Christian Service in Education

I would like to thank Amy and Patrick for their recent postings regarding the relationship between science and religious faith and the issue of service to the poor in education. I would like to offer a thought for all of us to consider regarding Patrick’s posting and his invitation for an exchange of thoughts.

The problem he highlights is real and has had a profound effect on Catholic primary and secondary education in the US. The Christian Brothers, my own order (the Jesuits), and many women’s religious congregations that traditionally focused their apostolic energies on education have encountered the same problem. What to do when members of the order are not replacing themselves in the schools? Well, good and talented members of the laity have been hired. But, of course, this has come at a price: paying something close to a fair wage for a member of the laity. In the context of the Society of Jesus, so many of the secondary schools were staffed by young men (scholastics) during their three or four year regency, and they were the backbone of the institution. Such is not the case today; but the good work of these schools continues in the capable hands of many devoted laity. I shall leave for another time my reflections on the shrinkage in the ranks of the religious orders.

Knowing that this phenomenon has generated financial issues that make it more expensive to run and attend Catholic schools (and being a reason for placing into question some schools’ futures), is there a solution or at least a contribution to a solution?

I believe there is, and the core of my suggestion comes from the laity. There are two groups that I would like to identify: the first being qualified retirees who could volunteer some of their time to teach in a Catholic primary or secondary school as a new vocation. I am not sure to what degree this prospect has been explored by primary and secondary schools that have been administered by dioceses and religious orders.

The second group would be recent college graduates, particularly those who attended education schools in Catholic colleges and universities. For them and the institutions from which they graduated, I would like to explore something that I will call at this stage a “Catholic Education Corps.” Its nature would parallel that of the Peace Corps or Jesuit Volunteer Corps. The colleges and universities might manage some debt relief to these graduates in return for their commitment to teach for two or three years in a Catholic primary or secondary school. I believe that Notre Dame now has a masters degree graduate program in which some of its graduates receive their degree at no or low cost in return for several years of service in a poor Catholic primary or secondary school. This program may provide a structure upon which others can build. However, my suggestion would expand the concept to provide some debt relief for those younger graduates who would like to serve the Church in something like the volunteer services I mentioned. These volunteers could receive a stipend along with board and housing in any available space that may exist in the convent or community which once housed the members of the teaching order at the Catholic school at which they serve. This community of young lay volunteers would also be able to come together to pray and participate in the celebration of the Eucharist.

Well, these are a few thoughts which I would like to pass along in response to Patrick’s invitation. Thanks for considering them. Perhaps my suggestion might be akin to the small mustard seed. It could grow into something bigger and enduring.   RJA sj