Bishop Robert Finn and the Catholic Commitment of Catholic Educators

A Covenant of Faith

Catholic Schools exist to reveal and expose the Catholic faith. In a deeper sense they serves as vehicles for the promotion of all students to develop an intimate relationship with Jesus Christ. This statement serves as the premise behind Bishop Robert Finn's recent article in his Diocesan newspaper (Catholic Diocese of Kansas City-St.Joseph) the "Catholic Key" on the Catholic Commitment of all Catholic schools and Catholic school teachers. Two main areas of focus in his article are directed towards the teachers who instruct, and the parents who serve as the primary educators of their children. This article will concentrate on the teachers commitment.

The identity of a Catholic school rests on the active vibrant practice and open expression of Catholicism in every component of a Catholic School. As the identity of Catholic schools can be effectively argued has waned throughout the last forty-years, great efforts have been made through the catehetical movement within the Church e.g. the publication of the Catechism of the Catholic Church (1992), the development of the USCCB Ad-Hoc committee that oversees the use of the Catechism in religious education textbooks, the publication of the General Directory for Catechesis (1997).

These valuable resources do indeed assist in the auuthentic transmission of the faith. However, they are of no use, if those who have been placed in positions to transmit the Deposit of Faith do not faithfully or effectively use them.

Hence, Bishop Finn is calling on all Catholic teachers to make a firm Catholic commitment as authentic guardians of the faith to the children whom they instruct. As part of the teachers contract within the Catholic Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph, each teacher will know and understand that by signing their contract they are effectively adhering to the teachings of the Catholic Church. This Catholic commitment statement signifies that each teachers knows and understands the teachings of the Catholic Church and the fielity to uphold these teachings as revealed to us via Sacred Tradition and Sacred Scripture and carefully formulated through the Catechism of the Catholic Church and the Code of Canon Law.

What this statement reflects is the teachers commitment to actively practice the faith and faithfully transmitt that faith as a witness of the Gospel. Pope Paul VI reminded us so clearly when he wrote Evangelii Nuntiandi(1975) the famous creed for all Catholic educators: "Modern man listens more willingly to witnesses than to teachers, and if he does listen to teachers, it is because they are witnesses." (41)

This type of statement should be nothing knew to anyone who knows and understands what the Church of Jesus Christ has always asked of its faithful. The Apostles knew all too well not to stray from what has been handed down to them i.e. the Deposit of Faith where the faithful carefullly received authentic instruction (Acts 2:39-42) St. Paul reminds us of the fidelity required of all God's children in Col 3:1-3 to set our minds on the things that are above, not on the things that are on earth.

The journey will continue, and the Church will continue to educate her children in the intimacy of Jesus Christ throughout all its instructional rigor and vigor. Let us pray for continual renewal of Catholic education for all and especially for the brave witness of Bishop Robert Finn.

What's in an Oath?

One of the greatest mysteries that exist within the very being of our soul is whether or not, to listen to someone. We as fallible human beings tend to stray in our own path. This phenomenon has been occurring since our first parents felt the need to ignore a Divine decree from God not to eat the fruit from the tree in the midst of the Garden see: (Gen 3:1-8). Thus, from the beginning man has insisted on ignoring the directives of his own creator. We see this practice continue with Cain in (Gen 4) and the wickedness of men in (Gen 6:1-9).
God asks man, because he is created in the image and likeness of God, to obey with a sincere heart and faithfully follow the path being laid before him. Intermittently between these historic events, Noah reveals to us as the first faithful servant who obeys God and forges a covenant with Him. This covenant in many ways reflects an oath of fidelity to the will of the Father. How, he builds an arc as directed by God to continue the lineage of his children, a path of salvation forever linked to the foreshadowing of the “new Adam” the Messiah Jesus Christ.
We see because of Noah’s faithfulness in constructing the arc, after the waters recede in (Gen 8:1-12) God makes a promise (Oath) to Noah that He will “. . . never curse the ground because of man . . .” (Gen 8:21). God blesses Noah for his faithfulness. We can continue with countless encounters throughout Salvation History as revealed to us by our Lord through His Sacred Word e.g. Abraham, Isaac, Jacob etc. but it leads us to a point very prevalent today. Should anyone who teaches in a Catholic school or religious education program be required to make a covenant i.e. sign an oath of fidelity that he/she will demonstrate fidelity to the teachings of the Church?
Is the mere mention of being a Catholic teacher sufficient affirmation to allow the instruction of the faithful? Is there a greater need for clarity to assure fidelity to the Church with one who is Catholic? Unfortunately in today’s current catechetical state, saying your Catholic is not a sufficient means to assure fidelity to the Church’s Magisterium(teaching office) anymore. Too often, we find and here Catholic educators within our Catholic institutions of learning promoting such things contradictory to the faith like abortion, contraception, in-vitro fertilization, cohabitation and I can go on. In the last forty-years, there has been a loss of the sense of obedience. The sense of freedom has been reduced to the “right” to so as I please and perform as I see fit.
The Catechism reminds us: “by faith man completely submits his intellect and his will to God. With his whole being man gives his assent to God, the author of revelation, ‘the obedience of faith’”. (CCC 143) Our responsibility rests on listening to the will of the Father and not our own. Assent to his love will lead us to love others and avoid the love of self. Obey, ob-audire meaning to hear or listen calls us to submit freely to the word that has been heard because it is God himself. (CCC 144) The letter to the Hebrews assists us to recall the importance of faith and obedience: “Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for the conviction of things not seen.” (11:1) Hope rests in the very act of obedience because it is in hope where we as finite creatures surrender ourselves to the will of the Father because we know by our own volition only so much is accomplished. Our free assent, our oath to Christ and his Church cuts to the heart of our catechetical mission to instruct the hearts of the faithful in His love.

Ultimately, it is not the Gospel according to our own disposition. This is contrary to the very fiber of the Deposit of Faith. It is freedom to carry on the love of Christ and His Church for the whole world. Our love must be directed to the love that never ends. (CCC 25)

St. John Bosco A Labor of Love

Anyone who is familiar with St. John Bosco and his famous oratory for boys knew of his profound love for these children. His Preventive system of Reason, Religion and Kindness exhibited a formation of moral character that drew the most downtrodden young man in Turin to his doorsteps seeking the refuge of love. With this note I share the following letter written by St. John Bosco on his labor of love.

"First of all, if we wish to appear concerned about the true happiness of our foster children and if we would move them to fulfill their duties, you must never forget that you are taking the place of the parents of these beloved young people. I have always labored lovingly for them, and carried out my priestly duties with zeal. And the whole Salesian society has done this with me.

My sons, in my long experience very often I had to be convinced of great truth. It is easier to become angry than to restrain oneself, and to threaten a boy that to persuade him. Yes. indeed, it is more fitting to be persistent in punishing our own impatience and pride than to correct the boys. We must be firm but kind, and be patient with them.

I give you as a model the charity of Paul which he showed to this new converts. They often reduced him to tears and entreaties when he found them lacking docility and even opposing his loving efforts. . .

See that no one find you motivated by impetuosity or willfulness. . . Let us regard those boys over whom we have some authority as our own sons. Let us place ourselves in their service. Let us be ashamed to assume an attitude of superiority. Let us not rule over them except for the purpose of serving them better.

This was the method that Jesus used with the apostles. He put up with their ignorance and roughness and even their infidelity. He treated sinners with a kindness and affection that caused some to be shocked, others to be scandalized, and still others to hope for God's mercy. And so he bade us to be gentle and humble of heart. They are our sons, and so in correcting their mistakes we must lay aside all anger and restrain it so firmly that it is extinguished entirely. There must be no hostility in our minds, no contempt in our eyes, no insult on our lips. We must use mercy for the present and have hope for the future, as is fitting for true fathers who are eager for real correction and improvement.

Catholic Schools Week

THE AUTHENTIC LEADERSHIP OF A CATHOLIC SCHOOL EDUCATOR

The role of being a Catholic educational leader is very distinct as compared to a secular education leader. The reason being, the Catholic educational leader must direct his/her action toward Jesus Christ. Understanding this crucial point differentiates the position of both educational leaders.

In Catholic education as a whole there is a term used to describe the primary emphasis of instruction within a Catholic School environment as expressed in the General Directory for Catechesis. This term called (catechesis) means the authentic instruction of the faith centered on Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ is the Word that became flesh through the Divine Will of the Father.

The mission of catechesis has been practiced from the moment Christ was born. As part of the Church community the Catholic educational leader holds a responsibility not only to immerse him or herself in the Catholic faith, but teach it to all who will listen. The ministry of catechesis serves the Church in a decisive mission. This teaching first and foremost is passed on through the Apostles (the first trained Catholic Educators) and their successors, the Bishops of the Catholic Church. The moment of catechesis is that which corresponds to the period in which conversion to Jesus Christ is formalized, and provides a basis for first adhering to him. (GDC 63)

Quite early on, the name catechesis was given to the totality of the Church’s effort to make disciples, to help men believe that Jesus is the Son of God so that believing they might have life in His name, and to educate and instruct them in this life, building up the body of Christ. (CCC 4, Catechesis In Our Time 1;2)

It is in this totality that the Catholic Educational leader as stated in the General Directory for Catechesis and To Teach As Jesus Did must present a complete authentic instruction of the faith, faithful to the teachings of the Catholic Church so that the fruits of the Church may not go unnoticed or unpracticed. This task of catechesis, then, must be carried out under the guidance of the Church, whose duty it is to safeguard the truth of the divine message, and to watch that this ministry of the Word uses appropriate forms of speaking, while prudently considering the help which theological research and human science can give (General Catechetical Directory 38 and National Catechetical Directory 47). The Bishop holds the primary position of authority over programs of catechesis (Ibid 47).

The educational mission of the Church is an integrated ministry embracing three interlocking dimensions: the message revealed by God (didache) which the church proclaims; fellowship in the life of the Holy Spirit (koinonia), service to the Christian Community and to the entire human community (diakonia). While these three essential elements can be separated for the sake of analysis, they are joined in the one educational ministry (Teach As Jesus Did 14).

Catholic Educators are co-operators with Christ the Teacher. Their responsibility lies in creating a true Catholic environment for all children. This Catholic ethos rests on the use of Sacred Scripture and the Catechism of the Catholic Church. Both serve and establish a symphony of the faith rooted in the Blessed Trinity. The Trinity is central to all Christian understanding. It is the pillar of catechesis.

In conclusion a final point of emphasis for the Catholic Educational leader is expressed in the church document entitled The Religious Dimension of Education in a Catholic School where it in discusses the importance of climate; from the first moment that a student sets foot in a Catholic School, he or she ought to have the impression of entering a new environment, one illumined by the light of faith, and having its own unique characteristics. (25) The Catholic Educational Leader is called forth to exhibit a leadership that is distinctively Catholic in every fiber of a Catholic school.