Independent Survey Justifies Dioce..~lln Education
'Catholic Schools Have Definite Edge' Outsiders Also Note Improvement and Confidence
By Patricia Francis
The diocesan school system got a 'report card' the kind it didn't mind in the least taking to Bishop Connolly for signature. According to Louis Harris and Associates, Inc., which recently completed a survey of Catholics and non-Catholics living within the geographical boundaries of the diocese, both groups give the parochial school system an edge over the public school systems. "While the rating of public and Catholic schools in the Diocese of Fall River is high, Catholic schools have a definite edge," the firm researchers reported. "Three in 10 (30 per cent) give the public schools an 'excellent' rating while 35 per cent give the Catholic schools an 'excellent' rating. "A positive rating ('excellent plus pretty good') is given to the public schools by seven in ten (70 per cent) and to the Catholic schools by nine in ten (88 per cent)." This finding was just one of a number of varied reactions obtained in interviews with adults who were asked about the Catholic school system. The survey in the diocese was commissioned by the New. England Catholic Education Center, whose research director is Dr. George Madaus. Harris Associates also is preparing a complete appraisal of
Catholic education in the Archdiocese of Boston. The Harris survey, although designed specifically to measure public attitudes about the parochial school system, also touched on a number of other changing ideas in the Church. Two out of three of those surveyed felt the current changes are for the better. "Support for the change arises out of the feeling the Church is getting closer to the people and is becoming more relevant to 'their needs, that the Mass is more meaningful and easier -to understand, that rules are less strict and that people now have more opportunity to be involved and to think about their religion and are less obligated to blindly . follow the dictates of the Church," the report says. The report cites the following "more visible issues (that) clearly indicate that further changes in Church practices would be welcomed: Among Catholics, 65 per cent
Day on its campus on' Columbus Day, Monday, Oct. 13. Junior and senior high school students, whether from diocesan, parochial, private or public high schools, who are interested in further college study for competitive-world success, will do themselves, their parents and communities a great favor by attending the well-planned event. Rev. Edmund Haughey, C.S.C., Dean of Admissions at Stonehill College, announced that representatives of 98 Catholic colleges from the Mid-west to the Atlantic seaboard will be present at the No. Easton campus to meet with and answer the questions of students and parents. College Day has proved to be an immense success in the past.
WThe ANCHOR Vol. 13, No. 40, Oct. 2, 1969 Price 10c
$4.00 per Year
漏 1969 The Anchor
agree "strongly" that "priests should be permitted to marry and still remain priests." An additional 19 per cent agree "somewhat." Among Catholics, only 13 per cent agree "strongly" that "the movement toward ProtestantCatholic church unity is dangerous because it tends to deny that the Catholic Church is the one true Church founded by Christ." An additional nine per cent agreed "somewhat." Despite the fact that 30 per cent of those surveyed feel they are "less religious" than their parents, 45 per cent felt that religion was important in their lives and an additional .36 per cent felt religion was central"the most important thing" in their lives. Age seemed a key here, with two-thirds of those Catholics 55 or older saying religion was "most important" while only one-third of those under 35 felt the same way. The in-depth survey of the school system provided some sur-
Pas,tor, Administrator, Assistant Involved in Priest Transfers
1;$
REV. WILLIAM E. FARLAND
Stonehill Schedules College Day for Monday, Octo 13 Stonehill College in No. Easton, in cooperation with the Diocesan School Department, will host a College
agree "strongly" that husbands and wives should be free to follow their own consciences in the choice of birth control methods. An additional 16 per cent agree "somewhat." Among Catholics, 40 per cent agree "strongly" that "under certain conditions, the Church should permit divorce and remarriage." An additional 23 per cent agree "somewhat." Among Catholics, 27 per cent
An ever increasing number of colleges will be represented at the annual two-hour affair followed by an open house. From 9:30 to 11 :30 in' the morning, parents and students will take part in the four thirtyminute sessions, formal discussions on college, and a free exchange period in classrooms. Colleges represented are: Albertus Magnus College, AIphonsus College (Jr. College for Women), Albernia College, AIverno College, Anna Maria COllege. Annhurst College, Aquinas Junior College of Business, Assumption College, N.D., Assumption College, Mass., Barat College. . Biscayne College, Boston College, Brescia College, Caldwell College for Women, Canisius College. Cardinal Cushing College, CarTurn to Page Six
A pastor, an administrator and an assistant were transfered by His Excellency, the Most Reverend Bishop today. Rev. Leo T. Sullivan, pastor of St. Ann Church, Raynham, be路 comes the pastor of Immaculate Conception Church, No. Easton. Rev. William E. Farland, assistant at St. Kilian Church, New Bedford, is the new administrator of St. Ann Church, Raynham; and Rev. John J. Steakem will go from assistant Turn to Page Fourteen
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Fr. Harringlon To Chancery Rev. Thomas J. Harrington, J.C.L., recently returned from studies in Canon Law at the Catholic University in Washington, D. C., has been appointed Vice-Chancellor by His Excellency, the Most Reverend Bishop. Born July 28, 1938 in New Turn to Page Six
REV. THOMAS J. HARRINGTON
REV. LEO T. SULLIVAN
... .,.;~.~~ . . ..,~"i prises, including attitudes about religious education. Three out of four (76 per cent) of the total group fCl:!1 it is important for parents to "try to shape the religious beliefs of their children." The figure rises to 84 per cent among Catholics. In addition, 85 per cent feel it is better for childten to attend formal religious education programs rather thal'l .having parents attempt to provide religious education by themselves. However, the way this should be done disclosed a sharp difference in attitudes between Catholcs and non-Catholics. When individuals were asked to select two or three from a list of educational and non-educational programs which should receive the most support from their church, CeD-type programs topped full路time schools among the total group. The difference showed up here. Among non-Catholics, 33 per cent chose CCD-type programs and only three per cent chose elementary schools and high schools. Among Catholics, however, 35 per cent chose elementary schools as opposed to 28 per cent for CCD programs and only five per cent for high schools. "Even among parents of children in public schools," the report stresses, "support is higher for Catholic elementary schools than it is for the CCD program:: Asked to select teaching programs in order of priority, 55 Turn to Page Fourteen
First Poll Reports Favor Holy Days Transferal of CHOR subscribers have signified
With over 1000 ballots received at the Chancery Office in Fall River; the laity of the Diocese have opted 2-1 for the transferal of Holy
Days to nearest Sunday when they happen to fall on weekdays. Though the large number of votes has been encouraging as a sign of active and interested lay participation' in diocsean life, it still represents only a small fraction of the more than 290,000 lay members of the Diocese. The laity has been consulted by the Most Reverend Bishop as to possible changes in the celebration of the Holy Days. These feasts could possibly be celebrated as they have been until now; they could be dropped altogether; or, they could be transfered to the nearest Sunday. Four per cent of THE AN-
"transferal" as their choice. It has been pointed out that the ballot, printed in the Sept. 18th issue of THE ANCHOR, will still be accepted by the Chancery Office.' At their November meeting, the Bishops of the United States will vote and decide on the matter of a possible nationwide change in regard to Holy Days. Since the matter directly involves workday problems of the laity, however, many Bishops have consulted the laity first.
Investiture His Excellency, the Most Reverend Bishop, will ilnvest with symbols of their new honors, the newly named Reverend Monsignors and J{nights of St. Gregory at a ceremony to be held at the Cathedral, Wednesday evening, Oct. 22, at 8 o'clock.