Pastors say maintaining Catholic identity in parish schools is their top priority but admit a huge percentage of their time is consumed by school-related financial issues, according to a recent nationwide study.

In a workshop titled, "Faith, Finances and the Future: The Notre Dame Study of U.S. Pastors" held April 15 at the National Catholic Educational Association meeting in Anaheim, speakers from the University of Notre Dame highlighted results of a survey focusing on pastors' expressed needs and attitudes toward Catholic education and parish schools.

Survey findings of more than 1,000 pastors of parishes with schools showed that, while most respondents agreed fostering Catholic identity topped their list of concerns, issues related to finances and school viability occupied the majority of their time.

One in four survey participants cited enrollment management as an ongoing struggle. Many expressed concern about aging school buildings, half of which were built before 1950. Others worried about the large proportion of parish resources required to keep schools open. And, 70 percent said they did not perceive that the mission of their school was supported by a Catholic college or university.

"That's a problem," said Anthony Holter, one of two Notre Dame speakers at the NCEA workshop. "There's a tremendous opportunity here for real partnerships between Catholic colleges and universities and K-12 Catholic schools."

According to fellow Notre Dame presenter James Frabutt, the pastors who responded to the survey, representing 17 percent of pastors with parish schools nationwide, revealed a deep and abiding passion for Catholic schools.

He noted many pastors said Catholic schools have been positive agents of social change. "Lots [of pastors] talked about the ministry of inner city Catholic schools and the awesome alternative they are for many children and families," said Frabutt.

Keeping Catholic schools functioning in an age of dwindling resources and declining enrollment will require ways to decrease expenses and increase revenues, said Holter.

To reduce expenses, he suggested regional Catholic schools band together to take an "economies of scale" approach when contracting for employee health care or paying for utilities. To increase revenue, he advised moving from a "fund-raising model to a development and institutional advancement model [providing] a longer vision of financial sustainability" supported by "a strong diocesan vision as well."

To promote faith and Catholic identity in schools, Holter had a number of recommendations: broader public leadership roles for school faculty and staff in the parish; spiritual renewal programs for teachers and administrators; and education as a model for all ministry in the parish, including adult education.

Looking at Catholic schools through the lenses of faith and finances comes down to a value proposition, which "is theological in nature … and requires a call for re-evangelization of our Catholic faithful," commented Holter.

"Said in another way," he added, "the problem is not finances, or enrollment or Catholic identity… It's about living a life that recognizes the Incarnation, that God has a plan that constantly unfolds in our life every day.

"I think the future of our Catholic schools and our church depends upon whether or not we can communicate that [truth] in a compelling way, especially through our Catholic schools."