Who Will Lead the Fight to Catholicize the Summer Reading Lists at Catholic High Schools?

The Culture of Life Review ^ | 3/28/2014 | Brother Decan

[Diago]

Last summer, Carl E. Olson at Catholic World Report, exposed the horrendous state of Catholic high school summer reading lists by highlighting one particularly smutty and ludicrously vulgar novel assigned to incoming freshmen at St. Ignatius High School in Cleveland.  And St. Ignatius wasn't alone - a quick google search revealed that dozens of other Catholic schools had assigned the same poorly written piece of garbage. 

We really don't want to revisit here all the gratuitously lewd, crude and lascivious passages in this very unfortunates selection for teen reading. But for purposes of background and so that others can grasp the gravity of the problem at hand, we encourage readers to review Carl Olsen's important article in Catholic World Report, Why do some Catholic schools require students to read lousy, vulgar books?, the Cardinal Newman Society Report on the situation,   "Jesus Burpeth" is Catholic School Required Reading?, and the College Fix article, Catholic Schools Assign Vulgar Books As Required Reading.    There is also an interesting insider's account at Est Quod Est, Eternal Vigilance.

It is simply a fact that most Catholic high school summer reading lists contain drivel and frequently anti-Catholic drivel.  So what do we do?  Olson's article last year created a minor stir in Catholic blogoshere last year (here, here, and here), but it is doubtful that many Catholic parents are aware of the problem and it is likely that Catholic students will once again be assigned to read garbage this summer. 

It is time to fight back.

Can one obscure Catholic blog like ours make a difference?  We don't really care.  We are simply fighting back because it is the right things to do.  If you would like to help as well, because it is the right thing to do, we have a couple of ideas.

One of the saddest and most mystifying aspects of this whole thing is that Catholic students are being assigned to read drivel when there is such a rich treasure trove of Catholic literature out there.  As Olson noted last summer:

If I was a parent whose child was required to read that book, I would have some questions for the English teacher, beginning with this one: "Have you never heard of Ignatius Press?" And, as a follow-up: "Or of the Ignatius Critical Editions?

Why would a Catholic school not assign a summer reading list chock full of inspirational books about the lives of Catholic saints and heroes?  In twenty lifetimes, one couldn't read all the great Catholic books out there.  Do Catholic schools really prefer books about cynical perverted punks over The Ear of the Heart: An Actess' Journey from Hollywood to Holy Vows or Father Damien and the Bells?

If you have a child or grandchild at a Catholic high school, don't wait any longer.  Most high schools have their reading lists on their website.  Review the list for questionable material.  Contact their high school today with some suggestions.  Ask why more Catholic books are not included.  And it bears repeating, provide them directly with a list of wonderfully positive and inspirational books about Catholic saints and heroes. 


And how about adding a prolife book or two to Catholic school summer reading lists?  The Hand of God: A Journey from Death to Life by the Abortion doctor who changed his mind, Dr. Bernard Nathanson, is a gripping page turner that should be a must read for every high school student.

We at The Culture of Life Review would love to see  Priests for Life, Human Life International, American Life League, National Right to Life, Life Dynamics, or even Lila Rose and her great organization Live Action help promote this cause.  And how about the fast growing and tremendously energetic organization Students for Life ? What a great cause for them to pursue. We urge these outstanding prolife organizations to publish their own summer reading lists for students and to get these lists into the hands of decision makers at Catholic high schools.  A truly low cost way to win hearts and minds.

This battle will not be won over night.  Please pray that all Catholic schools will realize the importance of their mission and begin to pass on the Faith to our children.





 

[yldstrk]

Hahn’s stuff is great

[Diago]

There are so many emerging Catholic apostolates, authors, publishing companies that would really get a deserving boost if the huge market of Catholics schools would start purchasing authentically Catholic books from them and resources from them. I really hope this picks up some steam.

[Diago]

For some reason we Christians like to expose ourselves to the spiritual diseases of this world. Increasingly our Christian leaders are making sure to expose us.

It is crazy. Defund those who are promoting things contrary to God's will and promote and fund those who are doing God's will.

[Salvation]

Perhaps we all need to contact our local Catholic School and ask for the Summer Reading List.

Then offer our own.

[Diago]

I agree. I think the key is to offer alternatives in a friendly, positive and enthusiastic way.

[fatima]

I didn’t,I just called and said my kids are not reading that .I chose different books and they left us alone.

[Diago]

I didn’t,I just called and said my kids are not reading that .I chose different books and they left us alone.

Oh, I agree. When it comes to my own kids they would never read such garbage. But we are talking about something bigger. And that is changing the culture for the hundreds of other kids in the school whose parents just don't pay attention to such things. Trying get the great books into their hands. Trying to change their hearts and minds through great Catholic literature. It is a challenge. But it is a battle worth fighting.

[fatima]

Go for it-Prayers ((((Hugs))))

[taterjay]

“Some parents are lazy and some parents are overworked and too tired to supervise properly.”

There is more to monitor and oversee for sure. Parents have always been overworked, but you used to be able to at least have peace in the home. Now if it is not TV, it is computer, the phone, the radio or Ipod. No peace and parents must be on top of it all. Then when the kids are out, they are indoctrinated in school. Not a positive picture.

[Bigg Red]

Needs proofreading.

[onedoug]

Any or all of the books of Dr Thomas a Dooley III.

I went on a few MedCap ops among the Vietnamese populace and always thought of him in that process.

[Salvation]

A great reading list here:

http://www.staycatholic.com/reading_list.htm