ABSTRACT
Character is fashioned within the school leaders’ life stories, virtues and the communities where they live, work and pray. The diminished presence of vowed-religious teaching/leading in schools does not automatically lead to a loss of their influence within the schools. Younger Catholics are often the product of a softer, less dogmatic, more ecumenical, religious education following Vatican II. It is difficult to parse out between the individual’s intimate communities that shaped their character and the influence of the national cultural community. There are several challenges inherent within contemplative practice, including the status of most Catholic educators as lay ministers, gaps in theological knowledge among current school leaders, teachers, and parents, and the tenuous link between parish life and Catholic schools. An implicit goal of contemplative practice is explicit faith formation and a connection to the sacramental and liturgical parish life.
