Editorial
Catholic schools: Adding a fourth 'R'
We've all heard about the traditional three "Rs": Reading, Writing, and 'Rithmetic." They have long been considered the staples in education in the United States.
A leading Catholic educator has suggested adding a fourth "R." Dr. Karen Ristau, president of the National Catholic Educational Association, believes it should be Responsibility. She
explains her "R" choice: "Responsibility goes way beyond basic accountability such as making the bed or doing a homework assignment on time. It should encompass having empathy for one's neighbors and fellow students. It should translate into active participation in community service activities."
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Catholic Schools Week
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Dr. Ristau observed that too often contemporary culture seduces children into thinking "it's all about me." That's why it's more important than ever for children to be taught responsibility. They should also see responsibility put into action by parents and other respected adults, she said.
I wholeheartedly agree with Dr. Ristau's excellent suggestions for parents and teachers to encourage the fourth "R":
• Explain responsibility to your students and children. Define your understanding of the word and give examples of how young people can serve as responsible students, neighbors, and citizens of the community - and the world.
• Promote community service programs in schools. These initiatives should not be optional but a planned component of the school year. Faculty can encourage students to embrace service that reflects their abilities and interests.
• Remember that service begins at home. Parents are the first educators of their children and are the best role models when it comes to service.
Following her advice. I have observed that many parents and Catholic schools in the Diocese of Madison are already following Dr. Ristau's advice. They are teaching responsibility and providing opportunities for service. Week after week, the Catholic Herald publishes articles and photos about Catholic students involved in outreach in their school, parish, community, and world. This week's Catholic Herald features more examples.
Unselfish giving was especially evident during the Christmas season. Instead of giving and receiving gifts among themselves, many students and teachers decided to give gifts to the elderly, sick, shut-ins, and poor in their communities.
Another "R." As we know, the fourth "R" suggested by Dr. Ristau actually grows out of a fifth "R": Religion. Our Catholic faith emphasizes the importance of loving our neighbor. Christ taught us the Beatitudes as a way of life.
As we observe Catholic Schools Week from January 28 through February 3, we can be proud of our Catholic schools. They are indeed the "Good News" in education today in so many ways. Students, teachers, and parents are sharing that Good News with others by being responsible citizens living out their faith in service to others.
Let us continue to support our Catholic schools with time, talent, and treasure so they can continue to be strong in all the "Rs" in the years to come.
Mary C. Uhler
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Witness of teachers is vital
in Catholic schools
To the editor:
We celebrate Catholic Schools Week from January 28 to February 3. Its theme is "Catholic Schools: The Good News in Education."
At Catholic University on September 14, 2005, in a keynote address entitled "The Holy See's Teaching on Catholic Schools," Archbishop J. Michael Miller described and defined the "Five Essential Marks of a Catholic School." Michael Lancaster, superintendent of Catholic schools, is discussing each of these marks, their implementation, maintenance, and many benefits in the Catholic Herald.
Archbishop Miller stated that the vital fifth mark of Catholic schools is the witness of teachers who primarily determine whether Catholic schools achieve their purpose. For this to happen, educators at every level must be transparent witnesses of the gospel.
Pope Paul VI taught, "Modern man listens more willingly to witnesses than to teachers. If he (or she) does listen to teachers, it is because they are witnesses." Teachers, parents, and others help to make Catholic schools "Good News" when they model Jesus' message.
Years ago at a memorable faith community sharing day at Beloit Catholic High, teachers shared their commitment to student learning, character, and faith. Their professional, caring witness moved me to believe that "good Catholic teachers can affect the student, now and forever!"
Fr. Don Lange, pastor emeritus, Madison
Editor's note: Father Lange spent 20 years as a full time religion teacher at Beloit Catholic High.
Modern hymns uninspiring
To the editor:
I couldn't agree more with Bishop Morlino's column (October 26, 2006) concerning hymns that seem more focused on the assembly than the Almighty.
The hymn he quoted, "Anthem," is one of my least favorite. The lyrics, "We are question, We are creed" always leave a bad taste in my mouth. This misdirected emphasis is most often seen in hymns of late 20th Century vintage.
Also, aesthetically speaking, many of these modern songs are musically dreadful. The melodies (I use the term loosely) are tepid, forgettable, and quite uninspiring. Sometimes, the tune leaves my head almost before I can get the hymnal back in the rack.
As a recent convert (2002), I do miss the great old Lutheran hymns which had melodies you might well hum all Sunday long and lyrics that also stayed with you:
"Oh let me loathe all sin forever
As death and poison to my soul
That I through willful sinning never
May see Thy judgment take its toll!"
They don't write 'em like that anymore!
Scott Harrison, Beloit
Liturgy accents call to holiness
To the editor:
Every season of the liturgy in the life of the church accents a dimension of our call to holiness. The Christmas season accent includes the eternal significance of the human journey of being fertilized egg, embryo, fetus, and infant. The birth of Jesus as Word made flesh is the full revelation of the significance of this journey.
Those who die in their own blood by way of induced abortion belong to the feast of the Holy Innocents three days after Christmas. Those who are responsible for their deaths have no remedy other than repentance for sin.
The deliberate destruction of life in the womb is fruit of the same tree as the human trafficking referenced in the December 14 Catholic Herald editorial.
Fr. Robert Buholzer, Stoughton
It's holy days, not holidays
To the editor:
Just a comment about a headline that appeared in the "Searching for Christ" section of the December 21, 2006 Catholic Herald. The headline reads "Holiday Masses This Year."
The word holiday just doesn't seem appropriate in an article about Masses on holy days of obligation. Are our Catholic holydays now being called holidays even by the Catholic press? Perhaps it's my 1950s upbringing in the Baltimore number 2 Catechism, but holidays of obligation just does not ring true to me.
Let's talk about Christmas and the holy days in the Catholic press and let the secular press talk about holidays.
George Edenharder, Genesee
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