By J1 Reporter Chloe Quinn

Over the past three years, Marian has been undergoing a program to help the community become more aware of its Catholic identity and mission. Led by Dr. Max Engel, Catholic Identity is a personalized plan that teachers have been implementing into the classroom. Dr. Engel is a Creighton professor and researches religious formation on instruction in Catholic schools. He is the main author of Name It, Claim It, and Build on It: Your School’s Catholic Identity. Principal Mrs. Susie Sullivan found that working with an expert would bring “higher intentionality to our efforts.”

She said the main objective is to “provide professional development and guidance to inform, evaluate, and implement strategies to enhance awareness of, and commitment to… Marian identity and mission.” The intended effect to be found through Catholic Identity is for the meaning of Marian to be clearly evident well into the future.

Through his research and discussions with the community, Dr. Engel developed a definition of what it means to be a Catholic high school in 2023, but also what it means to be a school sponsored by the Servants of Mary. He leads professional development days that build on each other, and the program involves independent and group work. 

Sullivan said the goal of it is to “effectively communicate the relevance of Catholic theology and philosophy to faculty and staff.” Additionally, it is important that the legacy of the Servants of Mary remains alive. As their numbers get lesser, faculty and staff will be able to carry their history and charisms into the future. 

Teachers have been asked to be more explicit with the meaning of the core values in their lessons. Using what teachers are already doing, Dr. Engel is finding ways for them to use Marian in Catholic terms. He asked them to “use core value language to explain what you’re doing and why you’re doing it.” The purpose of this is for the students to understand why a specific action or lesson connects to being a Catholic and an empowered female. The teachers are also tasked to ask the students why what they are teaching makes them better people. In other words, how girls can apply something in their lives to be more loving, inclusive, committed to justice, and compassionate.

The new murals in the stairwells are a result of intentional work on Catholic Identity. They are visual reminders to students of what it means to be compassionate and empowered Catholics. Additionally, teachers are referencing the Servants of Mary and the core values more in class. Dr. Engel said that “little of that was present prior to three years ago.” Students ten years ago or more did not receive the core values as part of their education; however, Dr. Engel said, “but it’s part of your experience… I think that’s a wonderful thing.” Present and future students will leave Marian grounded in the importance of living out what it means to be a Marian girl. 

Internally, it is evident to see the intentionality and visible displays of faith throughout the building. Sullivan said, “our identity and mission are front and center in everything we do.”

Students can be involved by paying attention to how teachers are connecting Marian’s values to their coursework. Also, they can embrace the faith opportunities within the school to see the core values in a different light. 

Dr. Engel has found working with Marian inspiring. He said, “You see your teachers as the ones who know everything…but I get to see them as ready to learn.” He has found that teachers are at Marian because they want to be and they appreciate what makes Marian unique.