Keeping the Faith

Photo ~ Cardinal Timothy Dolan

Keeping the Faith

In our nation’s history, Catholic schools had two goals: to educate excellently, and to form children in the faith.

Both are essential.

I recently had the pleasure of meeting with leaders in our Catholic high schools. They observed that, in some of their areas, the public schools were, thank God, offering a good education. Lord knows, they remarked, their facilities, and the frills in the government schools, were more dazzling than the Catholic high schools.

So, they asserted, there was only one reason for a parent to sacrifice financially to send his/her son/daughter to the Catholic high school: formation in faith, values, character, discipline, and religion . . . along with a first class education.

In other words, Catholic identity is a priority.

If our schools are not visibly and robustly Catholic, let’s save a lot of money and close them in areas where our children can get a decent academic education free of charge.

Our Jewish neighbors have come to know that; we had best rediscover it!

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philosopher

Apr 26, 2012

I remember reading a study a while ago, which tried to measure the efficacy of inculcating Catholic identity, values and morality to the students enrolled in Catholic schools. The study, which was funded by a diocese found that it all depended on the parents. If the parents where faithful practicing Catholics- then the school was able to enhance the family dynamics. But, if the parents were marginal Catholics or their lifestyles were at odds with Church teachings- then the school had no effect upon the students in their attitudes or convictions.

Bishop Fulton Sheen once said if he were in the shoes of a Catholic parent in today’s world, he would send them to a public school and teach them how to defend the faith, rather than send them to a Catholic school and have them loose it!

wirewrapper

Apr 25, 2012

This is actually a really hard thing to do with the economy and finances being the way they are in the USA. I would really like to see Catholic Schools get away from the Federal Funds that have attachments too them that end up posioning the kids. Also the fact that it is soo expensive to send kids to Catholic School make it abit of a elisit thing. I went to Catholic School all of my life, elementry school to my BA in Philosophy, and alot of Rich non-Catholics sent their children to Catholic Schools. It was because of the claim that the education was better. Now some of that is true and some of that is not. What I found great fault with was the lack of detail in Catechetical Education. I learned the most about my faith from CATHOLIC RADIO after when I was teaching as an adjunct instructor in Iowa. Also want to say that I learned the Most from my Mother, who never stopped teaching me about the faith.

Great Idea to send all of our kids to Catholic School, that way Parents don't have to do it at home right? Oh wait they already don't do that for anything, not just RELIGION! Just one suggestion to everyone with Children and want to educate them in the True Faith, TURN OFF ALL MEDIA AS MUCH AS YOU CAN! PRAY WITH YOUR KIDS and TEACH THEM!

Temperance

Apr 25, 2012

I don't think the problem is that simple! For instance, in my parish they send in the mail to the parishioners every year a finical statement of the parishes finances. Well I glanced at the school's finances and earnings and they were dead even. I asked why then do they keep the school running? The answer was not only to educate children in the faith, but also to employ all the teachers. I guess the pastor wants to help out the Catholic families as well. If the diocese closed the schools there would be a lot of jobs lost. We take care of our own.

BTW: Whats the deal with the photo? Not the greatest picture of the Bishop! Lol! Here in NY the Bishop is always running around with a cheery face and making everything seem great. For the most part I think he is a good bishop; however, his good mood seems fake at times. This is the first photo I have seen that he isn't smiling! Hmmmmm?

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