Catholic school leaders are asking how can we best use our centers of faith and knowledge?

by Sister Betty Larson, OSB

The Catholic schools of the Diocese of New Ulm are in a time of challenge. This challenge comes from the reality of a shifting population as well as a decline in the number of students available to attend our schools. Several schools have had to close in the past ten years and only some of these students were able to be serviced by other Catholic schools.

As a diocese it is our concern that all students have the opportunity to attend a Catholic school if parents so choose. Bishop Nienstedt has been very clear in his statements in support of our schools. It is to this end that the Diocesan Committee on Parishes is including the location of schools within the developing plan for parishes. At the present time some areas of our diocese have no Catholic Schools and others have several small ones. How can we make the best use of these centers of faith and knowledge?

As an initial step, discussions have been held concerning area schools- providing education in grades K-12 in the areas where this is possible. This plan has been in existence in the NUACS system for many years. Students from four parishes are serviced in this system. Could this same plan be developed in other areas? Is it feasible for students from Glencoe, Silver Lake and Hutchinson to be transported to Winsted for grades 7-12? Could a similar plan be developed in the Sleepy Eye area?

These questions are challenging. They force us to "move out of the box" of parochialism and develop a broader concept of regional and diocesan church, of regional and diocesan faith communities. This new paradigm will give all the opportunity for more and better ministry in the diocese. Let us continue to pray for the guidance of the spirit to give us the courage to move into a future of deep faith and commitment to living our faith in daily life.

Sr. Betty Larson, OSB, is the Superintendent of Catholic Schools for the Diocese of New Ulm.