Schools, Theology and Faith Formation
Keeping Catholic schools strong depends on keeping our Catholic identity strong. Those who work in Catholic schools must have ongoing formation in the faith of the Church.This vital task is something that the principal cannot do alone. It is important that schools have shared leadership to promote growth in faith, so that members of the school staff may most effectively carry out the mission of Catholic education.
The School, Theology, and Faith Formation program is a program designed for those ministering in Catholic elementary or secondary schools in the Archdiocese of Milwaukee. This program delivers formation and training to assist K-12 Catholic school teams who wish to grow in faith and understanding of their ministry and calling to “teach as Jesus did.”
Participants learn how to effectively develop a yearlong plan of adult formation for their school community. Teams are trained and formed to work with the spiritual needs of adult colleagues and the ongoing need of Catholic schools to foster healthy and informed Christian communities of educators. All participants receive religious education certification clock hours and may also elect to earn graduate credit from Cardinal Stritch University.
Since 2009, the STAFF program has served 125 Catholic school teachers, administrators, and staff from 27 Catholic elementary and secondary schools in the Archdiocese of Milwaukee. The program is delivered on the main campus of Cardinal Stritch University from January through May, 2011. It is recommended that each school register an adult formation team comprised of 3-7 representatives from faculty, administration, and staff.
The STAFF program partnership
The STAFF program has been developed through a dynamic collaboration between five local institutions of Catholic higher learning (Alverno College, Cardinal Stritch University, Marian University, Marquette University and Mount Mary College) and the Archdiocesan Office of Schools.
It is coordinated by the Saint Clare Center for Catholic Life at Cardinal Stritch University.
Program Structure
This adult formation program involves three key components.
COMPONENT A: Initiating Event, January 2011
A winter conference to orient faith formation teams
“Unpacking the Gifts: Teaching as Ministry”
Thursday, Jan. 13, 5 p.m. to Friday, Jan. 14, 3 p.m.
(overnight stay)
Green Lake Conference Center, Green Lake, Wis.
Through presentations, dialogue, and reflection, participants will learn a pastoral context for adult formation as it applies to Catholic school personnel while also developing a sense of school team. They will begin to identify and unpack their own gift of faith. The conference is directed by Fr. Tony Zimmer.
COMPONENT B: Core Program, Feb.-May 2011
Five educational and formational sessions
4-7:30 p.m., Feb. 3, March 3, March 24, April 14, May 5
Sister Camille Kliebhan Conference Center,
Bonaventure Hall, Cardinal Stritch University
Topics include Principles of Adult Formation, The Scriptural Roots of Teaching, and Principles of Faith Sharing.
COMPONENT C: Synthesis Day, May 2011
Individual school plans are presented and receive feedback
“Implementing the Adult Faith Formation Program in Your School”
Thursday, May 26, 8 a.m. - 3 p.m., Cardinal Stritch University
This day will ensure that teams have the tools for a successful first-year adult faith formation program.
Credits and clock hours
Cardinal Stritch University has approved credit for this program in the following manner:
- Jan. 13-14 Conference (1 graduate credit)
- Thursday Sessions (2 graduate credits)
Students may choose any combination of these options (from 1 to 3 credits). This is an optional aspect of the program.
All participants in the program will receive Religious Education clock hours from the Archdiocese: 13 hours in Theology, 16 hours in Methods, and 1 hour in Scripture (30 hours total).
Costs
Participant schools are charged $105 for each employee that they enroll in the STAFF program (i.e. a school team of four will cost a school $420).
An additional charge of $170 per credit will be billed to individual participants who elect to earn graduate credit for the STAFF program. (This represents a 75% discount from the normal graduate school course fees.)