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Catholic to the Core was born out of a restlessness in the heart of the author. Since the early 1990s, Kathy Husak-Tarnacki felt a very distinct call from God to focus her skills and passions regarding education in a way that honored Christ in every way possible. The call was so clear to her that she approached her pastor at the time and asked for permission to open a school within the church. She had never been a principal and had never taken formal classes regarding administration, but she knew that when God calls, he equips. And that he did! The years that followed were filled with unexpected twists and turns in her professional career and her journey of faith, from Catholicism to a non-denominational setting, then back to the Catholic Church. Each step exposed her to new aspects of the possibilities and challenges present when you pursue Christ wholeheartedly, as well as highlighting how far schools have fallen from fulfilling their God-given purpose. These experiences filled her heart and mind with thoughts, questions, concerns, and possible solutions for the lukewarm atmospheres of many of our Catholic schools. In 2014 she felt a tugging to begin to write her thoughts down on paper, not sure exactly what the purpose would be. Now in 2022, she is blessed with the opportunity to publish what she wrote and share it with the hope that it will encourage conversation, reflection, and determined action.

Forming souls and building culture together form the sacramental mission of Catholic education. These profoundly related goals are laid out by the Church for education, following the general sacramental principle that permeates the whole of Catholic life. This approach seeks conformity to the Logos, the divine mind, that shapes the way disciples think, imagine, and pray. Guided by this approach, the student will be able to contemplate the truth of reality in a holistic and integrated fashion. As sacramental, it also leads to a concrete embodiment in the life of the Christian community and the daily actions of the disciple. A sacramental approach to education draws together the inner and outer life: mind and body, soul and culture, prayer and work, salvation and mission, the individual and community. For the future of society and renewal within the Church, we need nothing less than a reintegration of the person and our communities through the renewal of education, forming students deeply rooted in our heritage and prepared to hand it on in creative ways.

New Thinking, New Scholarship and New Research in Catholic Education gives a forum to many established and leading scholars to review and critically appraise the research contribution of Gerald Grace to Catholic education. The book demonstrates the way in which the field of Catholic Education Studies has developed under the influence of Grace, to become internationally recognised.This book demonstrates the ways in which Gerald Grace has shaped Catholic education since 1997. This begins with the primacy of empirical study and carefully conducted fieldwork when researching Catholic education. Many contributors focus on the way Grace champions the alignment between Catholic education and what we have come to know as the option for the poor. The collection also reflects Grace's intention to ensure the voices of women are properly represented in the field of Catholic education. The book is based on an inclusive and open principle that seeks to establish dialogue with educators of different faiths and different religious backgrounds, as well as secular and humanist critics. It will be of great interest to academics, scholars and students of religious education, the history of education and all those interested in the developing field of Catholic Education Studies. The Open Access version of this book, available at www.taylorfrancis.com has been made available under a Creative Commons Attribution-Non Commercial-No Derivatives 4.0 license.

'Offers the spiritual foundations that should define/suffuse Catholic education, at every level, to ensure that Catholic schools are providing the education that they promise'--

Catholic schools have long contributed to the mission of the Church and to the flourishing of society. During the past few decades, however, Catholic schools have suffered severe losses, both in their religious identity and in their capacity to attract students. With penetrating insights, pointed anecdotes, and drawing upon recent empirical studies and Church documents, Ryan Topping describes the near collapse of Catholic education in North America and uncovers the enduring principles of authentic renewal. In The Case for Catholic Education you'll discover: · the three purposes of Catholic education · why virtue is more important than self-esteem · the elements of a true'common core'curriculum · essential differences between'progressive'and'Catholic'models of learning · helpful study questions and a research guide'This is an accessible and eminently readable book on a topic which no Catholic can afford to ignore.'--Joseph Pearce, Aquinas College, Nashville, TN'The Case for Catholic Education speaks to the heart of the debate over whether Catholic education is'worth it.''--Sister John Mary Fleming, O.P., Executive Director for Catholic Education, USCCB'The Case for Catholic Education will surely play a vital role in reinvigorating the handing-on of essential Catholic truths.'--Sister Joseph Andrew Bogdanowicz, O.P., Dominican Sisters of Mary, Mother of the Eucharist, Ann Arbor, MI'This short book contains an astonishing wealth of insights and practical suggestions.'--Dr. Keith Cassidy, President of Our Lady Seat of Wisdom Academy'Ryan Topping has written an engaging and coherent analysis of the state of Catholic education in North America, which will be useful for teachers in Britain, too.'--Dr. Paul Shrimpton, Magdalen College School, Oxford'An insightful view of our threatened patrimony and a framed vision for what educating and forming our children may still yet become.'--Dr. Jason Fugikawa, Dean of Academics and Faculty, Holy Family Academy, Manchester, NH