Pope Francis recently encouraged young Catholics to see Confirmation as “the beginning of a life of active participation in the Church,” rather than a symbolic “last rite” of their faith. His call highlights a pressing concern for Catholic school educators today: many young Catholics are leaving the Church in large numbers. This trend underscores the need for Catholic schools to remain strong sources of faith formation and community.
Despite these challenges, Catholic schools offer a powerful answer. Research shows that Catholic school graduates are more likely to pray, attend church and identify as Catholic as adults. This success goes beyond academic instruction or catechesis—it’s rooted in the meaningful relationships that Catholic schools nurture, which shape students’ lifelong connections to faith and community.
Over 150 years ago, St. John Henry Newman addressed how people arrive at deeply held beliefs. In his Grammar of Assent, Newman argued that people are ultimately convinced by ideas that resonate with their preexisting values, desires and hopes. For students, this means Catholic education must go beyond intellect and dogma, striving to form the “likings, desires and hopes” that align with Catholic values, a task achievable through intentional relationships.
The Holy See supports this vision, asserting that “faith is principally assimilated through contact with people whose daily life bears witness to it. Christian faith, in fact, is born and grows inside a community.” Modern research backs this up as well. Sociologist Samuel Stroope has found that “social embeddedness” is one of the strongest predictors of faith retention. Practically, this means students who build friendships within their Catholic communities are more likely to keep their faith into adulthood, as these relationships create a foundation where faith can take root and grow.
The absence of strong Catholic relationships, on the other hand, often leads to a diminished faith life. Researcher Phil Davignon points out that the primary challenge to retaining Catholic faith is not arguments against it but rather the weakening of families, parishes and schools that embody faith daily. Young people are not leaving the Church simply because of intellectual arguments; many have never experienced the beauty, truth and goodness of Christianity in a way that captures their imaginations.
While Catholic schools already foster these valuable connections, it’s critical for teachers and administrators to intentionally emphasize the skills that build healthy, supportive relationships. Now more than ever, nurturing strong relationship skills is essential for inspiring faith in future generations.
This is where Friendzy comes in. As a nonprofit, Friendzy is dedicated to raising a generation of faithful, compassionate friends who recognize God’s design for friendship. Built on scripture, our social-emotional character development curriculum helps students connect their faith formation with daily actions and interactions. Friendzy’s lessons equip Catholic school educators with tools to teach healthy relationships, stress management, focus and positive behavior—skills vital for cultivating a resilient, faith-filled school community.
We invite you to join our upcoming three-part webinar series designed for Catholic educators. The sessions will cover:
Session 1: "Understanding the Self: Cultivating Self-Awareness and Self-Management in Catholic Education"
Session 2: "Faith in Action: Guiding Responsible Decision-Making and Social Awareness"
Session 3: "Strengthening Bonds: Practical Tools for Building Relationship Skills in the Classroom"
Each session will explore how these essential life skills align with Catholic teachings and how Friendzy’s curriculum empowers teachers to foster a thriving faith-based environment. Join us as we work together to build strong Catholic communities for generations to come. The presenters are seasoned Catholic school educators with expertise in theology and educational practice.
David Anders, Ph.D.is a former schoolteacher and administrator and the former director of education and lifelong formation for the Diocese of Birmingham. Currently, he hosts the daily radio show, Called to Communion, for the EWTN Global Catholic Radio Network.
drdavidanders.com
Julie Emory-Johnson, Ed.D.is a seasoned classroom teacher, instructional coach, curriculum director and school superintendent who currently directs national partnerships with Catholic schools for Friendzy.
julie-ej@friendzy.co