Summarizes pedagogical innovations and the emergence of a social justice mission within the Catholic school system. The authors present a thorough historical review of the American Catholic school philosophy including dates, key figures, and the political and social contexts that framed these educational developments. (Contains 30 references.) (RC)

Provides the text of the National Catholic Educational Association Statement on Child Abuse. This document, titled A Sacred Trust: The Safety of Our Children, was generated in response to the growing number of both confirmed and alleged cases of pedophilia and sexual abuse within the Catholic Church. (RC)

Provides the text for United States Conference of Catholic Bishops Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People. This document is part of a special collection of resources in the journal that address sexual abuse and the growing number of both confirmed and alleged cases of pedophilia and sexual abuse within the Catholic Church. (RC)

Offers a personal reflection on the beliefs, assumptions and values associated with the baptismal catechumenal process, the initiation process into the church. Outlines a series of actions that are influenced by these core ideas. Examples include designing catechetichical programs to accommodate a variety of spiritual needs at many levels and…

Discusses various meeting points between student and teacher, focusing on academic, moral, and affective relationships. (DMM)

Offers a model of leadership for Catholic schools that views the educational leader as mentor, facilitator or enabler, and visionary. Discusses the qualities of effective leadership inherent in these images and their relationship to the specific mission of the Catholic school. (DMM)

Describes the efforts of the United States Catholic Conference (USCC) to provide a coherent, national vision for Catholic education and catechetics. Focuses on the USCC's efforts to support tax relief for Catholic education, monitor proposed legislation, and collaborate with other national, Catholic, and professional organizations. (DMM)

Urges Catholic educators to develop a crisis communication plan to ensure that all communication with the press and public is handled promptly and thoroughly by a designated spokesperson. Describes workshops which simulate real-life challenges as a means of testing crisis management plans. Offers guidelines for the development of a crisis…

Describes an interdisciplinary research effort being undertaken by the University of Dayton (Ohio) to identify successful diocesan models of educational collaboration, focusing on San Jose, California; Indianapolis, Indiana; Covington, Kentucky; Toledo, Ohio; and Erie, Pennsylvania. (DMM)

Addresses the effects of the spread of the Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) on Catholic schools and communities. Discusses the goals and federally recommended content of AIDS education. Considers ways to include AIDS education in Catholic school curricula. (DMM)

Offers a brief history of Louisiana, highlighting the establishment of Catholic schools by missionaries before the development of public schools. Covers the French and Spanish, and Black Catholics in Louisiana, the Code Noir and the missionary church, the beginning of public schooling, north Louisianan schools, and the civil war. (DMM)

Seven catechetical theorists and practitioners (Alfred McBride, Berard L. Marthaler, Dan Keller, Mary Ann Johnston, Eileen Loughran, Matt Hayes, and Mike Carotta) discuss the significance of the new "Cathechism of the Catholic Church," which replaces the "Cathechism of the Council of Trent" -- the official catechism of the…

Addresses the changing nature of Catholic schools, emphasizing, however, the core beliefs of Catholicism that have remained the same throughout. Focuses on the implementation by Catholic schools of three goals: enthusiasm, invitation, and witness of Catholicism. (YKH)

States that, in Catholic schools, the Gospel mission--teaching the Gospel of Jesus to students--should be present in all aspects of the athletic experience. Asserts that encouraging participation in athletics, developing a moral-based athletic program, and properly supervising sports teams are all key elements in the excellence of Catholic…

Interviews Father James Walsh, former director of the National Catholic Education Association's (NCEA) seminary department. Contends that he greatly increased the NCEA's outreach to seminaries through his publications and other work. States that Father Walsh left the organization to become a pastor, and is now editor of Grace Under Pressure, which…