The National Curriculum Framework for high school religion (see below) was developed by the United States Bishops' Committee on Catechesis, under the Department of Education. Work on the framework began in 2003. Both in 2005 and 2007 copies of the guidelines were sent to bishops, diocesan religious education offices, and publishing houses in the United States. The guidelines were then shared locally during each of these years while gathering feedback to return to the Committee on Catechesis. One change in the drafts between 2005 and final approval in 2007 was that the curriculum went from eight required courses or themes to six required courses with five suggested electives.
While the final draft was approved at the recent Bishops' meeting, it has not yet been released to the public. As has been announced, the framework is Christ-centered. A preface from a final draft envisioned
"a Christ-centered catechetical initiative that is intended to have the student encounter the living Lord as he is found in the Church, in the Word of God and in the sacramental life of the Church, most particularly, the Eucharist. In this encounter one also embraces the Christ who calls us to live out our faith in service to others and in the acceptance of his way as the norm four our life's activities. These guidelines also help insure that young people experience a comprehensive treatment of the Church's teaching even if they move from one location to another in the United States."
The Ad Hoc Committee to Oversee the Use of the Catechism reviews catechetical materials to determine their conformity with the Catechism of the Catholic Church. It was formed in 1996. Archbishop Alfred Hughes wrote a summary of its work on the ten-year anniversary of the Ad Hoc Committe in 2006. That summary along with other archived Catechism Updates provide a good reference for the work of the bishops in the area of catechesis during that time.
Yesterday's blog report led to a flurry of reactions, both on the blog and to my e-mail address. I appreciated all of the comments. A teacher from California wonders if the focus on Jesus Christ signals "a renewed effort at evangelization." Another e-mail from a long-time and soon-to-be retired teacher from Maryland said:
"Religion is not a subject we merely study; it is a life we live. I find that the burden of handing on our traditions is relegated to the religion classroom rather than being witnessed to by the entire school faculty and staff . . .Schools must follow through on classroom learning with conversion and proclamation and service."
Hopefully, with the grace of the Holy Spirit, our common efforts at catechesis will bear fruit. Certainly we all share a great responsibility for not only the teens who attend Catholic schools, but those they meet and engage in the diverse society they interact in. A favorite article by a young Catholic writer, Anna Nussaum, written as a high school senior in 2001, speaks to the challenges we face but also alludes to the great rewards at perserving at sharing the Good News of Jesus while providing teens with the language and axioms of faith that will last their lifetimes.
