Planners excited about hosting 2008 education convention

The “Top Ten” reasons for holding the 2008 National Catholic Educational Association’s annual convention in Indianapolis? The answers were provided during this year’s convention in Baltimore by Msgr. Joseph F. Schaedel, vicar general of the archdiocese, and Annette “Mickey” Lentz, executive director for Catholic Education and Faith Formation. (Submitted photo)

By John Shaughnessy

Kathy Mears gets excited just thinking about the archdiocese’s first-ever opportunity to showcase its education efforts and the city of Indianapolis to more than 10,000 people from across the country.

That’s how many people are expected to arrive in Indianapolis when the archdiocese hosts the 2008 National Catholic Educational Association’s annual convention on March 25-28—an event that will include the involvement of Catholic school teachers and students from throughout central and southern Indiana.

To prepare for the event, a group of educators from the archdiocese recently attended this year’s convention in Baltimore—a group led by Msgr. Joseph F. Schaedel, vicar general of the archdiocese, and Annette “Mickey” Lentz, executive director for Catholic Education and Faith Formation.

As an associate director of schools for the archdiocese, Mears will be among the leaders, under Lentz’s direction, who will plan the event at the Indiana Convention Center in Indianapolis. She recently answered questions regarding her thoughts and some of the archdiocese’s plans for the event. Here is an edited version of her responses.

How did Indianapolis earn the right to host next year’s convention?

Mears: “It has been a long process. Actually, we were scheduled to host in 2005, but when Indianapolis won the [right to host the] NCAA Women’s Final Four [in basketball], we gave it up to Philadelphia. At least 11 years ago, NCEA visited Indianapolis, after we offered to host and put forth a proposal. This is the first time that we are being given the opportunity.”

The archdiocese sent a contingent of people to this year’s convention in Baltimore. What did the group learn that will help you next year?

Mears: “We learned lots about organizing a convention, what perceptions folks have about Indianapolis—good and bad—and some things we would like to duplicate, things we would like to do differently and things we would not like to do at all. Many folks told us they had never been to Indianapolis and thought there would not be anything to do. They also thought it would be a blizzard.

“We had to emphasize we are totally connected from hotel to convention center, and that they did not have to go outside if they did not want [to]. We also stressed we have lots to do. We are hoping that the [Indiana] Pacers, White River Gardens, the Indianapolis Zoo, etc., will help us to make sure that we have great events at a very low or no cost to our delegates. We will also be looking at sponsors to help fund these events so the archdiocese does not incur costs.”

You’ve mentioned that the convention will allow the archdiocese to “showcase the great things that are happening in Catholic education in our own backyard.” What are some of the elements you hope to showcase?

Mears: “The results of Project EXCEED—our Teacher Advancement Program work, our work with the Hispanic population, our work with special-needs students, and our success in working with the Blue Ribbon Schools. We also have a new Urban School Consortium that is working to make sure that Catholic education has a place in our inner city. Our curriculum model is highly sought by others, and the work we are doing in this area will be shared.”

You also see the convention as a place to highlight success stories in Catholic education across the country. Share one or two success stories that stood out from the convention in Baltimore.

Mears: “Louisiana, specifically the Gulf Coast. Those schools are making a big difference and are growing stronger with the help of other Catholic schools from across the country. Priests, administrators and teachers from all over Louisiana thanked us—Indianapolis—for our help and talked of the difference that they are making because of our support.”

More than 10,000 people are expected for the convention in Indianapolis. What are some of the plans for them while they are here?

Mears: “Baltimore had a sports theme, and although I would love it and it seems a natural for Indianapolis, we don’t want to repeat that. We are thinking of doing a ‘green’ convention and focusing on the stewardship of our planet, one of the Catholic social teachings that we think students should know lots about, but nothing is definite yet. We also want to show the country how we work effectively with the business community and develop partnerships with them, especially for Project EXCEED and our new Providence Cristo Rey High School.

“We will hold a Priests’ Day, which Monsignor Schaedel attended and really liked [in Baltimore].”

How will the convention affect Catholic schools in the archdiocese?

Mears: “We will have teachers working the convention, students singing, students displaying artwork, students, teachers and principals volunteering, and lots of other things. Most schools will be in session, but some will have altered schedules and may begin spring break earlier to help facilitate teacher participation. Many of our schools will be using these days as professional development days so that their teachers will be able to learn from Catholic educators from across the country.”

What is the ultimate purpose and hope for the convention?

Mears: “To bring Catholic educators from across the country to Indianapolis to pray, play and learn. We want the country to know that the Church is alive, well and thriving in Indiana, that we are working to meet the challenges of Catholic education and that we view those challenges as opportunities. Our theme is ‘Crossroads: Where Challenge Meets Opportunity.’ We will utilize it to further develop the convention program and events.” †