Before the Cross | Catholic schools are to be rooted in faith

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Archbishop Robert J. Carlson arrived in style — on a John Deere tractor — for the closing Mass at SpiritFest, held Sept. 24 at Camp RockyVine in Dutzow. The daylong event for families, which included music, food and fun activities, was sponsored by the archdiocesan Catholic Youth Apostolate, the Knights of Columbus and Camp RockyVine.

Archbishop Robert J. Carlson

It is of utmost importance, therefore, that the Church's institutions be genuinely Catholic: Catholic in their self-understanding and Catholic in their identity. All those who share in the apostolates of such institutions, including those who are not of the faith, should show a sincere and respectful appreciation of that mission which is their inspiration and ultimate raison d'être.

-- Pope Benedict XVI

In January 2010, I said: "I want all our Catholic schools to be Alive in Christ! I want them to demonstrate a vibrant, hope-filled spirit that proclaims to the whole world that Christ is alive and active--in our homes, in our parishes and school communities and in our world. I want every Catholic school in our archdiocese to be a vibrant community of faith that is carrying out the teaching ministry of Jesus in ways that are visible, transformative and service-oriented."

At that time, I also offered three priorities for carrying out this pastoral vision: 1) The school must have a vibrant Catholic identity; 2) the school must be growing; and 3) the school must be financially healthy and, at the same time, provide assistance to those who otherwise could not afford to attend a Catholic school.

Enrollment and financial viability are self-evident. Without students, and without sufficient financial resources, schools cannot thrive. But what about my first priority -- a vibrant Catholic identity? Why is this so important to the health and vitality of Catholic schools?

If Catholic schools are true to their mission, they continue the teaching ministry of Jesus. To the extent that they are faithful to their Catholic identity, our schools help adults, youth and children in diverse regions of our archdiocese come to a deeper understanding of God's plan for human life and for all creation. When they are clearly and unapologetically Catholic, our schools are powerful instruments of evangelization -- helping members of the Catholic community and others from many diverse faiths, cultures and economic backgrounds grow intellectually, personally and spiritually as members of the one family of God. Catholic schools are also vital to the social ministry of the Church -- through the assistance they provide to students and families in need but also in their commitment to teaching social justice and providing students with opportunities to serve others.

Catholic schools that are faithful to their mission contribute directly to the health and vitality of the Church of St. Louis. Along with parish religious education programs, youth ministry and other means of lifelong faith formation and education, our Catholic schools provide religious education classes, sacramental preparation, liturgical and prayer experiences, and opportunities for Christian witness and service. They help form the faith community, and they challenge us to look beyond our own needs to the urgent needs of individuals, families and society at large.

What makes a Catholic school Catholic? Several years ago, Archbishop J. Michael Miller of Vancouver, Canada, former secretary of the Vatican's Congregation for Catholic Education, summarized the Holy See's teaching on Catholic schools. He said, "It is precisely because of its Catholic identity, which is anything but sectarian, that a school derives the originality enabling it to be a genuine instrument of the Church's apostolic mission." He then identified five "non-negotiables of Catholic identity." I want to paraphrase these here.

Here are the essential marks of a school's Catholic identity:

1) Faith in God is proclaimed in everything the school does.

2) Jesus Christ is the model for all human growth and learning.

3) The school community is recognized as part of the larger Church, the one Body of Christ.

4) A Catholic worldview is reflected in everything that is taught or offered to students experientially.

5) Students are inspired by the Christian witness of teachers and staff.

Schools that have a vibrant Catholic identity help students to know, love and serve Jesus Christ and to reach their full potential as human persons made in the image and likeness of God. Catholic schools hand on the faith to future generations. They help build human community and they provide disciplined environments that build character. Vibrant Catholic schools teach fundamental religious and moral principles consistent with our Church's belief and practice. Catholic schools help poor children break the cycle of poverty. They encourage all children to become productive and virtuous members of society.

I want every Catholic school in our archdiocese to be genuinely Catholic in its self-understanding and its identity so that it can carry out the teaching ministry of Jesus and hand on our Catholic way of life to future generations.

School identity

Archbishop Carlson writes about the essential marks of Catholic School Identity:

• Faith in God is proclaimed in everything the school does. (Oct. 7)

• Jesus Christ is the model for all human growth and learning. (Oct. 14)

• The school community is recognized as part of the larger Church, the one Body of Christ. (Oct.21)

• A Catholic worldview is reflected in everything that is taught or offered to students experientially. (Oct. 8)

• Students are inspired by the Christian witness of teachers and staff. (Nov. 4)

Archbishop's schedule

Saturday, Oct. 1

Missouri Catholic Conference Annual Assembly, Missouri Capitol, Jefferson City

Sunday, Oct. 2

10 a.m. Red Mass, Cathedral Basilica of St. Louis
4 p.m. Deacon Day, Cardinal Rigali Center

Monday, Oct. 3

9 a.m. Holy Childhood Mass, Holy Infant Church, Ballwin
11:45 a.m. Annual Catholic Appeal Associates of the Archbishop luncheon, Sheraton Westport, Maryland Heights

Tuesday, Oct. 4

11:30 a.m. Visit and lunch at St. Mary’s of the Barrens Vincentian house, Perryville
1 p.m. All-school Mass, St. Vincent de Paul Church, Perryville

Wednesday, Oct. 5

11:30 Luncheon and presentation, Lewis and Clark Chapter, Young Presidents Organization, Cardinal Rigali Center

Thursday, Oct. 6

10:30 a.m. Curia leadership meeting, Cardinal Rigali Center
11:45 a.m. Mass, Cardinal Rigali Center
1:30 p.m. Meeting with archdiocesan Presbyteral Council, Cardinal Rigali Center
7:30 p.m. Peter Richard Kenrick Lecture, Cardinal Rigali Center