Max Thomas Engel

Contrasting P-12 Catholic school research and research culture in Canada and the United States illuminates similarities and distinctions that can inform Catholic school advocates, practitioners, leaders, and researchers in both countries, as well as those interested in Catholic schools around the world. The differences in Canadian and American school context do not diminish the significance of the shared challenges and possibilities for Catholic school education in general and research focused on Catholic P-12 education specifically. The need and opportunity for Catholic school research, especially in relation to a research culture, is shared by both countries. Canadian and American Catholic schools would benefit from a network of practitioners and researchers coordinating needs and studies with acknowledged norms for research unique to the Catholic school setting. This culture would provide ongoing and accessible dialogue about pedagogy and practices to enhance the identity and mission of Catholic schools. This chapter’s suggestions for cultivating a Catholic school research culture in Canada and the United States, along with the possible research topics and methodologies proposed, are relevant for Catholic school educators and researchers in contexts across the Anglosphere.

"During a 1980s Edmonton Oilers game, fans unveiled a banner claiming, "On the 8th day, God created Gretzky." Intersections between religious belief and sporting participation are nothing new, where players, coaches, and fans are known to pray, cross themselves, and point to the heavens during a game. But what should be the relationship between sports and religious faith? On the Eighth Day introduces the theology of sport from a Catholic standpoint. It wrestles with sport's universal appeal, its rich symbolism, and its spiritual and moral characteristics. Sport is a place where embodied games can be sacramental; where traditions of the past speak to contemporary peoples; and where truth and justice are demanded in a world affected by sin. The eighth day recalls the playful, re-creative work of God the Creator embodied in Christ's resurrection. In this sense, this book marks out a "new day" in Christian attitudes toward modern sport and the continuing call to redeem sport in service of human flourishing. Comprehensive yet accessible, the book will engage thoughtful lay sports fans and academic students alike"--

Canon law recognizes the pastor as the chief educational officer (CEO) of the parish school. However, recent studies demonstrate that seminaries do not prepare seminarians for work in or leadership of Catholic schools, and recent scholarship also demonstrates that an increasing number of seminarians lack the desire to lead a parish school. Our research study examined the post-seminary preparation of priests for leadership of parish schools. We also explored alternative governance models for Catholic schools. We conducted structured interviews with 10 national leaders to explore these two areas of interest. Our findings demonstrate that preparation of newly ordained and veteran priests for parish school leadership is woefully inadequate. Interviewees suggested that the pastor/principal relationship and school finance are two important topics that should be addressed in best practice preparation programs for school leaders. All 10 interviewees had difficulty imagining alternative governance models for schools in which the pastor would not serve as the CEO, but at the same time, some of the participants could see potential benefits of alternative governance models. Based on the findings of our study, we recommend that: (1) seminary programs include an initial introduction to the importance of Catholic schools for evangelization; (2) a new national model for preparing young and veteran priests for school leadership be developed and implemented; (3) existing best practices for alternative governance models be collated and promulgated; and (4) church leaders and stakeholders determine the best governance models for their schools and then prepare the appropriate people for leadership roles accordingly.

Recognizing that pastors of parishes with a Catholic school play a vital role in Catholic education, and that the seminarians of today will be the parish pastors of tomorrow, this study sought to provide a better understanding of the perceptions held by Catholic seminarians about parish schools. Fourteen seminary students from 12 seminaries and 14 different dioceses from across the United States participated in focus group interviews to discuss their thoughts and perceptions about parish schools. Themes that emerged from focus group discussions included the reinterpretation of the New Evangelization, the understanding of the value of Catholic schools, mixed feelings about leadership of a parish with a school, lack of preparation for school administration, and minimal preparation specific to Catholic schools. Recommendations include the addition of a focus on Catholic schools in new editions of the Program of Priestly Formation (USCCB, 2006) and changes to seminary curricula.