Presents research and survey conclusions on the future of Catholic schools. Addresses the main trends in Catholic schools, priorities for Catholic education, identifying characteristics of future Catholic schools, main problems to be faced, and the role of priests, religion, and laity in the schools. (DMM)

Seven catechetical theorists and practitioners (Alfred McBride, Berard L. Marthaler, Dan Keller, Mary Ann Johnston, Eileen Loughran, Matt Hayes, and Mike Carotta) discuss the significance of the new "Cathechism of the Catholic Church," which replaces the "Cathechism of the Council of Trent" -- the official catechism of the…

Contends that to help children grow up to be people of faith, both parishes and parents have to do more than what was done in past generations. Emphasizes the importance of family catechesis--both the informal catechesis that happens in the home and the formal catechesis that parishes plan and facilitate. (VWC)

Highlights changes in the Catholic church over the past few decades that have broadened Catholic culture and made it more ambiguous for young Catholics. Describes ways to reach out to youth and involve them in social projects, volunteer ministries, religion teaching, nursing home visits, parish councils, choirs, and liturgical functions. (MAB)

Parish religious education programs for children and young people are examined with emphasis on how these programs are administered and operated, how students evaluate them, and what organizational and program factors are characteristic of particularly effective programs. Nominations for effective programs were solicited from 83 dioceses, and 258…

Describes the methods and tools used by the Office of Religious Education of the Diocese of Worcester to help parishes improve the quality of their programs through long-term planning. Explains the parish visitation process. (DMM)

Urges Catholic educators to view students within the context of their family and other social relationships and to use family relationships as a criterion to assess the impact of policies, programs, and services. Considers ways educators can gather more complete information about parish families. (DMM)

Describes a seminar in adult education held by Dr. Alan Knox, Professor of Adult Education, Teachers College, Columbia University, at the Immaculate Conception Seminary in Huntington, Long Island. The objective was to increase the participants' competence in the development of informal educational programs for adults. (Author/DR)

Suggests that one place parents can find helpful resources to aid in the faith formation of their children is the parish community. Presents some models that can be used to prepare for faith events, which depend most often on the makeup and vision of each parish community. (VWC)

A survey of Roman Catholic bishops (N=276; total population) and priests (N=655; random sample) on the purpose, effectiveness, and administration of parish religious education programs revealed a broad range of opinion. The respondents were almost unanimous in stating that such programs help people grow in faith into mature adult Christians; that…

Part of a larger study entitled "The Church's Expanding Role in Adult Education," this paper is concerned with the Roman Catholic Church's efforts in the adult education movement. Divided into 3 parts, this background study begins with an historical review of the church's and church-related institutions' contributions to the adult…

Analyzes and contrasts a number of Roman Catholic documents, published in the United States and foreign countries, emphasizing theological themes which are presented as central to adult religious education. Focuses on the tension between church authority and adult education principles. Concludes that the optimism of the documents is diminished by…

Examines the religious educator's role as catalyst in transforming local church culture. Proposes model of congregational education aiming to change the corporate life of a religious community through members' work to reshape concrete behaviors, structures, and roles in carrying out the church's mission. Notes the range of skills required of…

Narrates the NCEA Seminary Department's 100-year history. States that during the last quarter of this century, seminaries have become increasingly attuned to the roles of women and lay deacons in study and ministry, the needs of Hispanics and other minority groups, and a variety of psychosexual considerations. (VWC)

Presents the parish programs at the Prince of Peace Catholic Community in Plano, Texas and at the Holy Family Parish Community in Inverness, Illinois as examples of what can be accomplished when imaginative, inspired, and knowledgeable teachers take on family catechesis as their mission. (VWC)