Educators

Catholic education is an expression of the mission entrusted by Jesus to the Church He founded.  Through education, the Church seeks to prepare its members to proclaim the Good News and to translate this proclamation into action.  Since the Christian vocation is a call to transform oneself and society with God’s help, the educational efforts of the Church must encompass the twin purposes of personal sanctification and the social reform in light of Christian values.  (United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, To Teach as Jesus Did,  #7)

Since true education must strive for complete formation of the human person that looks to his or her final end as well as to the common good of societies, children and youth are to be nurtured in such a way that they are able to develop their physical, moral, and intellectual talents harmoniously, acquire a more perfect sense of responsibility and right use of freedom, and are formed to participate actively in social life.  (Code of Canon Law, 795)



Catholic educators, whether they are teachers in our Catholic Schools or catechists in our religious education programs, have the unique privilege of assisting parents as first and foremost teachers of the faith. An important aspect of passing on the Catholic faith to children involves preparing them to fulfill their full human potential as adults - to become productive members of society and active participants in their Catholic faith community. Of utmost importance is preparation for their main vocational calling - to marriage, the single life, or to the priesthood or religious life.

When considering the vocation of marriage, there are four distinct stages of preparation: 1) Remote Preparation - from infancy through adolescence; 2) Proximate Preparation - from young adulthood (the dating years) through engagement; 3) Immediate Preparation - the process of sacramental preparation from engagement through the wedding day; and 4) Aftercare - beyond the wedding through every stage of marriage.  

According to John Paul II in On the Family (Familiaris Consortio), some of the positive influences and effects during the Remote preparation phase are the following:

•  A wise family training that leads children to discover themselves as being endowed with a rich and complex psychology, together with a particular personality having its own strengths and weaknesses.

•  A gradual formation of the young person’s character that, among other goals, instills esteem for all authentic human values, enhances skills in interpersonal and social relationships, develops an understanding and correct use of one’s inclinations, and promotes a proper regard for and ability to mix with the opposite sex.

• Solid spiritual and catechetical training that pictures marriage and parenting as a true vocation and mission, without in any way minimizing the vocation and mission to the priestly or religious life.

There is no doubt that educators play a crucial role in building strong Catholic families. Teachers of the faith can influence young people to choose the vocation to which God is calling them - whether to the single life, to marriage, to the priesthood or religious life. There is a great concern in the Church today for the commitment to all vocations. However, because marriage is the foundation of society, the seedbed of faith and the source of future priestly and religious vocations, it is of particular importance to the life of the Church.

The diocesan Plan for Strengthening Marriage launched in 2015 considers the role of educators in marriage-strengthening initiatives through these specific elements of the plan:

   The Diocese will...

• [1.B] Provide training and resources about sacramental marriage for teachers, catechists, youth and campus ministers, and parish sacramental prep teams to help them more pastorally address divorce, remarriage and other contemporary cultural challenges. 

• [2.B] Identify ways to incorporate a focus on sacramental marriage into the U.S. Bishop’s High School religion curriculum

       --Click here for the 2019 High School Curriculum Outline for Catholic Marriage.
       --Click here for recommended you-tube marriage videos for the High School classroom
       --Click here for the Catechetical Segment for Marriage Preparation, a resource booklet for clergy,            educators, parish leaders, and ministry volunteers that fully explains Catholic marriage

   Parishes and schools will...

• [1.D] Instruct teachers and catechists annually regarding aspects of Catholic doctrine and the importance of sacramental marriage in the life of the Church.

   Parishes will...

• [2.D] Seek out married couples to co-teach religious education programs as living witnesses to Sacramental Marriage - as co-teachers in religious education; and as guest speakers in schools and RE programs during curricular discussions.

• [2.E] Highlight sacramental marriage within Confirmation programs

• [2.F] Equip parents to talk to their children about healthy sexuality and answer difficult questions in light of Catholic teaching.

• [2.G] Incorporate age-appropriate instruction on Natural Family Planning into Religious Education and Youth Ministry settings.

• [2.H] Integrate teaching about healthy relationships, sex and marriage as part of Youth Ministry efforts.

To assist parishes in their efforts to equip their educators for the marriage-strengthening tasks called for in the marriage plan, the Catechetical Segment for Marriage Preparation is the recommended resource for all who teach or minister to Catholic families.

To learn more about Church teaching on the rights and duties of Catholic families, click here.