Contacts & Publisher

Subscription Form

Home  / News & Publications /  Michigan Catholic News / 2008 /  We celebrate our tradition of faith formation

Published April 4, 2008

My Brothers and Sisters in the Lord:

Again this month, as we celebrate our 175th anniversary, I wish to reflect on yet another aspect of our heritage — the gift and blessing of our commitment to the faith formation of Catholics of all ages, particularly the youth.

To teach as Jesus taught

We speak of Jesus Christ as our priest, prophet and shepherd-king. One of His main works was being a "prophet," or teacher. Even though He did not have the formal training and background for such a designation, His disciples often referred to Him as "rabbi." Jesus was a teacher par excellence. By word and example, by His public ministry and His Paschal Mystery, He embodied His message. In St. Matthew's Gospel, He is presented as the new Moses, forming the new covenant community on the mountaintop as He delivers the Sermon on the Mount. Throughout His ministry, Jesus worked many signs, always making them "teaching moments."

The Church throughout the ages has taken very seriously the mandate Jesus issued His disciples at the end of Matthew's Gospel: "Go, teach all nations and baptize them…." Sharing the faith with others is a critical way we live out our relationship with the Lord; we can never be concerned only about our own salvation, but we must also let God use us so others can hear and believe the Good News. Such is the work of evangelization about which I wrote throughout the calendar year 2007.

Faith formation inmany ecclesial settings

In the course of the Church's history and in the midst of many different cultures, the ministry of faith formation has always been an essential building block of the Church; as St. Paul says in Romans 10, "How are they to believe unless they hear and how will they hear unless someone preaches to them…."

For most of us, faith formation was first and foremost a gift we received from our parents and grandparents; they taught us to pray and brought us with them to Church. They shared with us stories from the Bible and showed us how to live according to Gospel values. Some of us have had the opportunity to attend Catholic schools on the elementary or secondary level; some have even enjoyed the additional benefit of studying at a Catholic college or university. One of the ministries that is an essential part of every parish is the work of religious education or catechesis, a process and program of faith formation that runs from the lower elementary through high school. In our own country, faith formation was a major concern of the bishops, especially by the mid-1800s; the Councils of Baltimore affirmed several times the importance of Catholic education and, specifically, Catholic schools. Our own Detroit Diocesan Synod as early as 1878 proclaimed a commitment to religious formation through Catholic schools for everyone, regardless of their ability to pay.

Faith formation is truly a lifeong journey that is never finished. At every age, every one of us needs to continue to grow in our understanding of the Scriptures and the teachings of the Church. We face ever-new questions about how to put our faith into action and, therefore, we need to keep up on the latest scientific discoveries and global concerns as well. One of the best ways to learn is always through teaching others and in our tradition, most parents deepen their faith precisely in their work and privileged ministry of parenting.

Many dedicated and committed lay people throughout the centuries have given of their time and talent as volunteer catechists in parish religious education programs or as teachers in Catholic schools. We have been blessed by a long tradition of religious orders of men and women who have helped to staff parish schools and who have helped us develop a curriculum for religious instruction. We truly stand on the shoulders of great men and women who have "taught as Jesus taught" – by word and deed. On this anniversary year, we give thanks to God for their words and their witness!

The early yearsof faith formationin the Archdiocese

In her history of the archdiocese, "Seasons of Grace: A History of the Catholic Archdiocese of Detroit," Leslie Woodcock Tentler writes, "Catholics in Detroit and other Michigan settlements had established schools many years before the erection of the Diocese in 1833." St. Anne Parish supported a parish school from 1760 through 1791. In 1804, Fr. Gabriel Richard opened the first Catholic school in the Detroit area; it was his conviction that a parish school was a primary vehicle for forming and educating Catholic youth, especially the immigrant population. Before his death in 1832, Fr. Richard had not only helped establish the University of Michigan, but also opened a school for deaf mutes, promoted the cause of education for Native Americans in the Michigan territory, and opened a free school for girls at St. Anne Parish.

In 1833, as the diocese officially began, the newly-arrived Bishop Frederick Résé sponsored an academy for girls staffed by the Colletine Poor Clares. He also opened St. Philip Neri Catholic College in 1837, which unfortunately closed in 1841. We know little about the schools that were operating during Bishop Résé's episcopate (1833-1840) except to say that they were largely the work of the laity.

Things took a new turn with the establishment of the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary in 1845. Bishop Peter Paul LeFevère rejoiced in this new resource and brought five other teaching orders into the archdiocese during his tenure (1841-1869); nonetheless, during his years, the majority of the parochial schools were under lay leadership. A promising new beginning was the establishment of St. Mary's Academy in Monroe in 1847 that later became St. Mary's College in 1910, and eventually, Marygrove College. Also during his time, the Brothers of the Christian Schools arrived in 1851 to staff Ste. Anne School and, that same year, the Religious of the Sacred Heart established their convent school on Lake Shore Drive in Grosse Pointe Farms. By the end of Bishop LeFevère's episcopate, there were about 3,500 students in Catholic schools.

During the time of Bishop Caspar Borgess (1870-1887), as I mentioned earlier, the Fourth Diocesan Synod in 1878 committed itself to parochial education for all, regardless of their ability to pay. By the late 1800s, most of the teachers in Catholic schools were from religious orders with the IHMs covering almost half of the parish schools. Bishop Borgess brought eight new orders to the diocese, including the Felician Sisters, who arrived in 1880. By the time of his retirement in 1887, nearly two-thirds of the parishes had schools and the diocese had 60 schools with a total enrollment of 11,470. Also during his tenure, the Jesuits established the University of Detroit in 1877. SS. Cyril and Methodius Seminary was also established during the tenure of Bishop Borgess in 1885 on St. Aubin, between Forest and Garfield; they moved to their present site in Orchard Lake in 1909.

During the years of Bishop John Foley (1888-1918), the diocese grew substantially in population and the numbers of parishes (and schools) increased steadily. By the time Bishop Foley died and Bishop Michael Gallagher arrived in 1918, there were 102 schools; even these were too few in number to accommodate the ever-growing Catholic population. During his time, there was an effort to amend the state constitution to allow only public school education for all children of elementary level; thanks be to God, this "school amendment" was defeated by a two-to-one margin in 1920. The matter came up for a vote again in 1924 but was likewise defeated. School enrollment in the archdiocese more than tripled during the 1920s and 1930s.

During Bishop Gallagher's time (1918-1937), among his many accomplishments was the building of a new chancery and a bishop's residence in Palmer Park. His greatest accomplishment was, undoubtedly, the creation of Sacred Heart Major Seminary in 1919; building construction continued through 1924 when the seminary opened its doors.

Under the leadership of Cardinal Edward Mooney (1937-1958), Msgr. Carroll Deady served as archdiocesan superintendent from 1934-1957 and is credited for supervising and implementing many school reforms. During his time, enrollment increased steadily. The peak for Catholic schools in the archdiocese would have been around 1964-65 with 268 elementary schools and 101 high schools, with a total enrollment of 203,389 students, of whom almost all were Catholic.

A changing landscape

Catholic schools were a mainstay of parish life in the archdiocese through 1970. For a variety of reasons, the number of Catholic schools in the archdiocese has steadily diminished over the last four decades. Originally, schools were understood to be a necessary part of the ministry of every parish and were subsidized, in large part, by the religious orders who staffed them. In the beginning, there was virtually no tuition for Catholic families; even at that, however, many still struggled to pay the modest charges. With the defeat of Parochiaid in 1970, the realization grew that there was no hope for public funding to subsidize Catholic schools. This contributed to the decision of many parishes to close their schools. Other factors included: an ever-diminishing number of religious men and women teaching necessitated hiring of more lay teachers and, therefore, higher salary needs. After Vatican II, many clergy and laity contended that the parish's primary focus should be catechetical formation for youth and adults, not necessarily Catholic schools. More and more Catholics moved from Detroit and the ring suburbs, leaving behind large facilities but fewer and fewer Catholic families with school-age children. Maintaining Catholic schools as a means of evangelization for young people from the neighborhoods in the urban areas has remained a high priority but yet, a very costly challenge. Throughout the last three decades, yet another factor has been a decline in birth rates; the school-age population continues to shrink.

The school year 2007-08 saw figures of a total school population of 35,433 students, of whom 24,835 are enrolled in elementary schools and 10,598 in secondary schools. Happily, in recent decades, even as we have had to close many schools, there has been a groundswell for new Catholic schools both within the urban area and in the suburbs. I recently broke ground for Austin Catholic Academy in Macomb Township; Detroit Catholic Central now has a state-of-the-art facility in Novi and looks forward to a companion girl's school, St. Catherine of Siena Academy, in the years ahead. Notre Dame Prep on the edge of Pontiac and Auburn Hills is thriving as are many of our large high schools staffed and sponsored by religious orders — De La Salle Collegiate in Warren, Regina High School in Warren, Ladywood High School in Livonia, Academy of the Sacred Heart in Bloomfield, and U of D Jesuit High School and Academy in Detroit. We have also been blessed by the pastoral service and educational gifts of the Legionaries of Christ, who established Everest Academy in Clarkston and are now in the process of adding a high school. Other regional high schools sponsored by vicariates include Cardinal Mooney in Marine City, St. Mary Catholic Central in Monroe, Holy Family Regional in Rochester, and Bishop Foley in Madison Heights.

In recent years, we have put together exciting partnerships with Covenant House for several schools in Detroit and several religious communities of women are sponsoring Our Lady of Guadalupe Middle School for Girls on the Southwest side. Loyola High School, focused on African-American males, has been one of the special sources of hope for many families in our city. A very recent happy development is the establishment of Detroit Cristo Rey High School at the site of Holy Redeemer in Southwest Detroit, which will serve high-school age students in a combined academic and work-study program.

As always, numbers and data can never tell the whole story. Catholic schools are a valuable gift and treasure, a vital part of our long and distinguished history as a Church. Even though the circumstances of Catholic education continue to change because of the complexity of programming needs, the ever-changing student population, economic factors, etc., on the parish level and regionally, Catholic schools remain a very important tool for evangelization and faith formation. I am always pleased to note the strong service component of Catholic schools and the way schools factor into their curriculum and admission policies for scholarships for students in need, as well as opportunities for direct service with people having special needs.

Catechesis andreligious education

As I have mentioned earlier, Catholic schools are only one way the work of evangelization and faith formation happens. In fact, for the vast majority of Catholic people, especially in the last several decades, most faith formation occurs in the setting of parish-based programs of religious education.

One of our early pioneers was a lay woman named Josephine Van Dyke Brownson, a graduate of the Academy of the Sacred Heart, who originally was a public school teacher living near SS. Peter and Paul Parish downtown. In 1903, she was gathering children from various immigrant families for religious instruction at the church. She recruited friends and teachers to work with her after school and on weekends, and by 1916, they formed the Catholic Instruction League. By 1931, she reported that 4,393 children were under instruction at 38 centers, taught by 200 volunteer catechists. She died in 1942, an unsung hero, lying in an unmarked grave in Mount Elliott Cemetery. Just last year, thanks to Sr. Mary Louise Putrow, OP, professor at Sacred Heart Major Seminary, a headstone was placed on her grave by parishioners from SS. Peter and Paul Parish, Detroit.

In 1938, the United States bishops agreed to create in every diocese an Office for the Confraternity of Christian Doctrine (abbreviated CCD). Detroit's first office was directed by Fr. John C. Ryan; he held that position from 1940-1957. His work included forming the teachers who were catechists within the Catholic schools as well as those who were volunteer catechists after school. In 1957, Msgr. Edward Burkhardt succeeded Fr. Ryan; he had to deal with concerns of released time shared with public schools and changing Catholic populations. After Vatican II, he changed the name of the office to Office for Religious Education.

Msgr. Robert Humitz followed Msgr. Burkhardt, serving as director from 1968-1976; his major contribution was creating texts and developing curriculum guidelines, and also he gave special attention to catechesis in the urban areas. In an effort to be more accessible for catechists from around the archdiocese, during his time, the religious education staff moved from the Gabriel Richard Building downtown to the former St. Rita Convent on Hawthorne Street in Detroit. In 1968, the Institute for Continuing Education, the first such institute in the United States, was established by Cardinal John Dearden for faith formation of adults; it was headed by Jane Wolford Hughes.

Fr. Jerome Brzezinski directed the office from 1976-1983; among other things, he focused on catechist formation procedures and developed a certification process; he truly professionalized the work of the DRE and the catechist. During his time, there were 10,000 catechists, including teachers of religion in school, all of them properly certified. Msgr. John Zenz followed Fr. Brzezinski; from 1984-1986, he emphasized theological renewal and spiritual application; he often preached about the "living witness" of catechists and parents. When Msgr. Zenz was appointed chancellor (and later moderator of the curia), Cardinal Edmund C. Szoka appointed Fr. (now Bishop) John Quinn to the Religious Education Office. He came with a strong formation in religious education and catechetics from the Catholic University of America and had extensive pastoral experience. During his time, the "Religious Education Policy and Procedure Handbook" was revised and the policy of First Penance prior to First Eucharist was re-established. Fr. Daniel Trapp followed him from 1990-1993, emphasizing sacramental theology and a special outreach to families in the urban area.

Fr. John West served as director for three years; during his time, he sought to connect the formation topics with the new "Catechism of the Catholic Church." Fluent in Spanish, he also reached out to the Hispanic community and was a natural choice to head St. John's Center for Youth and Family as it was established.

Sr. Betty Flaherty, OP, was the first non-priest director of the office; she assumed this role after extensive experience as an associate director in the office and having served in almost every facet of religious faith formation in parishes and schools throughout the archdiocese. During her time, she gave special attention to implementing the United States Catholic Conference Commission on Certification and Accreditation. The current director is Maureen O'Reilly, the first lay person ever to be appointed director. She came to the office with an extensive background in special education. She and her staff have focused on adult faith formation as well as a revision of the "Handbook for Parish Catechetical Leaders and the Catechist Formation Process."

Over the years, the archdiocese has had a strong commitment to the faith formation of children with special needs and gifts. Among those who gave leadership to this endeavor were Fr. Donald Kuntz, Fr. Raymond Ellis, and Fr. Lawrence Burr and Sr. Mary Choiniere, CSJ.

Outreach with young adults

About the time the archdiocese was celebrating its centennial in 1933, CYO — the Catholic Youth Organization — was being founded. CYO traces its roots to Msgr. Harold Markey and two lay friends of his, Edward Crowe and Joseph Glaser. According to the story, during the Depression, Msgr. Markey saw young men outside his rectory window fighting with each other; he was convinced there had to be something better for them to do. With the help of his friends, they created a CYO boxing program and soon after, a home for homeless boys on Leland Avenue.

CYO began with athletics and Scouts and then pressed on to other areas such as youth clubs. After the Second World War, CYO opened camps for families to be able to send their young men and women. CYO developed extensive programs in athletics, religious and social activities, always with the goal of developing the whole person.

Over the decades, CYO has offered recreational services, sporting programs, substance abuse prevention programs, camping experiences and youth leadership opportunities. Since 1982, the Rainbow Conference has been a major gathering for young people of high school age from around the archdiocese; it is now in its 26th year.

The work of the Department of Education, in conjunction with CYO, seeks to develop Catholic youth ministry according to the U.S. Bishops' document "Renewing the Vision," which states, "Youth ministry is the response of the Christian community of the needs of young people and the sharing of the unique gifts of youth with the larger community." The archdiocese continues to participate in World Youth Day gatherings, which build bridges of friendship and hope between continents, peoples and cultures. Initiated in 1986 by our late Holy Father, Pope John Paul II, international World Youth Days now occur every three years; the next one being this summer in Sydney, Australia. Approximately 400 young pilgrims from the archdiocese will be traveling to Australia with Bishops John Quinn and Daniel Flores. A delegation of about 300 pilgrims will gather with other young people from Ohio and Michigan to celebrate World Youth Day in Sidney, Ohio. The World Youth Day cross, once given to the young people of the world by Pope John Paul II in 1984, has traveled around the world, including a visit to our own archdiocese, thus reminding us of our link with the Church Universal.

Faith formationwith and for adults

As I mentioned earlier in the column, every one of us needs to continue to study our faith. There are always new insights to obtain and new perspectives that can help us explain the faith to others and know how to put it into action. I commend all parishes that make a strong financial and programmatic commitment to programming for adult faith formation – classes in Scripture study, a series on doctrinal or moral matters, sacramental preparation programs, and of course, the process of the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults.

Every celebration of an anniversary is a wonderful opportunity to look to the past with gratitude, but also to reorient ourselves, making new commitments for how we will build on the past. I would like to take this occasion to encourage all of you to look for ways to study and grow in your faith. For example, if you have not yet purchased a Catholic Catechism or viewed the adult faith formation resources available on the archdiocesan Web site (www.aodonline.org), you might find these sources of great insight and guidance. There are countless books that deal with all aspects of our history and tradition, spirituality and morality, Scripture and sacraments. We cannot become mature adults in the faith if we are surviving on what we learned in eighth grade prior to confirmation. Every one of us can and should make our ongoing faith formation a high priority!

As I conclude this column, once more I wish to thank all those who have been a part of the great ministry of faith formation, particularly parents and volunteer catechists, DREs and Catholic school teachers, and men and women of religious orders, as they preach and teach the Good News. May God bless us all as we continue to teach as Jesus did – in word and deed.

Sincerely yours in the Lord,

†Adam Cardinal Maida
Archbishop of Detroit