To speak on future of schools

Rev. Ronald Nuzzi accentuates the positive, especially when it comes to Catholic schools.

A priest of the Youngstown, Ohio, Diocese, he is director of the Catholic Leadership program in the Alliance for Catholic Education at the University of Notre Dame. He will be the keynote speaker at the bi-annual Catholic Teachers Convention, Oct. 4 in Albany. In addition, he will address pastors with Catholic schools on Oct. 5.

This year's convention theme is culled from Psalm 119: "Your word is a lamp to guide me and a light for my path."

School success

"My talk will explore the history of Catholic schooling in America and the effectiveness of a Catholic school education in today's society," Father Nuzzi said.

"Recent research has shown that individuals who have a Catholic education are more successful academically, religiously and socially. Catholic school graduates make significant contributions to the common good. For example, they are politically involved, routinely vote in elections and are fully engaged in societal activities."

When he speaks to pastors, he said, "I want to discuss the need for a broader perspective on Catholic education in today's world."

Future

Father Nuzzi cited the need for a discussion about the future of Catholic education and how schools might differ from today.

"In Chicago, the Jesuits have developed a program for high school students who work part-time and attend school on a full-time basis," he said. "Their employers pay their tuition."

Other new models of Catholic schooling, he said, include creative fiscal options, such as centralized purchasing, common healthcare standards and more inviting retirement benefits for teachers.

"Right now, each bishop has his own policies in place," the priest said. "When that bishop retires or leaves his diocese and a new one assumes leadership, his policies might be completely different. If dioceses could somehow consolidate on these issues, it would go a long way towards decreasing expenses in the daily operation of Catholic schools."

(9/30/04)