The Culture Of Catholic Schools

Study which examines research conducted in Catholic schools in 1972, 1982 and 1990. Describes the culture of the schools in terms of the core beliefs, values, traditions and patterns of behaviour which give meaning to the school communities. Presents the responses of students, parents and teachers, and explores the religious and educational influence of Catholic education. Indexed. The author is a senior lecturer in the department of religious education, Australian Catholic University, NSW.

To reclaim the cultural 'piazza' the Christian message must be attractive, reasonable and relevant. This volume aims to show how Catholic education can contribute to the new evangelisation in the rapidly evolving cultural landscape of the 21st century. What is a Catholic culture for today? How should it relate to prevailing cultural trends? How can Catholics engage and evangelise in a way that respects others' beliefs and values? This book offers unique insights into how Catholic education can enrich the culture of the pluralist society. Drawing on the insights and ideas of the Italian Church's Cultural Project (for the first time in the English language), the book offers ideas and reflections to all who care about Catholic education and culture and who want to share the life-giving content of the Christian message with those at the peripheries of belief, understanding and familiarity with the Christian worldview. With insights from school and university educators and professional communicators this wide-ranging, up-to-date and practical call for a new engagement between Catholics and representatives of secular culture will have a wide appeal.

Archbishop J. Michael Miller distills the Church's teachings on Catholic education and explains the five marks of all good Catholic schools.

First published in 2004. Routledge is an imprint of Taylor & Francis, an informa company.

In this ground-breaking book, Gerald Grace addresses the dilemmas facing Catholic education in an increasingly secular and consumer-driven culture. The book combines an original theoretical framework with research drawn from interviews with sixty Catholic secondary head teachers from deprived urban areas. Issues discussed include: *Catholic meanings of academic success *tensions between market values and Catholic values *threats to the mission integrity of Catholic schools *the spiritual, moral and social justice commitments of contemporary Catholic schools This book will be equally useful to leaders of Catholic and other schools and to all those interested in values and leadership in schooling.

The author offers his opinion on what he calls the brainwashing of children attending Catholic parochial schools.