As work continues on the Keeping the Faith initiative, a strategic plan for strengthening Catholic schools in the Diocese of Cleveland, Bishop Edward Malesic was among those who addressed a gathering of pastors, business managers and elementary school principals. They met Jan. 8 at Assumption Academy in Broadview Heights.
The initiative, which began with an ad hoc “think tank” in 2019, launched in 2021 with a series of listening sessions. The purpose of KTF is to strengthen Catholic education to keep “irresistibly Catholic, academically excellent, operationally sound and geographically accessible schools where demand exists.” There are 27 strategic goals in six areas of focus: Catholic identity, academic excellence, leadership and talent, finance, governance and marketing.
Bishop Edward Malesic addressed the approximately 200 attendees to provide an update on the plan and to review some of the challenges facing the schools.
“We are all on the same team and sing from the same hymnal,” he reminded the group. “We are one Church, one diocese and one faith serving one Lord. We are in this together.”
In alignment with the plan, he said each of the 185 parishes in the diocese is to be connected with a school, even if there is no parish school.
“We must listen to the Spirit who speaks to us together and be mindful of why we do what we don,” the bishop said, emphasizing one of his common statements that “Catholic schools are our largest youth ministry.” He said the schools – as a major part of youth ministry – are serving the young Church. “And they are hungry,” he added.
Collaboration is a key component to the plan’s success, Bishop Malesic said, noting two speakers would speak to that from their perspectives later in the day: Father Lukas Laniauskas, SJ, pastor of Church of the Gesu in University Heights, and a team from St. Barnabas Parish and School in Northfield.
He also emphasized that the diocesan staff is ready, willing and able to assist the parishes and schools. “We should be of service to work with you,” he added.
Father Laniauskas, a son of the diocese who is a member of the Society of Jesus, said he was thrilled to be working in his home diocese. As the pastor of a large, suburban parish with a robust school, he said there are challenges. “I wear a variety of hats and deal with a plethora of issues. What can I bring to the table? The Ignatian spirituality,” he said, noting St. Ignatius of Loyola lived at a time when there were many challenges in the Church.
“Find your passion,” he advised the group. “Why am I doing this? If you forget that, the passion wanes and the crisis can take over.” He recommended three things: prayer, team and discernment to keep on the right path.
Father Laniauskas said he takes time for prayer daily, noting all he does is “God centric. We believe in a living, breathing God and he will help us make good decisions.”
Regarding the team, he said he is blessed with “a rock star principal and a great business manager. It’s not I, but us – even though as pastor I have to make decisions. The truth is, we have a team and must lean on each other to navigate a crisis.”
Father Laniauskas said the third key, discerning, is important because each team member should have the same priorities. “My fire is your fire. The truth is, we need to take time to make good decisions.”
The group took time for some table discussion before hearing from Frank O’Linn, superintendent of schools, and Jim Gulick, diocesan chief finance officer.
O’Linn updated attendees on state scholarship funds, noting the schools are receiving more per pupil this year – slightly more than $6,100 each – thanks to passage of the two-year state budget last spring. In addition to providing more money per pupil, the Angel Scholarship Fund continues. That initiative allows taxpayers to dedicate a portion of their income tax funds to the schools. During the inaugural year, the diocesan schools netted about $4.5 million dollars from ASF. So far for this school year, $5.2 million has been earmarked for the schools.
“Educating our stakeholders is important,” O’Linn said, noting ASF does not cost a taxpayer anything yet it benefits the schools.
He also credited generous benefactors in the diocese who support the Fund a Dream initiative, which awards $2,500 to students in order to help fill tuition funding gaps.
Gulick also recapped the impact of #weGIVECATHOLIC, the online day of fundraising schools, parishes and other nonprofits could participate in on Giving Tuesday, which was Nov. 28, 2023. He said 82 schools raised $1.8 million in the most recent event.
In addition, Gulick discussed the need to ensure teacher salaries are reasonable and that all resources for student funding are used. “Don’t leave any money on the table,” he said.
He also talked briefly about the facilities studies that will be done at no cost to the parish or school to update them on the condition of the campus and what improvements might be needed in order to allow for budgeting to pay for those items.
Tracey Arnone, associate superintendent of schools, led a panel discussion with Father James Kulway, St. Barnabas pastor, Erin Faentinini, principal, and Mike Arko, business manager.
They talked about the school enrollment, which is up 5% over the past six years and their 98% teacher retention rate, which Arnone said indicate a healthy school.
Father Kulway echoed Father Laniauskas’ comments about meeting regularly with the leadership team and staff. He and Faentinini meet daily, he said, and he is present on the grounds to greet and interact regularly with students and the school community.
Arko said when he goes on vacation or visits another parish; he seeks information about their best practices in order to pick up ideas that could be adapted at St. Barnabas.
Faentinini said having fun is critical to having a healthy school community. She noted the staff tries to gather periodically outside of school for some relaxation, fun and bonding.
“It’s easy to be negative toward a school,” Father Kulway said, adding, “I choose to see it as an opportunity to build relationships with our families and to bring people closer to Christ.”
“Think of the blessings, the talent, the experience and formation we have in this room. Our schools are a great blessing,” Bishop Malesic said. “Be good stewards of the opportunities we’ve been giving and give back. We have been blessed and have much to give back in order to educate our young people.”
