Welcome and Introductions

“Education is integral to the mission of the Church to proclaim the Good News. First and foremost every Catholic educational institution is a place to encounter the living God who in Jesus Christ reveals his transforming love and truth (cf. Spe Salvi, 4).”

Pope Benedict XVI

What is Catholic Identity?

“Clearly, then, Catholic identity is not dependent upon statistics. Neither can it be equated simply with orthodoxy of course content. It demands and inspires much more: namely that each and every aspect of your learning communities reverberates within the ecclesial life of faith”.

•Excellence for the whole child•Stewardship of the community and facilities•Love and acceptance•Act of hospitality•Compassion•Service

Ambassadors of Catholic Identity

Boards Role In Building Catholic Identity

•Presence/Attendance/Visibility•Living the Message•Participation in Religious Activities•Connectedness•Service to the School•Challenge/Support the Principal•Enforce the Mission Statement

Incarnate Community

Build Bethlehem in each School

“To educate is to guide students on an inner journey toward more truthful ways of seeing and being in the world.”

-Parker Palmer

“…It is an outstanding apostolate of hope, seeking to address the material, intellectual and spiritual needs… of children and students…No child should be denied his or her right to an education in faith, which in turn nurtures the soul of a nation …”

-Pope Benedict XVI

An Apostolate of Hope

PREACH THE GOSPEL AT ALL TIMES

…IF NECESSARY, USE WORDS