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The community breakdown is one that can be mended, though, with creative community-building programs like the retreat. Retreats can be designed to blend practical learning and the needs of adults with those of the developing child. Graham (1994) emphasizes the need for strong catechesis, which provides the means by which to develop religious communities. The Congregation for Catholic Education (1988) claims, "catechesis takes place within a community living out its faith at a level of space and time not available to a school: a whole lifetime," (p. 55). Thus, the school's role in the community transcends that of the student, that of the parent, and that of the curriculum.
By applying Catholic values to academic subjects, catechesis becomes far more than religious education. Catechesis becomes a transformative force in the community. Communities are comprised of individuals, and when each individual is empowered with spiritual tools, the community as a whole benefits. Religious education is one component of the Catholic education that can create trust and bonds between Catholic and non-Catholic members of the community. A Catholic school is by definition a religious institution, or at least one component thereof; and although that role does involve evangelism, the Catholic school does forge bonds with non-Catholic organizations (Congregation for Catholic Education 1988). Especially when local authorities may direct Catholic school curriculum to a great degree, catechesis still takes place to make the religious institution a community builder. "In the context of state schools or non-confessional schools where the civil authorities or...
75).
Therefore, a Catholic school can be considered a faith community both in terms of its internal and external roles and relationships. Internal relationships such as those between staff and students, between Church and school, and between teachers and parents create micro-communities. These Catholic micro-communities foster faith development and encourage lifelong learning and critical thinking. Faith development and catechesis aid individual and collective community growth. A Catholic school must also remember its essential role in part of a greater faith community outside of its borders. By forging ties with other religious groups and community organizations including state schools, the Catholic school can play a positive role in rewriting political, social, and economic futures.
References
Congregation for Catholic Education. (1988). The Religious
Dimension of Education in a Catholic School
Crotty, L., Fletcher, E. & McGrath, J. (1995). Reflections on an emerging religious education curriculum.
English, G. (1992). Religious education: what did you expect?
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