Ten exemplary program descriptions arose from the 1998 conference hosted by Selected Programs for Improving Catholic Education (SPICE), an organization created to assist Catholic school leaders to choose and replicate programs that successfully meet the needs of the contemporary Catholic school. Chapter 1 provides an overview of the annual meeting, and chapter 2 describes the 10 programs, their goals, activities, and issues of implementation and adaptation. Chapter three offers an overview of the current fiscal state of schools and their chances for survival. Chapter four discusses funding opportunities from the government and corporate sources. Chapter five describes successful school-based institutional advancement efforts. Chapter six highlights perspectives of the philanthropic community particularly organizations with special interests in church-related schools. Chapter seven examines the impending teacher shortage in the United States and its impact on Catholic schools. Chapter eight focuses on the role of the school and diocesan boards, commissions, and councils in financing and resourcing Catholic schools. Chapter nine looks at the need to maintain a spiritual focus in the midst of fiscal concerns. Chapter ten offers perspectives from a panel of five diocesan superintendents on crucial issues of financing and resourcing. Contains an overview of Peter Lynch's keynote address at the 1998 Conversations in Excellence conference. (RJM)