Describes the merging of a school for students with special needs with a nearby Catholic high school. States that the Best Buddies program pairs a high school student with a special needs student in a mentoring type of relationship. Reports that this school-within-a-school program has been so successful that the archdiocese is expanding the…

Describes the incorporation of family-systems theory into the catechetical process by Blessed Sacrament/St. Charles Borromeo Church. This approach recognizes the role of the family in this area. Faith formation is holistic and simultaneously addresses the main areas of faith development and the context of an individual's life. Thus, family…

For Catholic educators, the Jubilee Year 2000 brings a valuable opportunity to help students deepen their understanding of their faith and reflect on what it means to be a follower of Jesus in a new millennium. Provides various suggestions that may help Catholic educators take this opportunity and share this important tradition. (VWC)

Discusses how to identify a school's core values and culture. Asserts that it is the allocation of resources, not the mission statement, that reveals most about what a school deems important. States that administrators must go beyond what is outlined in the mission, paying attention to where the school places its money, and re-align its actions…

Discusses the role of the Catholic parish in forming the character of its youth, asserting that vibrant communities of faith can form Catholic character and values that will survive any threat from society. Presents a formula for success in this endeavor, which includes: (1) good liturgy; (2) democratic leadership; (3) lifelong religious education…

Asserts that the unique nature of Catholic schools--their small student-to-teacher ratio, autonomy over their buildings and grounds, the dress code, and parent involvement--helps prevent such events as the Columbine High School slayings from occurring. Urges Catholic schools not to become complacent, however, and continue to use these advantages…

Describes the creation of the catechetical document, The Catechist in the Third Millennium: Call, Mission, and Formation, which addresses the new urgency and concern for both the quality of catechesis and those who are called to this ministry. Discusses challenges identified in the document and relates the enthusiasm for implementing a new vision.…

This publication provides a framework for spiritual leadership and mutual support for and among Catholic school administrators. The group sessions, written by Catholic school administrators, focus on a theme or season to pray, share, celebrate, relax, and show support for one another. Each section presents sample formats for a gathering, including…

This volume is a record of discussions held at an invitational symposium that explored the major issues and challenges that face the catechetical ministry. The theme of this event was one of partnership and collaboration. The following presentations were made: (1) "Catechesis: An Ecclesial Ministry" (P. Laghi); (2) "Bishops Concerns…

The Christian Brother organization, faced with a decreasing number of workers and forced to reassess the allocation of its resources, conducted a survey of its members. The survey solicited the brothers' views of the organization's direction and sought to discern whether the brothers' beliefs and actions were in agreement. The survey, with 93…

The second in a set of five publications on the educational "ministry," this document is a plan book intended to help Catholic school teachers in their dual role of educating students in academic matters and increasing students' faith in the Catholic doctrine. A brief paper, "The Teacher as Minister," by Dr. Elinor Ford, is presented that claims…

An interview with Monsignor James Feeney of the Archdiocese of New York City, conducted by "Instructor editor, Elizabeth F. Noon.

The Catholic educational system of the New York Archdiocese has emerged through a series of crises and conflicts to become one of the most extensive educational systems in the country. It initially gained a foothold in New York during the administrations of the first three bishops of New York and expanded under Archbishop John Hughes. Hughes, at…

The author states that the survival of Catholic colleges lies in their ability to offer the best of the academic world within the context of a perceptible and convincing Christian community. (Author)

Designed to improve Catholic religious education for children and adults with mental retardation, this 22-minute videotape discusses how people learn, how children with mental retardation learn, and techniques for teaching religion and religious practice to students with mental retardation. (CR)