Part of a six volume series of theme papers commissioned for the National Congress on Catholic Schools for the 21st century, November 6-10, 1991, two papers are included in this volume. In "The Catholic School and the Common Good," John Coons has two objectives: (1) to describe the secular and religious roles of the Catholic school within the historical and contemporary economy of U.S. education; and (2) to consider the social wisdom of providing all families the opportunity to choose among the range of government and private schools, including religious schools. In "Non-Public Schools and Public Policy: The Past, the Present, and Perhaps, the Future," Frank J. Monahan questions public financial assistance for non-public elementary and secondary education. (KM)