2008 Woodie Awards
With regards to Catholic teachings, America's Catholic schools fall short
MaryAnne McElroy
Issue date: 4/1/08 Section: Opinion
Over Easter Break a friend of mine asked me why I was going to church on Good Friday. She had wanted to go shopping or see a movie and was shocked when I said that I had to go to church.
Now, I would not expect the average person off the street to know about all the traditions of the Catholic Church during Holy Week, let alone what Holy Week is.
But what strikes me about this incident is that my friend has attended a Catholic private school her whole life and is now enrolled in a Jesuit university; thousands and thousands of dollars have been spent with the intent of receiving a uniquely Catholic education and my friend has no clue that there is a special service on Good Friday at all churches to celebrate the death of Christ.
I use this example of one friend's ignorance not as a personal attack, but to illustrate a phenomenon that I perceive among the Catholic schools of America -- they are not Catholic.
This perception comes partially from my own experience as a long time plaid skirt, knee sock-wearing Catholic school girl. In high school we learned all about Buddhist spirituality, studied the Old Testament in depth and had great ethical debates. I can't remember ever learning about what, exactly, is the Church's stance on sexuality or why we don't eat meat on Fridays. Not only was Catholicism lacking from our Catholic education, our classrooms had no crosses and the one cross that was in the school-in the chapel-was replaced with a quilt that the kindergarteners had made. Yes, maybe my Catholic high school was unusually lacking in Catholicism but I don't believe that such instances of identity rejection are isolated.
Next week Pope Benedict XVI will make a stop at nearby Catholic University to give a speech on the state of Catholic schools in America, which I expect will hit close to home.
His speech will address the concerns of many who are upset with occurrences such as Holy Cross' hosting of pro-abortion Planned Parenthood rallies, or the University of Notre Dame's participation in v-day, "Vagina Monologue" activities.
Now, I would not expect the average person off the street to know about all the traditions of the Catholic Church during Holy Week, let alone what Holy Week is.
But what strikes me about this incident is that my friend has attended a Catholic private school her whole life and is now enrolled in a Jesuit university; thousands and thousands of dollars have been spent with the intent of receiving a uniquely Catholic education and my friend has no clue that there is a special service on Good Friday at all churches to celebrate the death of Christ.
I use this example of one friend's ignorance not as a personal attack, but to illustrate a phenomenon that I perceive among the Catholic schools of America -- they are not Catholic.
This perception comes partially from my own experience as a long time plaid skirt, knee sock-wearing Catholic school girl. In high school we learned all about Buddhist spirituality, studied the Old Testament in depth and had great ethical debates. I can't remember ever learning about what, exactly, is the Church's stance on sexuality or why we don't eat meat on Fridays. Not only was Catholicism lacking from our Catholic education, our classrooms had no crosses and the one cross that was in the school-in the chapel-was replaced with a quilt that the kindergarteners had made. Yes, maybe my Catholic high school was unusually lacking in Catholicism but I don't believe that such instances of identity rejection are isolated.
Next week Pope Benedict XVI will make a stop at nearby Catholic University to give a speech on the state of Catholic schools in America, which I expect will hit close to home.
His speech will address the concerns of many who are upset with occurrences such as Holy Cross' hosting of pro-abortion Planned Parenthood rallies, or the University of Notre Dame's participation in v-day, "Vagina Monologue" activities.
Viewing Comments 1 - 4 of 4
A Monette
posted 4/01/08 @ 1:36 AM EST
The problem with Catholic schools in America is so much that they're pseudo-catholic or jesuitic, but the fact that they're too American.
*How many Americans know what the capital of Iraq is ?
*How many Americans can name the president of Italy ?
*How many Americans can name five or six Popes ?
*How many Americans know the names of the principal Founding Fathers ?
While schools are often very good at teaching special skills and ideologies, currently there is problem with the state of general knowledge in our schools. (Continued…)
Jaci Guzzo
posted 4/01/08 @ 8:55 AM EST
Excellent article. You get it. The fact that you are a college student gives me hope.
NYer
posted 4/01/08 @ 11:50 AM EST
Catholic education begins with the parents and in the home. Faith must first be lived; education follows. Obviously your friend had never been taken to Good Friday services by any member of her family. (Continued…)
Thomas Landingham
posted 4/01/08 @ 6:03 PM EST
Ms McElroy clearly understands the material she is discussing. It would be wise for Loyola to take a hint from Ms. McElroy's thorough critique.
I fear Ms. (Continued…)
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