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
jwelborn@archchicago.org
312-534-8321
312-534-5295 fax
Esther S. Hicks
ehicks@archchicago.org
312-534-5305
Sr. Rosemary Hickmann, OP
rhickmann@archchicago.org
312-534-5217
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 2013-2016
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
2008-9
2009-10
2010-11
2011-12
2012-13
Pillar Theology
Courses
Attendees
680
1,120
1,470
1,220
1,136
Initial
Certifications
218
180
238
194
140
Certified CREs
68
-
-
-
21
Chicago
Catechetical
Conference
0
3,364
691
827
832
Anti-racism
Training
110
232
319
323
212+
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) PK12 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