from the diocesan Office of Religious Education, Sister Rosalie said.

According to the superintendent, faith formation is a life-long process. "You can't cross it off your list. It's on-going," Sister Jane said.

Obvious signs

Sister Jane agreed that there should be physical evidence of a school's Catholic identity. This can include bulletin boards and displays of work that reflect a religious dimension.

Sister Clare said the attitude and behavior of the faculty, students and parents should be respectful of each other. Sister Jane said the administration should talk about the school as being a Catholic one.

Academics

When looking at the academic program of a Catholic school, religion will play an important role, Sister Jane said, noting: "Every subject is done through the lens of Catholic identity."

For example, a history class may also look at social justice issues. In one classroom that Sister Jane recently visited, first graders were learning about story-telling. The story they were using was the Christmas story. In a high school earth science class, the students discussed the Declaration of Human Rights.

Social justice is another critical element to Catholic identity. "Our faith is action, too," Sister Jane said. "It's not just learning it as a subject. It's lived."

At your service

At St. Francis de Sales, Sister Rosalie said the staff plays an important role in the school's Catholic identity. "I make sure the people we hire don't disappoint us," she said. "All of our teachers are family-oriented, very spiritual people who understand why we're here."

She speaks highly of the lay people on her staff. "They are baptized Christians who take on this ministry," she said. "It would be sad to lose Catholic schools because the time of women religious is declining. We need to welcome the lay people. They've got the faith and the desire. Otherwise, we'll be closing all of our schools -- and that would be ridiculous."

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