Home Events Media Speakers About Us Register Donate Now!
Contact Us
Catholic Education: Who's Converting Whom? 5/12/2009
Preface to the Debate: Catholic School Identity

Catholic School Identity? What makes a Catholic school Catholic? Is there a benchmark or formula for determining a Catholic school’s identity? Is there a governing Catholic Church authority that determines minimum requirements? Is there a statement published by the Church that would help determine the Catholic identity of a Catholic school?

Relationship between the Catholic Church and Catholic Schools? To what degree does Church authority participate in a Catholic school’s decision to hire faculty, invite speakers, or select curriculum? (How do we approach Notre Dame’s decision to invite President Obama as commencement speaker?)

Academic Freedom? Is there a conflict between a Catholic school’s stance on major issues and what is allowed to be taught freely at a Catholic school? Does a Catholic school’s commitment to "Academic Freedom” detract from its "Catholic school” identity?

Laymen’s Responsibilities? What is the responsibility of the lay toward Catholic schools? Is their a duty or obligation for Catholic parents to send their children to Catholic Schools?

Trends? In recent years-especially since 2000-there has been a continuing and steep decline in the number of Catholic schools in the USA, as well as in the number of students enrolled at Catholic schools (USA). Does this decline point out anything particular about "Catholic schools losing their identity" or "Catholic schools not being as attractive to Catholics and/or non-Catholics?"

These questions, and others pertaining to "Catholic School Identity”, will be taken up and debated by our guest speakers: Deacon Nathan Allen and Dr. Stephen Heaney

Mr. Michael Olson Senior Moderator
What's on the Menu
Appetizer

Dinner
Dessert

AOTM General Event Information
4:00pm Social Hour and Appetizers
5:10pm Rosary in the Church
5:30pm Traditional Latin Mass
7:00pm Dinner
7:30pm Main Presentation/Debate
9:30pm Wrap Up

Adult General Admission: $20 and
Minor General Admission: $15 (Sons under 21).

Come share conversation, refreshments and appetizers with other guys then enjoy a fabulous "Manly Meal”. After that, listen to a great debate on the things that matter most. Men of all creeds and ages are welcome to join in the good humor, food, and fellowship. Priests and seminarians get in free but will not be shown partiality in debate. Fathers are encouraged to bring their minor sons.

Audio Files
Title Speaker(s) Date Type Format Download
Catholic Education: Who's Converting Whom? Deacon Nathan Allen, Stephen Heaney 05/12/2009 Talk/Debate MP3 Download

Event Speakers

Deacon Nathan Allen


Stephen Heaney


Pine Valley Associates, Inc.
Dan Selner
(651) 994-9550
PVA provides expertise in software development, user experience, communications strategy, Search Engine Optimization (SEO), Internet marketing and systems integration to provide innovative, quality solutions and deliver superior customer satisfaction.