Catholic Identity and Mission Archdiocese of Chicago Office of Catholic Schools Team Julie Welborn, Director Esther S. Hicks, Assistant Director Sr. Rosemary Hickmann, OP, Assistant Director

Contact Information Julie Welborn fax Esther S. Hicks Sr. Rosemary Hickmann, OP

Lion King Clip We meet our students at particular point in their lives We help them ask the questions We journey with them to find the answers or not We invite them to follow us* We help them harder – we help to see what they cannot We give them the information to help them find answers We help them to remember We point them in the direction of God We create opportunities for them the encounter God We allow the Holy Spirit in to hover and reveal

Who Do You Say I Am?

Strategic Plan Catholicity Goal To fully form the minds and hearts of Catholic children in their faith, promote family engagement and practice of the faith, and instill virtues essential to responsible participation in society in all students regardless of their religious backgrounds. Taken from: Archdiocese of Chicago Board of Catholic Schools Strategic Plan for Catholic Schools

Over nearly 20% of Catholic school students are not Catholic, but they also benefit from a school experience that models a virtuous life.

Catechesis for Catholic School Leaders – Your Role You are the chief catechist in your school (“one who echoes”) You set the tone in your school You create atmospheres where God's presence is evident You ensure that the message is transmitted via word/works You help others to live what they believe You help recall what God has done in the past You make the connections to life today where God’s plan unfolds

Prayer Rejoice in the Lord always. I will shall say it again: rejoice! Your kindness should be known to all. The Lord is near. Have no anxiety at all, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, make your requests known to God. Then the peace of God, that surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is pleasing, whatever is lovely, whatever is gracious, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. Keep on doing what you have learned and received and heard and seen in me. Then the God of peace will be with you. Philippians 4:4-9

Pillar Theology Requirements For all teachers Catholic & Non Catholic to learn the common language of the church Pillars Scripture and Tradition - Revelation Profession of Faith – Creed Liturgy, Sacraments and Prayer Catholic Morality – Life in Christ

Certification Process For Catholic teachers who teach religion Pillars Application Catechetical Day of Reflection Certification Ceremony (June) ***Only Catholic faculty to teach religion classes ***AOC requires re-certification every five years

Faith Formation for all Teachers 2 days required annually Chicago Catechetical Conference ( October 17-18, 2014) Faculty Retreats – Days of Reflections Religion Textbook publishers workshops OCS and OFCYM workshops and retreats Other institutional partnerships: Catholic universities, agencies, retreat centers Interreligious partnerships: ADL, JUF, CCIRL, etc.

Principals as Coordinator of Religious Education Principals engage in a process of formation Provided by AOC To acquire the theological foundation required for catechetical leadership To develop ministerial competencies in the skills of catechetical leadership Credentials Credibility Process approved by U.S.C.C.B.

Data Pillar Theology Courses Attendees 6801,1201,4701,2201,136 Initial Certifications Certified CREs Chicago Catechetical Conference 03, Anti-racism Training

Data Analysis Since 2007, number of initially certified catechist teachers/principals went from -10 to nearly 1,600 as of 2014 More teachers are actively involved with ongoing formation since 2007 when programs became organized centrally through OCS, OFCYM, USML In reading teacher reflections for initial and renewal certifications there is a deeper sense of Catholic identity and spiritual growth Increased numbers of teachers are attending other types of renewal experiences (retreats, missions, scripture studies, AOC Religion Curriculum workshops, etc.)

Data Analysis Certification of principals as Coordinators of Religious Education is substandard to certification of teachers as catechists Access to principals new to the system increases momentum for local Catholic identity depth at the school leadership level AOC Religion Curriculum is a driver for change as goals are understood and used as basis for RE curriculum development

Religion Curriculum Archdiocese of Chicago Religion Curriculum (2008, 2014) PK- 12 Curriculum based on 10 catechetical goals as basis of faith formation for grades PK-12 Religion textbook series currently approved by USCCB correlated with AOC Religion Curriculum (since 2009) AOC Religion Curriculum Workshops w/ PP for Principals, Teachers and Department Heads PK-12 held annually for elementary and secondary personnel Complete collaboration with Office for Catechesis and Youth Ministry (2007)

Faith Formation for Students Artists for Peace, The Well Spirituality Center Confirmation Retreats Church Year Focus Retreats Youth Retreats (Catholic high schools) Inter-racial intervention and interaction Peace Works, Marquette University October Day of Adoration African American Heritage Liturgy (February 20, 2015)

OTHER work of team to serve schools Pastors Handbook (2010) Principals Tool Kit on Catholic Identity (2010) Collaborations (internal) Office for Catechesis and Youth Ministry Office for Divine Worship University of St. Mary of the Lake Certification Commission Marriage and Family Ministries Archdiocese of Chicago Pastoral Plan Office for Divine Worship Collaborations (external) Catholic Religion Textbook Publishers Other Catholic dioceses adopting the AOC Religion Curriculum Jewish United Fund/ Anti-defamation League/ American Jewish Committee Chicago Coalition for Inter-Religious Learning CSJ The Well Catholic Publisher Venues Catholic universities

Ad Extra - Mission Collaboration with mission projects (Catholic Relief Services, Chicago Catholic Charities) Collaboration for Teacher Education (Jewish United Federation, ADL, Chicago Coalition for Interreligious Learning) Catholic Diocese of Nsukka, Nigeria All for the purpose of building an asset base of teachers and principals who have deepened awareness of the Church’s external mission to the world