Defining Our Terms: Catholic Identity in Our Catholic Schools

We hear the term "Catholic identity" often. Mark Salisbury, diocesan superintendent of schools, sheds some light on the term in the context of our mission as educators:

All of us have taken classes where our teacher made sure that we defined our terms. The thinking being that if we define our terms we can have an intelligent discussion about how that term is to be used given the subject matter we are engaged in. Certainly, we see in an election year it is extremely important that terms be well defined so that we can compare apples to apples on the candidates viewpoints.

In our Catholic schools one of the important terms to define is Catholic identity. Catholic school leaders across our diocese spent last year coming to a common definition of what Catholic identity means in our schools. Below, I’ll share some highlights from our definition of Catholic Identity in our Catholic Schools in The Diocese of Green Bay.

The first point is that our Catholic Identity is at the foundation of a Catholic school. It is our reason for existence. The Gospel of Christ and his very person are therefore to inspire and guide the Catholic school in its every dimension, its philosophy of education, curriculum, community life, the selection and ongoing formation of its teachers and staff, and its physical environment.

Also, our Catholic schools find their true justification in the mission of the Church; therefore our schools foundations are based on an educational philosophy in which faith, culture, and life are brought into harmony. And further, the schools governing body, policies and documents and its management practices reflect the Catholic mission and philosophy of the school. Our schools leadership teams, faculty and staff know, support and model the teachings of the Church.

During childhood and adolescence a student in our schools experiences personal relations with outstanding Catholic educators. What is taught has greater influence on the student’s formation when placed in the context of personal involvement on the part of the teacher and when there is coherence of the teacher’s attitudes and lifestyle in day-to-day behavior to what is being taught. Therefore, we expect our teachers to be true witnesses to Christ.

In our Catholic Schools intellectual development and growth as a Christian go forward hand-in-hand. As students move up from one class into the next we help our students become aware that a relationship exists between faith and human culture. The world of human culture and the world of religion are not like two parallel lines that never meet; points of contact are established within the human person. Therefore, in writing and delivering the curriculum in all disciplines, our teachers constantly search for contact points between faith and human culture.

Our schools actively promote faith to action service and social justice experiences as integral elements within the life of the school. We are confident our graduates will be prepared to enrich society with the leaven of the Gospel.

Because of their identity and ecclesial roots, our Catholic schools are Christian communities, that is, communities of faith. We work to nourish a living relationship with Christ and with the local Church. Therefore the school community is a faith community that nurtures the spiritual lives of their students, families, faculty and all that come in contact with the school and bonds them to the ecclesial community. A variety of opportunities are available for the entire school community to worship and pray together.

Catholic schools are welcoming, inclusive and safe for all who enter the facilities.

As you can see from the above definition of what Catholic identity means in our Catholic Schools, we are very proud of our principals, teachers, staff, parents, parishioners and pastors for sustaining schools where our Catholic Identity is a strong lived reality.