Bishop Fisher takes a look at the upcoming Catholic Schools Strategic Plan

Work is being done on a strategic plan for Catholic elementary schools in the Diocese of Buffalo. Bishop Michael W. Fisher talks about what is going into the plan in his video series “Journeys & Insights.”

My Brothers and Sisters in Christ, peace be with you.

During our recent announcement of the Diocese’s final decisions on parish mergers and closures as part of our ongoing Road to Renewal, we mentioned that work is underway to craft a comprehensive strategic plan to strengthen Catholic education. That plan remains in the development stage, but I want to share with you some of the framework.

This strategic plan is intended to set our local Catholic schools in a unified direction over the next five years, and continue to make Catholic education available to all families who want it.

Since this process began in May, school families, principals, clergy, administrators from our Catholic high schools and universities, business and civic leaders, national experts, donors, and students have participated in surveys, focus groups, and interactive planning sessions. Together, they have explored best practices, shared valuable insights, and generated ideas to help shape our future.

Catholic schools already have a reputation for academic excellence and developing a sense of strong moral character in our students. Our strategic plan aims to strengthen Catholic education, improve our efforts to build Catholic identity, and create a sense of community among schools and parish families. It will seek to enrich the student experience, including more education and support for the child’s physical, behavioral, emotional, and social wellness. It will set a course for improving Catholic education’s workplace environment, leadership and governance, operational excellence, marketing, and financial viability.

Over the next year, we will be announcing new and enhanced programs for students with special education needs, options for families in the City of Buffalo, particularly on the East Side, as well as others who live in areas of the diocese where access to Catholic schools is limited. Our approach also includes enhanced options for virtual learning and home-schooling programs as well.

Our plans are not only limited to Catholic Schools, but are also inclusive of Faith Formation programs.

While the plan is still in development, I encourage our greater Catholic community to get engaged. Your concern and input only improves the chances for Catholic education to continue to succeed. We encourage parishioners who may not have children in our schools to also get involved. Every child represents a hope for the future of our faith, and let’s make sure we help nurture them now.

Our intent is to complete the plan by the end of 2024. We are committed to making thoughtful decisions that support our students in both our schools and faith formation programs, their families, principals, teachers, and all members of our community. Our goal is to create a strong system for Catholic Education for all those who desire it, both now and in the future.

I have visited many of our Catholic Schools over my past three and a half years as bishop. I look forward to these visits, because on each visit I see for myself the efforts of our dedicated educators, and the impact they leave on the children. Catholic education is a cherished and valuable ministry which should be preserved, and improved.

I thank you for your patience. I ask you for your prayers, for those working daily to build this strategic plan, and for the families and educators dedicated to keeping Catholic education viable for years to come. May God Bless us all.