Collaborative Spirit: Part II of III
Dr. Rita E. Cutarelli and Ms. Carrie J. Schroeder
Director of Campus Ministry and Religious Studies Chairperson
Mercy High School, San Francisco, California

Interface of Religious Studies & Campus Ministry
At Mercy High School in San Francisco, Campus Ministry and Religious Studies interface through retreats and liturgies, with the latter including Eucharistic celebrations, non-Eucharistic Liturgies of the Word, and Reconciliation services. In this second of a three part series, Dr. Rita E. Cutarelli and Ms. Carrie J. Schroeder, the Director of Campus Ministry and Religious Studies Chairperson at Mercy High School in San Francisco, will explore the issues surrounding the relationship between Campus Ministry and Religious Studies in the Catholic secondary school setting. Within this model - one in which these departments retain their distinctive roles while consciously collaborating in the shared mission of forming students for lifelong discipleship - the Religious Studies teachers assume responsibility of preparing students for upcoming Campus Ministry programs and following up with them afterwards. This is not to say that Religious Studies exists only for the purpose of supporting and augmenting the Campus Ministry program; rather, the relationship between the two departments is symbiotic. Students who have prepared for a retreat or liturgy with a capable guide will be more willing and engaged participants in that experience than they would otherwise have been, and they will bring every aspect of that experience to bear on their work in Religious Studies. One area which illustrates how this relationship functions in practice is how we work with our ninth grade students during the season of Lent.

Case Study: Lenten Liturgies
Our ninth grade students come to us from more than fifty elementary schools, including those that are Catholic, affiliated with other religions, secular private, and public. We strive to make this diverse group of young women feel at home at Mercy, to encourage them to participate in every aspect of our school, and to accompany them as they continue the lifelong journey of growing and maturing in faith. Although this process is well underway by the time Lent arrives in the early spring, this season provides a particular opportunity to solidify and deepen the foundation laid during the first semester by inviting students to informed and active participation in our Food Drive, our liturgies, and the sacrament of Reconciliation.

Fasting, Almsgiving, and Prayer
In introducing Lent to the ninth graders, with the aim of preparing them for the many Lenten activities in which they will participate at Mercy, Religious Studies teachers begin with the basics: fasting, almsgiving, and prayer. Students completely new to Catholic education need a thorough explanation of these practices, and students who have been in Catholic schools can help to teach their peers. However, with gentleness, respect, and good humor, we try to challenge students who cling to a child-like mentality about Lent as the time to give up candy and wait for the Easter bunny. Ninth grade students are ready for a more in-depth appreciation of the connection between fasting and almsgiving: that the money saved in fasting from, for example, visits to Starbucks or McDonald's, can be donated as alms for the poor. At Mercy, our primary Lenten almsgiving is our food drive. Thus, Religious Studies teachers ask students to consider how they might fast from something with a monetary value and then give that money (in the form of cash or cans) to the food drive. Through this very concrete connection, students come to understand that Lenten fasting is not primarily about self-denial for its own sake, but is in fact a way to reshape the world through a real awareness of and response to the needs of others.

Reconciliation
Our Lenten liturgies--including a Eucharistic liturgy on Ash Wednesday and three non-Eucharistic Liturgies of the Word-tend to focus on reconciliation: becoming reconciled with God, self, and others on both a personal and a global scale. Religious Studies teachers prepare students for these liturgies in a variety of ways, including praying in class with each liturgy's Scripture readings; by praying with and/or practicing the liturgical music; and by teaching about the colors, sights, sounds, and sense of the Lenten season. The Lenten Scripture readings for both Sundays and weekdays can be particularly helpful in giving students a sense of the season as a whole. For example, a Religious Studies teacher can divide students into small groups, in which each student reads a different Lenten Scripture reading. The students discuss the readings together, looking for common themes and images. The group can then choose one of the readings to act out for the class or to symbolize in a poster or other artistic creation. In this way, students begin to develop an awareness and appreciation of Lent; then, when they attend the liturgies, they understand the significance and symbolism of, for example, purple banners, bare branches, and a Kyrie.

During Lent, each Religious Studies class participates in a communal Reconciliation service, with an opportunity for individual confession and absolution. Because so many ninth graders have a distorted or overly simplistic understanding of this sacrament, the role of the Religious Studies teacher in preparing students is critical. Students who think they need to make lists of their sins; who are anxious about not remembering the Act of Contrition; or who fear the presider's reaction to what they may confess greatly benefit from studying the history and contemporary understanding of this sacrament and to reflecting on the universal human need both to seek and to offer forgiveness. In order to move students to this level of study and reflection, a number of resources can be helpful. For example, the Liturgy Training Publications (LTP) booklets "What Am I Doing for Lent This Year?" and "Preparing for Confession" clearly and succinctly explain and reflect on this sacrament in a way that prompts fruitful discussion among the students. The classic book by Simon Wiesenthal, The Sunflower, in which a dying Nazi officer seeks forgiveness from a Jewish prisoner, also raises issues of healing, forgiveness, suffering, and reconciliation in a uniquely powerful way. The Religious Studies teacher thus guides the students in growing toward a more mature understanding of the sacrament—an understanding which tends to make the sacrament more appealing.

Lent: A Community Experience
Based on the notion of Lent as a time of retreat for the entire Church, the communal Reconciliation service is conducted much like a mini-retreat for the entire Religious Studies class. Because classes are conducted in 85 minute blocks, there is sufficient time to begin and end with a prayer service, in addition to opportunities for individual confession. On their appointed day, each Religious Studies class gathers in the chapel where they begin with prayer. The Campus Minister then introduces the priest who will celebrate the Sacrament with the students. Because priests are invited from parishes and schools throughout the archdiocese, students are given the opportunity to ask any questions they might have and/or to simply welcome the celebrant. In order to make this a truly fruitful time of quiet reflection and contemplation before and after celebrating the Sacrament of Reconciliation, students have access to a number of materials in the chapel. While reflective music is playing in the background, they are free to peruse any number of prayer books, resources, and stories about Lent, the Sacrament of Reconciliation, forgiveness, and teen spirituality. An abundance of art supplies is provided in order that students may reflect upon and, then, create a symbol for forgiveness, healing, mercy, or a new start. The students place their symbols on the walls of the chapel, thus serving as a reminder that we are all in need of forgiveness and that God's mercy and forgiveness constantly surrounds us. Finally, after celebrating the Sacrament of Reconciliation, students are invited to light a small candle and place it in a sand tray, praying that they may continue to be open to the light of Christ in their lives. The class period concludes with a prayer of blessing and sending forth. This structure allows every student - whether Catholic or of another faith tradition - to participate in this experience in the way she so desires, whether celebrating the Sacrament, simply talking or praying with the priest, or praying, reflecting, and creating on her own.

Follow-up
Whether a cursory check-in or a more in-depth conversation or activity, we make a point to follow up with the ninth graders throughout the season of Lent as they experience each liturgy and participate in the food drive. Even regarding the sacrament of Reconciliation, by nature a more private experience, a follow-up conversation takes place. Student sharing of impressions and comments allows the teacher to clarify that this sacrament is a resource and source of strength for us as we strive to participate in the larger Christian task of living in harmony with God, with other people, and with the earth. Regarding liturgies, the teacher’s own questions of the students—like "What color were the banners?" or "What did the homilist say about why we fast during Lent?" reinforce what she has taught about the season, immersing students even more in the mystery and gift of Lent. This type of sharing and conversation after a liturgy or other event also builds community and connection among the students.

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Music Reviews

Top Music Countdown A monthly report produced by Cornerstone Media, this resource features 25 of the top songs on the charts today.

Spark Great Discussions Using Today's Music!

Topic: Lenten Themes

The average young person listens to music for four hours per day! Adults can use the issues in today's popular music to spark meaningful dialogue with young people about faith, values and relationships. The Lenten Season gives us a wonderful opportunity to examine our lives and make needed adjustments to improve our relationships with others, ourselves and with God. Here are three current popular songs that can help point us in the right direction.

So Small / Carrie Underwood

Issues: Life contains many problems and obstacles that need to be overcome. When these problems pile up, it can add undue stress and pressure to our days. "It gets so easy to get lost inside a problem that seems so big at the time, like a river that's so wide it swallows you whole." When this happens we need to hold a proper perspective of what's really going on and remember what is truly important. "Sometimes that mountain you've been climbing is just a grain of sand." If we recognize the true nature of the problems and hold true to what is primary, then we can see the grain of sand instead of the mountain. 'When you figure out love is all that matters after all, it sure makes everything seem so small."

Questions: Share a time when an apparently huge problem turned out to be a small one. What positive coping skills do you use to help deal with the problems you face?

Sorry / Buckcherry

Issues: "I had a lot to say. Was thinking my time away." When we take time to ourselves to assess our lives, things can often become clearer. What he realized was that many of the problems that were caused in their relationship were due to some of his mistakes. "I'm sorry I'm bad, I'm sorry I'm blue, I'm sorry about all the things I said to you." He knows he can't take it back, but would like to make amends for what he feels bad about. He used to blame her for what was wrong and is now owning up to his shortcomings and it's time to face it. "It's never too late to make it right. I'm sorry."

Questions: Which people in your life have you unintentionally hurt? How could you make these situations right?

Ready, Set, Don't Go / Billy Ray Cyrus with Miley Cyrus

Issues: Moving out of the way to let someone grow and achieve their dreams takes a lot of courage. Wishing the best for someone is a sure sign of love. His daughter thinks that she is ready to move on. "She's got dreams too big for this town and she needs to give 'em a shot." Her desire to take her life to the next level is driving all her decisions. "I'm at the startin' line of the rest of my life, as ready as I've ever been, got the hunger and the stars in my eyes." He knows this is what's best for her, but deep inside he is hurting. "I'm painting this big ol' smile on my face, to hide my broken heart."

Questions: How have you helped someone else grow spiritually? What are your dreams for your life this year?

If you found this review useful and would like to view a free issue of Cornerstone Media's Top Music Countdown, highlighting 25 current songs plus additional resources to use modern media in ministry with young people, go to www.cornerstonemedia.org/freetmc  (username: ncea, password: lent). This resource will be accessible through March 23, 2008.

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New Resources
Solidarity will Transform the World: Stories of Hope from CRS
Jeffry Odell Korgen
Director of Social Ministries
National Pastoral Life Center, New York

Jeffry Odell Korgen's book, Solidarity Will Transform the World, is a collection of stories that illustrate how the beneficiaries of Catholic Relief Services meet the challenges of extreme poverty. Published by Orbis Books in 2007, this inspiring book also come with a study guide companion designed to provide you and your students with the necessary tools for deeper reflection. Offering a variety of approaches to understand the lived reality of the people whose journey is shared in the pages of this book and to explore the inner landscape of the work of Catholic Relief Services, the study guide raises questions, encourages the exploration of ideas and images, and leads the reader into a meaningful social analysis of the issues and ideas that emerge in Solidarity Will Transform the World.

Solidarity Will Transform the World link
http://www.storiesofhope.crs.org/

Study Guide link:
http://www.storiesofhope.crs.org/Solidarity_Will_Transform_The_World_Study_Guide%20.pdf

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Education for Justice: Kenya, Lent, a Video Contest and so much more
http://www.educationforjustice.org

Education for Justice, a project of the Center of Concern, is a dynamic Web site designed to help educators find print-ready resources which foster greater knowledge of Catholic Social Teaching and demonstrate connections to current social justice issues and world events.

More than 2,000 print-ready resources are immediately available for members to choose, click, print, and use. New resources are added every two to three weeks. The site features downloadable educational materials in the form of lesson plans, units, fact sheets, bulletin inserts, case studies, reflection, prayers, Sunday Mass Readings & reflections, links to related resources, interactive materials, and more- all with an explicit Catholic Social Teaching perspective.

The resources found on the Education for Justice website are teaching tools designed to promote the essential elements of faith as well as knowledge of the social teachings of the church, greater awareness of world realities, the skills of social analysis, and a commitment to advocacy.

To become a member, go to:
https://www.educationforjustice.org/civicrm/contribute/transact?reset=1&id=2

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Catholic Campaign for Human Development (CCHD)
Now announcing the 2008 CCHD Multi-Media Youth Arts Contest!

The Multi-Media Youth Arts Contest is an annual contest organized by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops' Catholic Campaign for Human Development (CCHD) to encourage youth participation in CCHD's mission to address the root causes of poverty in the United States. All Catholic youth in grades 7 through 12 are invited to participate in the 2008 contest. Contest Information and Rules can be found at http://www.usccb.org/cchd/youth.shtml#multimedia   The theme for this year's contest is: "This is the REAL World: Poverty USA." CCHD encourages the participation of Catholic schools and parishes in this event. The contest provides an excellent opportunity for education about poverty in the U.S. and the Church's social mission. It is also an occasion to celebrate and encourage the gifts and talents of Catholic youth. Please contact Jill Rauh, the CCHD Youth and Young Adult Coordinator, at jrauh@usccb.org for any questions about the contest. Deadline: March 31, 2008.

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The Emmaus Journal Educator's Exchange

We are looking for teachers "in the field" who would be willing to submit brief descriptions of programming in their schools or classrooms. If you are doing something that you think others would be interested to know, please email Gary Meyerl, Assistant Executive Director of the Secondary Schools Department and editor of The Emmaus Journal, for inclusion in the next issue. Please limit your submission to 100-200 words and include your position, school and an email address where readers can contact you for more information about your great ideas. If you can share a link that will take readers to more information, please do.