Category: Catholic School Matters

Research projects such as Catholic Schools and the Common Good and Lost Classroom, Lost Community reveal that the strength of Catholic schools is the community.  Church documents as far back as Declaration on Christian Education, point to schools as faith communities, not simply institutions.  But how do we intentionally build community? At St. Matthew’s Catholic […]

This year, our school administrators are reading Redeeming Administration by Dr. Ann Garrido, a former podcast guest.  In the last chapter on reflection, she challenges administrators to be thoughtfully responsive, not immediately reactive.  In the immediate aftermath of Parkland, I resisted the urge to throw up some links and react to the tragedy.  This is my attempt to […]

This week’s issue focuses on school shooting—understanding the phenomenon, tips for making schools safer physically and emotionally, and examining gun control legislation.  My top 5: “The Daily” podcast from March 5th from the NY Times.  It’s a heartbreaking but incredibly insightful 20 minute podcast with Parkland survivors. Jessica Lahey (author of Gift of Failure and […]

For decades, Catholic schools have seen dropping enrollments in the face of demographic challenges—namely, smaller Catholic families and shifting populations.  When confronted with new realities, some schools double down on their past practices (looking for a new group of teaching sisters, for example, or making more presentations at their parish Masses).  Often, those efforts fail […]

This is the third week of New School podcasts.  I’ll highlight these podcasts but I’ve also included a lot of great articles on school communication in this issue.  Last week, I highlighted Frassati Catholic Academy in Denver on Monday.  On Tuesday, I focused on Pope Francis HS in Springfield, Massachusetts.  Wednesday, it was the new […]

Last week, I launched the New Catholic Schools series–15 podcasts in all focusing on new construction and new developments in Catholic Schools.  It’s important that we recognize that there are places where Catholic schools are expanding and thriving.  Last week’s podcasts included the stories behind St. Michael’s HS outside Mobile, St. Eliz Ann Seton HS in South Carolina, St. […]

Last week I wrapped up the Turnaround podcast series.  I initially recorded 10 episodes but ended up adding three additional schools (All Saints in Omaha, St. Jerome’s in Maryland, and Mt. St. Mary HS in Oklahoma City) who contacted me to share their great stories.  This week, I turn my attention to new Catholic schools.  […]

This is Week 2 of the Turnaround Series.  I had recorded 5 turnaround stories but last week I was contacted by two more schools who wanted to be included. So this week I’m presenting seven turnaround stories! The challenge to all our Catholic schools is to keep the momentum going after Catholic Schools Week. Keep […]

Last week, we were greeted with the dispiriting news that the Jubilee Network Schools in Memphis was disbanding and closing the doors of its 9 inner-city schools.  Catholic schools will now have 1,500 less students.  Instead of dwelling on this news, it’s time to focus our attention on schools which have bucked the national trend […]

Today’s guest bloggers are Fr. Ronny O’Dwyer of SLU and Kristin Melley of BC for the Catholic School Matters podcast series on Educating Together in Catholic Schools: A Shared Mission Between Consecrated Persons and the Lay Faithful, the 2007 Vatican Document from the Congregation for Catholic Education.  The podcast conversationbetween Dr. Tim Uhl and Kristin Melley, the Director of […]