Catholic Identity Recognizing Catholic Identity in Your School.

Catholic Identity

Recognizing Catholic Identity in Your School

Does your school SHOUT Catholic?

Does it Whisper Catholic?

OR

The Psalmist’s words provide an appropriate theological focus:

“Unless the Lord build the house, they labor in vain who

build it.”(Psalm 127:1)

These blunt words resound like a clarion to remind us that if we

absent the Lord, who is the builder, our efforts to build an effective Catholic School are for nothing.

The Challenge

The challenge for all of us is to create a distinctive

culture in our school community.

What is the definition of Catholic School Culture?

Catholic School Culture is a way of life rooted in Christ, a

Gospel based creed and code and a Catholic vision that provides identity and

inspiration and is shaped over time and passed from one generation to the next through devices that capture and stimulate the Catholic imagination

such as symbols and traditions.

What are some of the Gospel

values that give life to our

Catholic culture?

•Faith• Truth• Fidelity• Tradition• Doctrine• Revelation• Reading the Scripture

•Service• Commitment• Caring• Concern• Involvement• Empathy• Almsgiving

•Courage• Sacrifice• Self-denial• Discipline• Patience

• Justice• Courage• Human dignity• Stewardship• Equal distribution of goods

•Hope• Confidence• Optimism• Joy• Trust

• Love(God)

• Reverence• Worship• Prayer

• Love(Self)

• Self-esteem• Creativity• Acceptance

• Love(Others)

• Care• Concern• Respect• Acceptance

•Reconciliation• Forgiveness• Compassion• Conflict Resolution• Love of Enemy

•Community • Belonging• Fellowship• Trust• Equality

Mission Statement

Mission StatementOur mission statement captures our

school’s essence and it serves as a compass to direct the daily life of

the school.

The mission statement is the keystone lending stability to

the whole structure.

The mission statement pinpoints the core values of our school as

well as its non-negotiables.

Mission Statement

The mission statement articulates the meaning and purpose of the

school.

Mission Statement

The mission statement enables the school to stay on course in its

decisions, actions, behaviors, and activities.

It is not enough to write the mission statement and display it.

Rather, the mission statement is meant to breathe life into

curriculum, instruction, & activities as well as drive educational

decision making.

Is your school:

Mission Driven or

Crisis Driven

The ultimate goal for ANY Catholic School is to be

Mission Driven

Board Members

It is the responsibility of every

Board Member to promote the

mission statement to make it a living viable part of their decision

making.

As Board Members the message you communicate and the language you use when speaking about your

school must reflect, support, and strengthen that which

makes the school distinctively Catholic.

Board Members should know the history, the

heritage and the legacy of the school.

Catholic School Culture is really Catholic School Life.

It is rooted in Christ who is the way, the truth and

the life.

As Board Members you must act with

intentionality to connect everything you do to

Christ, the Gospel, and your school’s Vision.

Your leadership on the Board must always

engage others in building, promoting and even

SHOUTING that your school is truly Catholic.

The Second Vatican Council states that the mission of the

Church is “to carry on the work of Christ under the guidance of the Holy

Spirit ...”In turn, you are called by virtue of your Baptism to carry

forward the work of Christ by using your gifts and talents for

the building up of God’s Kingdom.

God has Blessed you with a unique and crucial mission,

namely, the work and ministry of carrying forward Christ’s

unfinished mission of building the Kingdom of God

in your school.

As Board Members you must engage in developing plans to

build Catholic Identity and Culture and to engage members of your school communities in

conversations that will help them to collaborate with God and

other members of the school in building authentic faith

communities.

Then our Bishop, our Parishes, our Families will encounter the Risen Lord teaching in their midst and

learn to carry forward His work by acting justly, loving tenderly,

and walking humbly with their God

(Micah 6:8).

NCEA Catholic Educational Leadership

Designing and Building Catholic Culture in Catholic Schools

Timothy J. Cook

NCEA School Board Study Programs

References

Special thanks to Keith Crowe for working with me and for his excellent insights into Catholic Identity for Boards.

Acknowledgements

Mr. Keith CroweSt. John Vianney Catholic School

Advisory Board President

Create a distinctive culture in our school communities Catholic identity Inspiration to grow

Our school mission statement is a primary focus Captures each school’s essence Serves as a compass

Take-aways

School Board Responsibilities Mission & Philosophy Budget Planning Policy Community Advancement

Catholic Identity and the Elementary School Board

Mission & PhilosophyAll Catholic elementary schools exist for a single purpose – to pass on our Catholic faith to our youth by integrating elements of it with the learning process, while providing a high quality education.


Mission & Philosophy Promote your mission statement in every

Board activity Drives strategy, purpose, policy and planning Motivates teachers, students and parents

Periodic review of your mission statement Strategic planning process Tie-in with Parish mission statement


Budget Goal: make Catholic Education affordable

and achievable for everyone who desires it Develop annual budget Provide structure for tuition assistance


Planning Current strategic plan follows mission

statement and exhibits Catholic identity Renewing the strategic plan exercise

affords a great opportunity to check focus on Catholic identity


Policy Development Consistent with Diocesan policies approved

by the Bishop Response to an identified need Formation should include a process-check

to ensure alignment with Catholic identity


Community Advancement Development

Fundraising Planned giving

Marketing Curriculum Marketing plan

Recruitment Students Faculty


Your Catholic school is usually the largest ministry within your Parish

The board should be responsible for bringing the school and Parish together

Each board needs a voice of the Parish – usually the Pastor

Fostering this community which enables its Catholic identity to shine


Does your school SHOUT Catholic?

Or Does it Whisper Catholic?

Does your School BoardSHOUT Catholic?

Or Does it Whisper Catholic?

Catholic Identity Recognizing Catholic Identity in Your School.

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