catholicschools

Catholic Schools: Born from Heart of the Church
by Fr. Allain Caparas

The recent decision of the University of Notre Dame to invite President
Barack Obama as its commencement speaker and recipient of an honorary
degree has led to much debate, shock and scandal within and outside the
university community. It has become national news. Many students, alumni,
and professors of the university, as well as many Catholics all over the
country, argue about the prudence of the university's decision to invite
President Obama. Senator Obama had repeatedly affirmed, and now as
president has placed into public policy, his long-stated unwillingness to hold
human life as sacred. Bishop John D'Arcy, whose diocesan boundaries include
Notre Dame, has decided not to attend the commencement ceremony, not
as disrespect to the president of the United States, "but in defense of truth
and about human life."

The controversy surrounding Notre Dame's decision should cause us all to
reflect - not to engage in esoteric and political discussions over those things
we have very little control, but more practically to think about the
significance of a Catholic school education, and whether or not sending our
children to Catholic schools is worth our consideration and investment.
Often times when we're deciding on which Catholic school we want to send
our children to, we look at everything about the school - their academics,
activities, sports (especially sports), facilities, teachers, housing, school life,
etc. These are all important, don't get me wrong. But they are not nearly as
important as the Catholic faith dimension that the school should offer. This is
what makes a Catholic school different from public schools or other private
schools - it's the Catholic part of education.

Let me first state my humble opinion: not all Catholic schools are created
equal. They have their strengths and weaknesses. And some seem to have
some serious weaknesses.

So, what are some things to look for Catholic faith-wise, when we are
discerning whether to send our children to a Catholic school (whether it's a
high school, college or a university)?

1. What sort of courses or requirements do they have with regards to the
study of the Catholic faith? Is there not just theology or "faith" education,
but Catholic education and formation?

There are many Catholic universities, for instance, that might "require"
religion courses as part of the curriculum, but do not necessarily require
anything Catholic or Christian for that matter. So your child might technically
go to a "Catholic" school and take a course on Southeast Asian Cultic
Practices or The Religion of Atheism but never learn anything Catholic (and
still fulfill their religion requirement!)

2. Are the Catholic teachers practicing Catholics (especially the religion
teachers) who attend Mass every week, are involved in their parishes, and
live up to and follow the teachings of the Catholic Church to the best of
their abilities? And if they teach religion, do they teach their students the
truth of the Catholic faith? If they are not Catholic, are they people of
integrity and good moral values? Do they practice their own faith? And do
they hold in profound respect the Catholic mission and identity of the
school?

I was told of a story, for example, of a religion teacher in a high school who
taught her students that Mary had other children, and that Jesus had other
blood brothers and sisters! That certainly doesn't sound like traditional
Catholic teaching to me!

3. In terms of faith-formation - does the school celebrate the Mass on a
regular, if not daily, basis? Do they offer opportunities and encourage regular
Confession and Eucharistic Adoration? What sort of spiritual retreats do they
offer? Do they have an active and solid Campus Ministry? Are there active
priests and/or religious present in the school?

4. And the most empirical proof of a solid Catholic education, in my opinion,
is this: how many of their student graduates practice their Catholic faith as
active members of their parishes and communities? How many of them can
you truly identify as good Catholic role-models for your children - who are
faithful to the practices and teachings of the Catholic Church? How many of
them can say that in some way they owe their love for the faith to the
influence of their school?

Remember YOU are the primary educators of your children. You took on that
responsibility and vocation when you brought your child for Baptism. Whether
you send your children to Catholic school or not, there is still your
commitment to the Church and to God. And if you choose to send your child
to a Catholic school or university, you must make sure that you can entrust
the formation of the soul of your child to that school. But if you are
concerned more for the athletic and academic formation, as important as
they are, and not the Catholic faith - I have some advice for you - save
your money.

The controversy surrounding Notre Dame is not only problematic for many
reasons, but is reflective of a deeper "identity" problem that seems inherent
in many of our Catholic institutions today. Many struggle with the challenge
of "being Catholic" in a pluralistic society. But way too many times in this
struggle, Catholic institutions have placed their Catholic identity as a
secondary priority. Sometimes the identity is so blurred that you can't tell
the difference between a Catholic and a secular institution.

Don't get me wrong, there are many good Catholic schools and universities.
But if you are contemplating sending your child to Catholic schools, you must
take the initiative to ask some important questions that can affect the
eternal salvation of your child. You might very well be concerned with their
immediate career and life-long needs, but how about their eternal needs,
which God has entrusted to you? Catholic schools have had a rich and
significant legacy in the history of our country - they were borne out of the
heart of the Church - whose mission they share in witnessing and professing
the truth of the Catholic faith "in season and out of season." And they left a
rich and significant legacy, not necessarily because they were always the
most competitive nor were they always the most prestigious, but because in
the words of Pope John Paul II, they prepared individuals, "inspired by
Christian principles" to "live their Christian vocation in a mature and
responsible manner." They were ready to face the burden of society and
"witness the faith to the whole world." And sometimes, this involves Catholic
institutions having to boldly and courageously "speak uncomfortable truths
which do not please public opinion but which are necessary to safeguard the
authentic good of society" and human dignity. And "speaking" these
courageous truths, often times, is not always about what we say - words
can be cheap - but in what we do.

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