In December, staff from Ohio’s six dioceses — the Archdiocese of Cincinnati and Dioceses of Columbus, Cleveland, Toledo, Youngstown and Steubenville, which represent more than 350 Catholic schools statewide — gathered for inter-diocesan meetings sponsored by the Catholic Conference of Ohio, the official voice of the Church on public policy in the state.
A two-day summit, held at Hilliard St. Brendan the Navigator Church, was designed to foster communion and collaboration to advance Catholic education across the state.
The annual meeting opened with Mass celebrated by Bishop Earl Fernandes, concelebrated by Father Sean Dooley, pastor at St. Brendan; Fathers Weldit Tesfazghi Abay and Sam Severance, parochial vicars at the parish; and Deacon Paul Ward, head of schools for the Steubenville diocese.
The second day of the summit featured keynote speakers, including Ohio’s governor, and breakout discussions on topics relating to today’s educational landscape.
Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine addressed the science of reading and best practices to teach reading to students of all abilities. Lt. Gov. Jim Tressel shared insights about the Team Tressel Fitness Challenge, a statewide initiative to support students’ physical and mental wellbeing by developing life-long habits in fitness, nutrition and sleep.
Other speakers discussed issues specific to non-public schools, including representatives from the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce and members of the Alliance for Catholic Education at the University of Notre Dame.