As “Keeping the Faith: The Future of Catholic Elementary Schools” continues to unfold, additional constituencies will be invited to participate in listening sessions across the Catholic Diocese of Cleveland.
Four more sessions are scheduled for January: three in person and one virtual. In-person sessions will be 6:30-8 p.m. on the following Wednesdays at these locations:
- Jan. 5, 2022, Seton Catholic School, 6923 Stow Road, Hudson
- Jan. 12, 2022, Lake Catholic High School, 6733 Reynolds Road, Mentor
- Jan. 19, 2022, Magnificat High School, 20770 Hilliard Blvd., Rocky River.
No registration is necessary to attend the in-person sessions.
A link will be announced soon for the virtual session, 6:30-8 p.m. Jan. 26.
“We want to hear from as many people as possible,” said Father John Betters, pastor of SS. Robert and William and St. John of the Cross parishes in Euclid, who is leading the initiative. It was launched during Catholic Schools Week in 2020 by Bishop Edward Malesic to create a strategic plan for the future of Catholic elementary schools.
In addition to Father Betters, the 60-member task force includes Frank O’Linn, superintendent of schools; members of the bishop’s senior staff and experts in the field of education. Six subcommittees have been studying are Catholic identity and quality; academic quality; finance; governance; leadership and talent; data systems and marketing and communications. They prepared some suggested change ideas which are being shared and discussed during the listening sessions.
The most recent listening session – which included parish, pastoral and finance council members – took place Dec. 4. About 80 people attended. It was hosted by Church of the Assumption in Broadview Heights. Attendees heard from Bishop Malesic, Father Betters, O’Linn, superintendent of schools, and Tracey Arnone, associate superintendent of schools.
The bishop outlined his reasons for creating the initiative, saying the goal is to create a vibrant Catholic school system that is affordable and accessible to every family in the diocese who desires a Catholic education for their children. The ideas presented at the listening session focus on strong mission, multiple models, subsidiarity, parish and diocesan support, parental choice and innovation.
“The time is now for us to rise to the challenge ahead and together create a path forward that will not only strengthen our schools, but revitalize our parishes and diocesan Church, as well. I have every confidence that we can do this under the guidance of our Lord, Jesus Christ,” the bishop said, adding that Catholic schools “are a treasure. Never lose sight of this.” The bishop also emphasized that Catholic schools are one of the most important things we do as a Church. “We must be open to new and bold approaches to respond to the challenges of this time,” he added.
Father Betters said there is much energy behind the initiative and he urged the group to look at it strategically, emphasizing that the points being shared at the listening sessions are only proposals at this time and input is needed to recognize the challenges and benefits of the ideas.
After receiving the task force’s recommendations, the bishop will review them with additional consultation to determine his priorities for implementation. Although focused on elementary schools, the plan also could help strengthen Catholic high schools in the diocese as well as parish schools of religion, youth ministry and adult faith formation programs.
There are 87 Catholic elementary schools and 20 Catholic high schools in the Cleveland Diocese that educate about 38,000 students.
Click here to learn more about Keeping the Faith.