Catholic Schools and the Future of the Church

Description

During the first decade of the 21st century the Catholic Church in the developed world has faced a decline in its moral authority, increasing accusations of irrelevance to a secular age, and a steep and steady decline in commitment among successive generations from the 1960s on. Despite this Catholic schools have multiplied and grown in popularity and educational achievement. The book sets out a programme for the contribution of Catholic schools to the future of the Church, covering such topics as the religious education curriculum in its cognitive and affective aspects, the sacramental life of the school, selection of staff, the issue of staff and Catholic witness and many other topics. Engebretson argues that Catholic schools are a powerful key to the future of the Church and shows how, within their diversity, Catholic schools can be ecclesial communities, which have at their heart the building up of the Church. FC Half title Also available from Bloomsbury Title Copyright Contents Acknowledgements 1 A Church Cannot Last Without Its People The Catholic education achievement A declining church? Why use Mass attendance as the criterion? Some ways to understand the decline in Catholic commitment among young people Catholic schools then and now In conclusion: The catholic/Catholic school Review References 2 The Catholic High School and Religious Socialization Introduction The process of socialization Religious socialization The process of religious socialization Religious socialization and legitimation Characteristics of a religiously socialized person Agents of religious socialization Australian research The religious school as an agent of religious socialization The Catholic school and reference others Conclusion: Catholic schools can make a difference Review References 3 Mapping the Catholic Identity and Mission of Catholic High Schools Introduction The Catholic identity of the Catholic school Elements of the Catholic identity of the school The mission of the Catholic school: Hunter’s (2010) theology of faithful presence within Conclusion: Distinctive in plurality Review References 4 Reviving the Chain of Memory Introduction Religious illiteracy among young Catholics Why does religious illiteracy matter? How did it come to this? The experiences of religious education teachers in the immediate aftermath of the Council Religious education: Reviving the collective memory Revisiting the chain of memory Mapping the content of the religious education curriculum Characteristics of the content Conclusion: Religious education and the development of doctrine Review References 5 Principles and Practice of a Methodology for Religious Education  in Catholic High Schools Introduction St Paul in dialogue with culture The young Catholic’s spiritual and religious lifeworld Spirituality, religion and religiosity Religious identity Dialogue between Catholicism and the spiritual and religious lifeworld of the student Elements of the curriculum model Not as easy as it sounds Conclusion: Successful and enjoyable religious education Review References 6 Christian Service Programmes in Catholic High Schools Introduction The theological rationale for Christian service programmes Christian service programmes in Catholic high schools A range of Christian service programmes Outcomes for students of their involvement in Christian service programmes Christian service learning in Catholic high schools and critical social analysis Using scripture to inform reflective thinking about social justice activities Conclusion: More than Noblesse Oblige Review References 7 Teaching Complex Topics in Religious Education Richard Rymarz Introduction The new terrain: Overcoming the cult of niceness Complex topics in religious education: Some basic issues Teaching complex content areas A worked example: Teaching about God in Catholic high schools Conclusion: Don’t avoid the hard topics in religious education Review References 8 Teachers in Catholic High Schools Introduction Religious education teachers The pre-service preparation of religious education teachers Induction, formation and mentorship of the new religious education teacher The issue of dissent on the part of the religious education teacher Teaching about controversial issues The professional responsibilities of non-religious education teachers in Catholic high schools Conclusion: Catholic education is a work of the laity Review References 9 The Faith Leadership Role of the Principal: What the Research  Suggests Helga Neidhart The principal as faith leader Faith leadership: A challenging task From the principals’ perspective Faith leadership formation Conclusion: Recommending the faith leadership formation model Review References 10 Catholic Schools are Distinctive and Inclusive Introduction The ecclesial identity of the Catholic high school The Church is one: Unity in diversity and Christian communion The unity and identity of the Church impels her to inter-religious dialogue Papal teaching on other religions after the second Vatican Council Pope John Paul II How does the Catholic school express and reflect this unity of the Church? Conclusion: Distinctive in plurality Review References 11 Voices from Catholic Parishes Introduction Parishes where the presence of young people is strong Should we focus our hopes on migrant youth? Concern about the phenomenon of youth disassociation from the Church Reflections on reasons for the decline Some took a more positive view Successful activities for teenagers and young adults Are you hopeful for the future of the Church? Issues with which we continue to contend Conclusion: Towards the future Index