The Catholic times. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1951-current, 1951-11-02
Education
Nov. ll-l7
Catholic Schools Urged
To Take Active Part
In Annual Observance

Catholic schools in the Colum-
bus Diocese and throughout the
nation will play an active role in
the observance Of American Edu-
cation Week from Nov. II to II,
and in the Interpretation of the
Weeks theme, Unite for Free
dom"
The Department of Education of
the National Catholic Welfare Con-
ference called the observance an
excellent opportunity" for Cath
olic teachers to explain the Cath
olic school program to your associ-
stes in the teaching profession,
civic officials. your neighbors, and
all others interested in your
school"
In letter to the principals of
Catholic schools in the Diocese, the
Rev. Bennett Applegate, acting
superintendent of schools, declared
that 1T would be difficult to over.
emphasize the importance of Amer.
ican Education Week" and called
attention to the apostolic oppor-
tunities for interpreting Catholic
education to the many communi-
ties of our diocese"
Father Applegate recommended
that each school plan program
for the week and obtain adequate
publicity for the program.
He also urged the schools TO
make use Of the recently publish.
ed volume, These Young Lives. y
prepared by committee of di-
ocesan school superintendent to
publicize the purpose and program
of the Catholic schools. Copies OF
the book, he said, are available at
the Diocesan Education office.
The NCWC Department of Edu.
cation eounseled principals of Cath
olic schools throughout the coun-
try to "endeavor to interpret your
school to the community by publi-
cizing its achievements in the sec
ular press or by taking part in
meetings of public school teachers
or by encouraging your pupils to
take part in various community
projects"
The department called the OBJ
servance IAN occasion to extend a
most cordial welcome to all who
would inquire about our purpose,
our work, and our achievements"
It called attention to the "in-
crease of antagonistic and bitter
criticism of Catholic schools" and
added that the criticism "boils
down to the charge that in Amer
ican education there is little or
no room for Catholic schools"
"Some of this criticism" il
points out, ''is the result of preju-
dice and ill-will, but most of it is
the product of misunderstanding or
lack of understanding about the
purpose and program of our
schools. Few of our critics have ev,
er seen the inside of a Catholic
school and even fewer have ever
talked to our school teachers. Their
knowledge of Catholic education
is based mainly upon prejudicial
and hateful caricatures of our
schools so widely publicized in
books like the BlanShard volumes.
Admitting that there is little
you may do to meet criticism bas
ed upon ill-will and preiudices,
the department adds that you may
do much to correct misunderstood
ing and misinterpretation of Cath
olic education"
"ThiS years theme. Unite fol
Freedom" the department wrote
SHOULD appeal to Catholic school
officials and teachers who may use
it to show the close relationship
between Catholic principles and
genuine freedom. This theme also
will allow for some iudicious at.
tention to the highly important
fact that the best protection OF
freedom of education is respect for
the rights of parents and the rights
of non-public schools.
"Above all, Unite for Freedom
suggests the importance of publ
cizing the idea that freedom cor
rectly understood is not mere i'm
munity from external coercion but
in truth. is the power to be human
in the discharge of all our duties
to God, Church. society. nature
and self"