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PAGE 2 GEORGIA BULLETIN THURSDAY, JUNE 16, 1966
SECOND IN A SERIES
The Lay Congress Proposals For Educational System
LAY PARTICIPATION
Boards Of Education Seen
For Archdiocese. Parishes
(Article One.)
Of the Archdiocesan School
System, the Committee ex
presses appreciation to those
dedicated priests, sisters and
laymen who labor in its behalf
and fully endorse its con
tinuance as a most necessary
and vital instrument in the life
of the Archdiocese — “the Ca
tholic School can be of such an
aid to the fulfillment of the
mission of the people of God
to the fostering of dialogue be
tween the Church and mankind to
the benefit of both (the Catholic
School) retains even in our pre
sent circumstances the utmost
importance.”
The Committee proposes the
following specific recommen
dations:
(1). That a board be estab
lished under the name of “Ar
chdiocesan Board of Education”
having the purpose of establish
ing policy subject to the approv
al of the Archbishop of Atlanta
in all matters pertaining to the
establishment, operation and
maintenance of the Archdio
cesan elementary and high
schools, and all phases of re
ligious education in the Arch
diocese of Atlanta including the
'location, establishment and dis
continuance of schools; pupils;
classes; teachers; salaries,
educational, athletic and relat
ed program, finance, standards
of education and application of
Christian principles to the edu
cational program. All decisions
of the Board when approved
shall be binding principals and
staffs of the Archdiocesan
schools. It is further suggested
that this board be created using
the Ad Hoc Committee Interim
Report ®@*Bo«rds of Education
dated October- 27, 1965, by the
NationaT GSniolic EdtiCation AS-'
sociation as a guide. The final
report of this Committee is to
be given serious consideration
when available.
(2). It is recommended that
Parish Boards of Education be
established consisting of the
pastor, the principals of the
schools and a suitable number
of the laity elected by the parish.
Each member shall have one
vote, and decision shall be by
simple majority. It will be the
purpose of the Parish Board to
formulate policy at the parish
level consistent with the deli
berations and decisions of the
Archdiocesan Board of Edu
cation. The Parish Board will
establish policy pertinent to all
phases of education within the
parish.
It is further suggested that
Parish Boards of Education be
created using th Ad Hoc In
terim Report of the National Ca
tholic Educational Association
referred to above as a guide,
and that the final report of this
Committee be given serious
consideration when available.
The following are the propos
ed methods of selection of Lay
membership of the Parish
Board of Education:
(1) . A nominating committee
will be established, consisting
of the Pastor, principals of the
Parish Schools, lay or religious
and one member from each
existent man or woman’s orga
nization in the Parish. The total
membership is to be seven (7).
Should there be more than five
parish organizations, a member
from the five organizations with
the greatest number ofmembers
will qualify to be part of the
nominating commiteee. Should
there not be enough Parish or
ganizations, then the above se
lected members will select an
additional number of knowled-
gable members-at-large from
th Parish, whether members of
any organization or not . Of these
lay people chosen, at least three
must have children in the school,
all five may.
(2) . This nominating com
mittee will select as available
two nominees from each of
five different categories: For
example the professions, labor
fend»/ or agriculture, women,
business and education one-bf
r •Whom -should be a' teachelf
the Parish School. The com
mittee will secure consentfrom
its selectees prior to placing
their names in nomination. The
names of the nominees, along
With a brief biographical sketch,
are to be presented to the mem
bers of the Parish on a Sunday
as an enclosure with the Parish
bulletin. On the following Sunday
ballots are to be distributed in
the Church. All adults are asked
to vote on one person in each
category. Election will be by
simple majority in each cate
gory resulting in the election
of the five lay members of the
Parish School Board.
The following are the propos
ed methods of selection of the
membership of the Archdioce
san Board of Education.
(1) . Membership is to be a
total of twelve (12).
(2) . Five are to be members
of the diocesan clergy and of
religious communities, quali
fied as educators, and are to be
appointed by the Archbishop.
(3). Relative to the laymem -
bership, each Archdiocesan
parish is to be classified in
one of three (3) categories bas
ed upon the number of families
within the parish. Categories
are defined as follows:
(a) The first category is to
be made up of that number of
parishes comprising 30% of
total Archdiocesan parishes and
having the largest number of
families within the parish, (b)
The second category is to be
made up of that number of
parishes comprising 30% of
total Archdiocesan parishes and
having the smallest number of
families within the parish, (c)
The third category is to be made
of all remaining parishes in the
Archdiocese.
Each Parish School Board
shall be asked to send to the
Chancery a single nomination
from the parish, along with a
brief biographical sketch cif the
nominee.
The Archbishop will select
and appoint two (2) members
from each category, a total
of six, and one (1) member-
at-large from the Archdiocese.
No more than one (1) member,
however, will be selected from
’ each Parish, "notwithstanding
J the abbVe." ''
The terms of service on this
Board will be (three years,
with the initial terms) staggered
one, two and three years, so
as to insure continuity of mem
bership.
The secretary for Education
should be unencumbered by the
responsibilities andfunctions of
a school principal so that he
might devote his full talents to
the direction and guidance of
all aspects of the Archdioce
san eductional program—Ele
mentary, Secondary, Schools of
Religion, and Adult Education.
CATECHETICAL CENTER
Schools Of Religion To Provide
Complete Instruction In Parish
(Article Four.)
Speaking of the Church’s edu
cational role, the Declaration
refers to “suitable aids.’’
“Foremost among these is
catechetical instructions which
enlightens and strengthens the
faith, nourishes life according
to the spirit of Christ, leads to
intelligent and active partici
pation in the liturgical mystery
and gives motivation for apos
tolic activity.’’
Expressing our concern for
the religious education of the
children who are not enrolled
in Archdiocesan schools are the
words of Reverend Daniel J.
O’Connor, Secretary for Edu
cation, Archdiocese of Atlanta:
“The crux of the problem,”
he states, "is that a smaller
percentage of Catholic students
are receiving a complete Cath-
f olic education each year. It is
this concern that is compelling
many of our priests and lay
people to look for new answers.
The Catechetical Center or
Parish School of Religion is
one of these answers.”
We recommend the appoint
ment of a Director, Schools of
Religion on an Archdiocesan
level, unencumbered by other
major administrative responsi
bilities, to direct the establish
ment and continuance of an
over-all program of catecheti
cal instruction in the parishes.
Matters to be considered by
the Director should include:
(1) A continuing program of
teacher formation not only on
courses of methods and doctrine
but also to deepen the sense of
Christian commitment on the
part of the teacher.
(2) The establishment of a
central office as a channel of
communication between the
pastor, teachers, pupils andlay
persons.
(3) Provide the parishes with
qualified guidance by competent
religious and lay persons.
(4) An invitation to Major
Superiors to assign Sisters
oriented and trained to work
under the Director and to con
duct training programs in all
phases of this activity.
(5) An introduction to Catholic
students in high school to this
program so that they can fulfill
a leadership role in their home
parishes.
(6) The establishment of a
standard curriculum and sug
gested texts.
(7) Teacher training for out
of city parishes conducted on an
The Lay Congress of the Archdiocese of Atlanta chose the
principles of the Declaration on Christian Education of Vatican
II as its guide in making recommendations concerning the edu
cational processes in the Archdiocese.
These principles were applied to three sections of the Arch
diocesan School System: the Elementary and Secondary level,
the Confraternity level and the; Adult Education level including
the Newman Apostolate. The concept of subsidiarity was used
in that parshes would maintaihjprograms most effective in the
parish and the Archdiocese would m aintain programs which cannot
be provided by the parish.
Of the four articles on this page, based on the Congress’
proposed drafts the first deals with the recommendations of the
congress for the selection of Boards of Education on both the
parish and Archdiocesan level. The second is concerned with
Catholic education at the elementary and secondary school level.
The third is the recommendations for Adult and special education
including inter-faith dialog and the establishing of liasons with
already existing adult education services in the city of Atlanta.
Hie fourth article deals With schools of Religion and the Con
fraternity of Christian Doctrine Program. This article dis
cusses the need for a Catachetical Center aimed at the religious
education of the young and the continuing religions education of
the adult.
“The matters which have been considered by the (Congress)
lead ultimately to finding the means to acquiring a true Christian
education; not only the development of physical, moral and in
tellectual endowments but that the baptised. . .become even
more aware of the gift of Faith. . . that they learn how to worship
the Father in spirit and truth, especially in liturgical action...
be conformed in their personal ives in justice and holiness of
truth,. . .that the develop into perfect manhood to the mature
measure of the fulness of Christ and strive for the growth of
the Mystical Body’ moreover. . .they learn not only how to bear
witness to the hope that is in them but also how to help in the
Christian formation of the world.
“In reviewing our Archdiocesan Education System there is
reason to be proud of its accomplishments, award of its short
comings, confident of its future.
“In assessing its worth, one truth stands forth more evident
than the rest and that is the need for Adult Education -- humbly
sought, properly imparted.
"'Hie Christian formation of the child begins with the education
of the parent and the religious training taught in the school is
but a supplement to that received at home.
“An acclerated Adult Education program leading to a more
enlightened and mature laity not only will solve many of the
educational problems of the Archdiocesebutwillwiththe guidance
of the Holy Spirit, help in the Christianformation of the world.’’
(From the draft of the Lay Congress Report.)
Next week’s article deals with “Future Expansion and Develop
ment.’’
ALSO NEWMAN APOSTOLATE
COST, VALUE BALANCE
School System Significant,
But Suggests Further Study
(Article Two.)
In our review of the Elemen
tary aiid Secondary School Sys
tem in the Archdiocese of At
lanta, the congress explored
numerous published studies and
relevant materials, the direc
tives of Vatican II, opinions ex
pressed by experienced priests,
nuns and lay teachers and con
cluded that the Archdiocesan
system is sound and will con
tinue as a significant educa
tional force in the Christian
Community.
It is our primary concern
to evaluate present circum
stances in order that we might
constantly improve the school
system so that it is able to
impart an education and total
formation of unquestionable
quality, equal to or better than
that which public education can
offer.
Based on this consideration
we recommend the following:
(1) . The appointment of a
Director of Elementary Schools
to administer the instructional
program of the elementary
schools of the Archdiosese.
(2) . The appointment of a Di
rector of Secondary Schools to
administerthe instructional pro
gram of the secondary schools
of the Archdiocese.
(3) . Accreditation Of the ele
mentary and secondary schools
by the Southern Association at
the earliest possible time, and
by the Georgia Accrediting
(3). Accreditation of the ele-
Revised Adult Education;
.M 1 .3 82S * e ^di ^BnoUnv^osei dJlw t 3Jhib i.
To Include Ethics, Morals
area basis or through corre
spondence courses where nec
essary,
(8) That a School of Religion
Board be established on the
parish level composed of the
Director of the Parish School
of Religion, two of the teachers,
and two other members elect
ed from parents of students en
rolled in the Parish School of
Religion. It will be the purpose
of the Parish School of Religion
Board to formulate policy on the
operation, curriculum and oth
er phases working in liaison
with the Archdiocesan Director,
Schools of Religion.
(a) Membership is to be a to
tal of five (5).
(b) The Director of the Par
ish School of Religion, whether
(b) The Director of the Parish
School of Religion, wheth
er clergy or laity, is au
tomatically a member. The
two representatives from
the teachers will be elect
ed by the School of Re
ligion teaching staff and
could be either religious
or laity. The two repre
sentatives from parents
whose children attend the
School of Religion will be
elected by all parents who
have children in the
, school.
(CONTINUED ON PAGE 3.)
(Article Three.)
On the subject of more ad
vanced studies, the Declaration
on Christian Education addres
ses itself to the faculties of sac
red sciences urging them “to
make a more penetrating in-
quiry...so that an ever deepen
ing understanding of sacred Re
velation is obtained, the legacy
of Christian wisdom handed
down by our forefathers is more
fully developed, the dialogue
with our separated breathren
and with non-Christians is fos
tered and answers are given to
questions from the development
of doctrine.”
The need for upgrading and
extending programs for adult
education is enormous. As the
primary responsibility for re
ligious formation and educa
tion of children is that of adults
(parents), so it is that their
own continuing formation and
education is of vital concern.
At present there is an inade
quate concept of the extent of the
need for adults to perform these
two roles in the "age of the
layman.” Existing parish pro
grams are largely fragmentary
or reach a minority of adults.
In some instances there exists
a state of indifference or apathy
on the part of the laity and/or
the clergy to the needs in this
field. Finally there is at pres
ent a striking lack of facilities
and future planning for adult
education.
In consideration of the above
we recommend the appointment
of a Director, Adult Education,
on an Archdiocesan level to di
rect the field of continuing re
ligious formation and education,
including the Newman Aposto
late,
Matters to be considered by
the Director should include
(1) Institution of formal pro
grams for continuing religious
education and formation of
adults. These programs should
include Church history, doc
trine, ethics and morals, and
similar matters not only in
teresting and informative but
which better prepare the Chris
tian for his encounter with the
world. These programs should
include college students pres-
-ently a part of the Newman
• Apostolate.
(2) Establishment of a pro-'
;gram for education in the Lit--
-urgy—worship, music and art.
(3) Establishment of plans
for the up-coming Archdiocesan
: Lay Center.
(4) Establishment of anArch-
• diocesan Speakers Bureau as a
service to parishes.
{5) Establishment of an Arch
diocesan Lending Library as a
service to parish libraries and
. assistance in the formation of
• ithe latter where they do not
r exist.
(6) Facilities forthedevelop-
. ment of dialogue within and
i without the Church; lay-clergy,
> Catholic-Protestant, Catholic-
[.Jewish, etc.
(7) Establishment of a liason
, with existing centers of adult
; education with the idea of share
ing facilities or programs.
-(Georgia State University, At
lanta Art Center, Emory Uni-
, versity, Georgia Tech, Georgia
Center for Continuing Educa
tion, etc.).
(8) Investigation of means
-.for providing facilities to in-
i struct parents in matters per
taining to the proper sex edu
cation of their children.
We recommend the formation
of an Archdiocesan Newman
Board which will become an in
tegral part of the' Archdiocesan
Adult Education System. This
Board should include college
, students, college faculty, advi
sory clergy and laymen.
The Board shall report to the
Director of Adult Education.
The primary purpose of the
Board shall be to provide a pro-
'gram of activities, religious
education directed toward the
Christian formation of all stu
dents at the college and univer
sity level.
Matters to be considered by
Board should include:
(1) A change in name from
the “Newman Apostolate” to
one which mo,re specifically
connotes the purpose as outlined
above.
(2) Short and long range goals
with special emphasis upon the
theology and spirit of Vatican
II.
(3) The concept of “campus-
parish” be implemented wher
ever feasible to include a Com
mittee including students, fac
ulty and advisory clergy.
(4) The presentation of cours
es in Marriage and Christian
Living to be made available for
all students, married or single.
(5) The immediate investiga
tion of the feasibility of estab
lishing degree courses in Re
ligion and/or related subjects
in the state of Georgia Univer
sity System, as well as in pri
vate institutions, so as to offer
an acceptable syllabus, faculty
and facilities.
(6) The-development of a pro
gram of continuing Christian
Education available to all col
lege students in the Christian
Community, said courses ad-
missable as degree require
ments.
The Congress wishes to ex
press on behalf of all the peo-
pel, the need for vocations to
the religious life-for priests,
for sisters, for brothers, those
men and women Who “render
generous services of all kinds
to mankind.” We recommend a
renewed effort under the Arch
diocesan Director of Voca
tions to coordinate the efforts
of priests sisters, and laity
including such organizations as
the Serra Club and the Theres-
ians to further religious voca
tions among our young men and
women.
Possible means should be ex
plored to provide some form of
financial assistance where nec
essary to parents of boys or
girls contemplating a religious
vocation.
The Congress takes note and
is aware of the exceptional
(CONTINUED ON PAGE 3.)
mentary and secondary schools
by the Southern Association and
by the Georgia Accrediting
Commission at the earliest pos
sible time.
(4) . Teacher salaries should
be established in accordance
with existing salaries paid to
school teachers in the local area
consistent with their qualifi
cations by the earliest possible
time.
(5) . Incentives to qualified
lay teachers should include op
portunities for advancement
through the system to the high
est teaching and/or administra
tive position.
(6) . An in - service training
program should be established
to improve teaching knowledge
and methods. Many of the
Sister Communities have within
their ranks, specialists in cer
tain fields and whose services
could be made available to other
sisters as well a lay teachers.
All available talent should be
utilized to the fullest.
(7) . To assist teachers in
their efforts to obtain credits-
towards completion of their col
lege work, it is suggested that
the parish boards institute a
program that will reimburse the
teachers for their tuition and
fees for summer or night school
courses when working toward
said credits.
(8) . To provide an incentive
for the teachers to advance
their qualifications toward cer
tification, it is proposed that
salaries be scaled according
to advancements in earned cre
dits as well as general quali
fications.
(9) . An adequate hospitaliza
tion^ income protection plan and
"pension' pfen for litjrteachers
should be inaugurated.
(10) . A program of tenure
should be initiated for all cer
tified teachers after three to
four years of service.
(11) . Every means possible
should be pursued to obtain go
vernment aid under public law.
Consideration should be given to
establishing a continuing close
liaison between the Archdio
cesan Board of Education,
members of Congress and the
State Legislature in order to
effectively participate in legis
lation or proposed legislation
relating to public funds for
Educaton.
(12) . The Office of Secretary
for Education be responsible for
informing faculty members of
Scholarships, grants and simi
lar aids which become available
for those engaged in education
work. The archdiocesan Sys
tem should apply for inclusion
in all educational programs in
stituted by the State.
(13) . Professional educators
should be consulted in the ar
chitectural planning of new
school buildings.
public school system, other
Christian school facilities, and
on an inter-parish basis should
be investigated.
(15) . A central purchasing are -
rangement be established to
acquire commonly used sup- •
i plies and services on the most
economical basis and savings,
when acquired, to be passed
on to individual schools.
(16) . Insofar as it is prac
tical, an adequate physical edu
cation prgram should be estab
lished for both elementary and
secondary pupils.
(17) . As alternatives to the
establishment of a parochial
school, which is neither feasible
nor practical, consideration
should be given to two or more
parishes’ sharing costs and
facilities. In addition, an ele
mentary school staffed ex
clusively by professionally
trained lay persons could be a
valuable asset to the school
system.
(18) . Thoughtful considera
tion should be given by the
Ordinary, the pastor and the
parishoners to the establish
ment of new elementary
schools. Unless such a school
can be fully accredited by the
Southern Association and/or the
Georgia Accrediting Commis
sion from its inception, other
means should be sought to pro
vide for the religious formation
and secular education of the
children. We particularly re
commend the Catechetical Cen
ter as described below.
(19) . It is recommended that
when established, the Archdio
cesan Board of Education con
sider the formation of Elemen
tary '—School-! Districts. - Such
School Districts would.-aid: in
placing in neighboring schools
pupils from parishes where for
reasons not of their own choice,
no elementary school exists.
(20) . It is suggested that the
following proposal for re
cruiting . lay teachers for the
elementary schools might be
considered: (a) Encourage
young adults in Newman Clubs
throughout the South to consi
der teaching in the Atlanta Ar
chdiocese as a career and (b)
in this connection, initiate a
program between the colleges
and universities in the Atlanta
area and the Department of Edu
cation for student teaching thus
combining practical experience
and valuable exposure to the
school system.
(21) . It is proposed that the
Department of Education secure
personnel trained in the field
of psychological testing and
evaluation to counsel parents,
teachers, and administrators in
dealing with the exceptional
child and particularly the more
frequent marginal cases.
(22) . Gudance counseling in
secondary schools should be in
the hands of persons qualified
in this field.
In the compilation of in-