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By ROBERT TRISHMAN Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it. (Proverbs 22:6). HARRISBURG, Pa. - Throughout American history, and all over the world, churches and other religious groups have taken to heart this statement from the Judeo-Christian Bible, by opening schools to train and teach children. The Harrisburg area reflects that trend with Baptist, Catholic, Episcopalian, Seventh-Day Adventist, Presbyterian, and Jewish schools representing over 30 schools that make up the area’s religious education landscape. Each group has the same goal, to provide a good worldly education to children while giving them a good foundation in their respective faith. Many say that Catholic schools have accomplished this like no other. The history book The Story of America notes that Catholic churches originally opened schools to protect the children from anti-Catholic prejudice which was so prevalent in the early United States. The Very Rev. Edward T. Quinlan oversees all schools within the Harrisburg Diocese, but the Diocese’s website makes it clear who gives the orders. “The ministry of education flows from the mandate of the Lord to go into the whole world and teach the Good News,” it said. There are 39 elementary schools and seven high schools in the Diocese (including the immediate Harrisburg Area). One of those schools is St. Joan of Arc in Hershey. St. Joan teaches from preschool up to 8th grade. This school, as well as other Catholic schools, has “feeder parishes,” or Catholic parishes in the area that support the school financially and encourage families in the parish to send their children there. The Rev. Jim Podlesny, pastor of Holy Spirit Church in Palmyra, said that 60 of the 230 children in his parish attend St. Joan. Many do not attend Catholic school because they cannot afford the tuition. But Holy Spirit, like most other parishes, has a solution. “The public school children attend religious education classes on Sundays before Mass, since they don’t get that at their regular school,” Podlesny said. He also added that this education program, known as the Catechism of Christian Doctrine (CCD), helps the children prepare for the Holy Sacraments, the Church’s rituals of Reconciliation, Holy Communion, and Confirmation. He also said that only a few parishioners go on to one of two Catholic high schools in the area, Bishop McDevitt or Lebanon Catholic. Most of the religious schools in the area are Catholic or affiliated with another Christian denomination, but the Rabbi David L. Silver Yeshiva Academy has served the Jewish population for the past 60 years. Rabbi Silver, the first Jewish Rabbi in the Harrisburg area, started the school with the goal of providing Jewish children a general education as well as a love for Jewish life. Rabbi Alan Saks is the principal of Yeshiva, which also teaches children from preschool to 8th grade. He said, “We prepare our students for life. Half of the day is spent in general studies and the other half is spent learning Jewish tradition.” Students at Yeshiva will learn about the Bible, the Hebrew language, the Talmud, prayer, Jewish customs, history, and holidays. Yeshiva is a “community school” which means it accepts Orthodox, Conservative, and Reform Jews. Some Jewish schools strictly serve one of those three divisions, but Saks said that because Jews are a minority in the Harrisburg area (the school has 140 students), Yeshiva serves all of them. Some churches do not have formal schools, but still make sure their children are taught religion. Latter-day Saint (Mormon) children of high school age participate in the Church’s “seminary” program. Four area high school students gather in a church member’s home every morning at 6 a.m. for an hour of scripture study. Aimee Wingelaar of Middletown volunteers her mornings to teach the class. “I went through the program when I was in high school and it really gave me a good foundation in my faith,” she said. “It’s very rewarding to teach the class, I feel like I’m still learning!” For those who wish to continue a religious education beyond high school, Messiah College is one of the area’s best options. Messiah opened in 1909 with 50 students as a missionary training school for the Brethren in Christ Church. It is now a non-denominational Christian college with 2,800 students in over 50 majors. Messiah admissions counselor, Carolyn Johnsen, spoke of the religious influence on campus. “Students are required to attend 24 chapel services on campus per semester. These are intended to bring the body of Christ together in unity on campus,” she said, adding that these services are during the week, and many students attend local churches on Sunday. Another requirement is that students must take religious courses offered at the college, such as Bible study (of which there are a variety) or an Introduction to Christian History. The religious foundation of the college also influences many of the
policies. “We are an alcohol, tobacco, and drug-free campus because
we believe our bodies are sacred temples of God and we must take care
of them,” Johnsen said. She also said that only Christians may
teach at Messiah. “Each professor signs a statement of faith,”
she said, “Even if they teach math or biology, the Christian faith will
be brought up in every class. |
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