This volume provides all who minister to young people with an effective blueprint for building a truly meaningful ministry

Catholic education remains one of the most compelling expressions of the Church’s mission to form disciples. Despite decades of decline in the number of schools and students, many Catholic schools have been experiencing renewal by returning to the great legacy of the Catholic tradition. Renewing Catholic Schools offers an overview of the reasons behind this renewal and practical suggestions for administrators, clergy, teachers, and parents on how to begin the process of reinvigoration. The book begins by situating Catholic education within the Church’s mission. Fidelity to Catholic mission and identity, including a commitment to the fulness of truth, provides the fundamental mark for the true success of Catholic education. The Catholic intellectual tradition, in particular, established by figures such as Augustine, Boethius, and Aquinas, can continue to direct Catholic schools, providing a depth of vision to overcome today’s educational crisis. To transcend the now dominate secular model of education, Catholic schools can align their curriculum more closely to the Catholic tradition. One touchpoint comes from Archbishop Michael Miller’s The Holy See’s Teaching on Catholic Schools, which the book explores as a source for practical guidance. It also offers a Catholic vision for curriculum, examining the full range of subjects from gymnasium, the fine arts, the liberal arts, literature, history, and catechesis, all of which lead to a well-formed graduate, inspired by beauty, attune to truth, and ordered toward the good. Finally, the book provides a practical vision for renewing the school through the formation of teachers, creation of a school community, and by offering suggestions for implementation of a stronger Catholic mission and philosophy of education. The teacher, ultimately, should strive to teach like Jesus, while the community should joyfully embody the school’s mission, making it a lived reality. The book concludes with examples of Catholic schools that have successfully undergone renewal.

The five themes around which Campbell organizes these essays and sermons--written by 20 Presbyterian Church (USA) scholars, pastors and church leaders--is organized Christology and preaching, the church and evangelism, missions and service, the authority and interpretation of Scripture, and ecumenism and the Reformed tradition.

God has planted a vision in each of us. Have you found yours? Or do you spend your life running from place to place, feeling like a revolving door--always moving but staying in the same spot spiritually, emotionally, relationally, or financially? In Renewing the Vision, author Liony Batista explains that having a clear and defined vision is what ultimately allows us to move forward in a way that helps us to become a fulfilled people. Blending examples from his personal experiences, Batista offers a Biblically based perspective on vision as well an in-depth, step-by-step explanation as to what visions entail and what they require. He discusses finding the vision planted in your heart, examines possible roadblocks, and provides a blueprint for renewing the vision. Renewing the Vision examines the leading men and women of the Bible and shows how they fulfilled the vision God had for them. In down-to-earth language and in a conversational tone, Batista examines vision as one of the overlooked aspects of our lives. He shows the importance of not only understanding our vision, but fulfilling it in order to bring true meaning to our lives. Renewing the Vision serves as a guide to help you listen to God's voice and to discover your own true vision that God planted in your heart.

The Vision of Catholic Youth Ministry: Fundamentals, Theory, and Practice provides an overview of the theory and pastoral practice of comprehensive youth ministry, based on the 1997 document, Renewing the Vision: A Framework for Catholic Youth Ministry (United States Conference of Catholic Bishops' Department of Education). Contributing authors represent a spectrum of Catholic youth ministry thought and practice and are widely recognized in the field. The Vision of Catholic Youth Ministry is the first textbook on Catholic youth ministry and blends solid research with real-life application. It is an excellent resource for undergraduate or graduate courses in Catholic youth ministry or for youth leaders who want to ground their ministry in solid theology.

Catechetical / Youth Ministry

Established at Old Oscott in Birmingham, England, in 1980, the Maryvale Institute provides a variety of part-time and distance learning courses to the lay faithful, consecrated religious and ministers of the Roman Catholic Church. Maryvale’s doctoral research programme in Catholic Studies is conducted in collaboration with, and accredited by, Liverpool Hope University. Successful students receive an award of a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degree from the University. This book is concerned with the outcomes of that doctoral research programme. It provides an overview of the breadth of work by its students in the UK, USA and Africa and their contribution to new knowledge in the area of Catholic studies, a wide field including history, literature, philosophy, spirituality, and theology.