My first document by Catholic Schools Dallas

THE ROLE OF A PASTOR IN

Catholic Schools

“Whoever receives one child such as this in my name, receives me; and whoever receives me, receives not me but the One who sent me. “

(Mark 9: 36-37)

A Catholic School can bring life, young families, and vocations to parishes. The Pastor is the shepherd for everyone in the School community. His relationship with the students, parents, teachers, aides, and administrators can create a significant spiritual affect upon the parish, the School, and in all personal lives. Every school should be seen as an opportunity to create important interactions and evangelization with families, oftentimes more than any other ministry, because it brings these families to each parish 5 times a week.

The Role of a parish school Pastor

As the Chief Administrator of a parish, the Pastor oversees all ministries. The Pastor hires the Principal to administrate the school as well as maintain administrative oversight of his/her performance, the budget, and the facility. Stating this, the Pastor is more than an administrator; he is also the primary teacher and promoter of its Catholic identity. He should ensure that religious education is coordinated across all available ministries. The Pastor should be involved in major personnel issues and possible Safe Environment violations/investigations. He should ensure that the Catholic school is an integral part of the Parish and the Parish is an integral part of the Catholic school. Finally, the Pastor and Principal should be seen as a team and have a close, personal, and professional relationship.

A primary function of a Pastor with a Catholic School is to support his Principal, allowing him/her to manage the day-to-day business, while also remaining engaged in the life of the school. Operating through a mutuallytrusting relationship will greatly contribute to the school’s overall success. Given the workload of Pastors and the various personalities involved, challenges inevitably arise, including:

• Time demands

• Uncomfortable/frustrating previous experiences visiting the school

• Challenges with the teachers, staff and/or principal

• Discouragement about the apparent lack of faith among students/staff

• Being uncomfortable around students and/or their parents

• Being uncomfortable around teachers who might not be practicing Catholics

• Poor students’ behavior and /or lack of supervision during Assemblies and Masses

• Working through parent complaints or concerns about school matters

• Feeling discouraged by family Mass attendance

While recognizing these challenges, the purpose of this resource is to provide a list of specific ways for Pastors to engage members of the school community in order to build relationships that will strengthen the connection between the parish and the school.

These recommendations are attached and grouped into seven categories:

1. Engaging the Principal

2. Engaging the Teachers

3. Engaging the Staff

4. Engaging the Parents

5. Engaging the Students

6. Engaging the School in Liturgical Events

7. Engaging the Parishioners

The Role of a Chaplain in a Diocesan school

The Chaplain oversees the pastoral care of the students, staff, and families of the school. The Chaplain should be a visible and active example of living the Priest, Prophet and Kingly life for all students, families, teachers and staff.

Letter from the Bishop

Dear Brothers in Christ,

As Bishop of the Diocese of Dallas I am extremely proud of all of our 36 Diocesan Schools. Our 14,000 students across our diverse campuses reflect not only our Diocese, but our global church as well. Our schools offer a wide range of curriculum including college preparatory, dual language and special needs. What I am most proud of is your commitment to enrich in each student their Catholic Identity. Your efforts in their formation is central to our faith and the future of our church.

Through your hard work both our enrollment and retention are increasing. Your commitment to excellence and to educating the whole child while honoring their God-given talents is central to our faith. Thank you for following the words of St. Augustine: “Education is the food of youth”. You exemplify this by challenging each student to succeed academically, athletically and artistically while forming them as faith-filled individuals committed to the service of others.

To that end, it is also with great joy that I anticipate the opening of our recently announced Mother Teresa Catholic School. This campus will offer the highest quality education to those in Collin county seeking the highest quality Catholic education.

Our Catholic schools are indeed an endeavor of love. Our success would not be possible without the grace of God and the hard work and dedication of our priests, presidents, principals, faculty and staff, parents and advisory boards. You are a blessing and I thank you.

Fraternally yours in Christ,

Diocese of Dallas

Bishop Edward J. Burns

Letter from the Superintendent of Schools

Dear Pastors and Administrators,

Catholic education has a unique and transformative power. By integrating faith and learning, our schools provide an environment where students grow spiritually, intellectually, morally, and socially. As pastors and administrators, you play a crucial role in guiding this mission, ensuring that our schools remain true to the teachings of Christ and the traditions of our Catholic faith.

As we navigate the challenges and opportunities of leading our Catholic schools, it is important to remember that we are never alone in this journey. The Holy Spirit guides us, and we are supported by a dedicated community of educators, parents, and parishioners who share our commitment to Catholic education. Let us also draw inspiration from Jesus himself, who was the Master Teacher.

I encourage you to use these guidelines as a tool for reflection, inspiration, and practical action. Let them remind you of the profound impact you have on the lives of our students and the broader faith community. Your leadership and dedication are invaluable, and together, we will continue to cultivate schools that truly reflect the love and teachings of Christ.

Thank you for your unwavering dedication to this sacred mission. May God bless you, our Catholic school communities, and all of the faithful in the Diocese of Dallas!

In Christ’s service,

Superintendent of Schools

Dr. Rebecca Hammel

Engaging the Principals

A healthy working relationship between the Pastor and the Principal is crucial to the development and maintenance of a strong parish-school connection. A mutual understanding that both are involved in the work of evangelization and that each is competent in their particular responsibility provides a solid starting point. The roles of Principal and Pastor are in some ways very similar and the support and approval of the Pastor is highly valued by a school Principal and vice versa. The following are some suggestions for nurturing this relationship:

• Welcoming the Principal when there is a new appointment to the school

• Meet with the Principal before the beginning of the school year and often afterwards

• Demonstrate respect for the difficult task of a school administrator

• Signal willingness to cooperate with the school

• Go through the calendar and important dates; coordinating the school year with Liturgical year

• Encourage the appointment of a school staff member to serve as a Liaison with the parish

• Stay abreast of school events and happenings through a standing, scheduled weekly check-in meeting

• Make or accept offers of hospitality

• Find opportunities to compliment the Principal when positive things are noted

• Be a model of joy!

Engaging theTeachers

The Pastor’s presence in the school is a gift to the teachers. While there may be some whom are not Catholic or not practicing their faith, the Pastor’s presence in the school will go a long way to encourage the teachers to make the school a stronger Catholic community. The following are some suggestions for nurturing this relationship:

• Coordinate a meeting with the Principal, with the teachers early in the school year

• Schedule periodic meetings throughout the school year, discuss expectations with the Principal beforehand

• Be visible/accessible

• Understand the work of a teacher can be taxing physically and emotionally

• Offer blessings at school Masses

• Recognize/thank the teachers publicly

• Encourage teachers to volunteer at Parish volunteer events

• Be a model of joy!

Engaging the Staff

The Pastor’s presence in the school is a gift to the adults in the building as well as to the children. While there may be some staff members who are not Catholic, not practicing their faith or who are not living their lives in full accord with the Church, the Pastor’s presence in the school will go a long way to encourage those to strive to make the school a stronger Catholic community. The following are suggestions to build those relationships:

• Try to attend and address a staff meeting early in the school year

• Publicly acknowledge and thank the staff

• Arrange a visit to the staff breakroom during recess/lunch (i.e., bring treats/ doughnuts)

• Let them know they can contact you about any spiritual issue

• Offer to assist with days of reflection

• Offer to celebrate a special Mass(es) for the staff

• Offer hospitality (i.e., host a lunch/ dinner for staff at the end of the school year)

• Be a model of joy!

Engaging theParents

School parents, as first educators, have chosen to entrust their child to a Catholic school. While for some, the decision to do so may entail many factors, faithful parents trust that the school will help form their child in the faith and that the School, along with the Domestic Church (home) will be a place where their child will encounter Christ. Knowing that a Priest is actively involved with the school is immensely reassuring for these parents. The opportunity to engage with parents is an opportunity to evangelize, to re-evangelize and to connect parents with Parishes. The following are suggestions to foster those relationships:

• Attend as many parent/teacher events as possible and interact with the families

• Attend as many Parent Council meetings as possible

• Attend school family events

• Provide a “Welcome Letter” to be included in packages for new families

• If there is a school newsletter, ask for a parish news column

• Facilitate the connection between needy families and parish ministries

• Invite parents to come to Mass on Sunday

• Be a model of joy!

Engaging the Students

Pastors are following in the footsteps of Christ, the teacher. As Priest, Prophet and King, the Pastor’s presence can touch the lives of students in many positive ways and may even contribute to a religious vocation in the future. The following are ways to build relationships with students:

• Make periodic visits to all classrooms/ walk the halls/drop in for lunch

• With the teacher’s approval, observe a class

• Find out where students are in the religion curriculum and attempt to incorporate into homilies

• Engage with students about the religion curriculum

• Invite students into sacramental preparation

• Promote the opportunity to become altar servers, lectors, and cantors

• Promote involvement in youth programs

• Accompany class field trips

• Attend school spirit days

• Attend school sporting events

• Be a model of joy!

Engaging the School in Liturgical Events

Liturgical events are an important time in the life of a school community. The school’s identity as a Catholic community, united in Christ, is expressed and experienced by all members of the school. Through Liturgical celebrations, Pastors have a unique opportunity to build the relationship of every school member with Christ. The following are suggestions for nurturing those relationships:

• Celebrate school-wide Masses whenever possible in the Church

• Make sure homilies are age-appropriate and engages the imagination (i.e., stories, saints)

• Be available for the Sacrament of Reconciliation especially during Advent and Lent

• Have school students lead Sunday Masses, especially during Catholic Schools Week

• Seek opportunities where the school community serves the parish by volunteering for parish Masses and events

• Be a model of joy!

Engaging the Parishioners

The Pastor plays an important role in Catholic education by keeping all parishioners informed about what’s happening in their Catholic school. Children are the future of the Church and of the parish. Everyone, not just parents, but grandparents and relatives have an interest in supporting good Catholic education. Keeping parishioners informed will reinforce that important engagement. The following are some suggestions to help build the relationship between the parishioners and the school:

• Reference the school in the parish bulletin

• Mention any visits to the school; include examples from school visits in homilies

• Emphasize the good things that are happening in the school

• Foster a sense of pride in their school by emphasizing the good things

• School Masses/Mass intentions/prayers of the faithful

• Ask pwarishioners to pray for the school, its teachers, staff and students

• Look for opportunities to make school announcements after Mass

• Support families and youth with parishbased programs

• Have a school representative on the Parish Council

• Get to know those parishioners who are Teachers

• Help connect parishioners with opportunities to volunteer in school events