Newman Guide Ushers in New Era of Catholic Education
In the early centuries, Catholic monasteries were the hubs of cultural transformation, and communities were built around them. Today, Dr. Marcus Peter argues that it’s the faithful Catholic schools, colleges, and graduate programs in The Newman Guide that are the new hubs transforming the culture.
Many Catholic schools and colleges in America have greatly secularized. Catholic school enrollment has declined two-thirds, and many colleges today face closure. But there is good news for faithful Newman Guide institutions, the next era in Catholic education.
At Newman Guide Recommended schools and colleges, the “sacramental life and Catholic intellectual tradition form the heart of the community,” says Dr. Peter. These places are “great forces of cultural change” and the “way forward” for the Catholic Church in America.
Dr. Peter, a Catholic biblical theologian, apologist, and preacher, was recently named host of a new international radio show, “Ave Maria in the Afternoon,” which is produced by Ave Maria Radio and syndicated through the EWTN Radio Network. His show “examines culture, Church, and current events through the lens of faith from the heart of the Church—to show how Jesus Christ is Lord over all facets of life.” Dr. Peter also serves as Director of Theology and Flagship Radio and TV Host for Ave Maria Radio.
Originally from Malaysia, Dr. Peter was an atheist who moved into Pentecostalism and then found his home in the Catholic Church in 2010. Mostly self-taught in theology, Dr. Peter wanted to find an institution where he could deepen his understanding, but he was disappointed overall with what he found.
“I desperately wanted to go somewhere where fidelity to the Magisterium was upheld,” said Dr. Peter. “In Asia, fidelity to the Magisterium is a rare thing, especially institutionally.” Even at a Catholic seminary, he was dismayed with the teaching.
But all that changed when he found Ave Maria University’s graduate program in theology, which is recommended in The Newman Guide.
Ave Maria University “made its hallmark stalwart fidelity to Christ’s teaching office,” said Dr. Peter, who completed his master’s degree in systematic theology in 2018. “It was a life-changing experience, and I’ve been grateful ever since.”
Dr. Peter’s views on education are impacted by his own time as a student and as a high school teacher. “I have seen how institutions of learning that are not devoutly Catholic, even some that claim to be Catholic, systematically work to break down the seeds and the heritage of the faith that the children bring from their homes.”
“There is no way that you could pay me to send my children to a university that will seek to attack or destroy their faith in Christ, no matter how established a name the institution has,” said Dr. Peter. “My bride and I are determined to send our children to Newman Guide universities. We want to give our children a fighting chance for their salvation.”
High Standards, National Recognition
Since 2007, The Newman Guide has recognized faithful Catholic colleges — and last year it expanded to also recognize elementary and secondary schools and graduate programs. To be recognized, an institution must provide substantial information and adopt policies for academics, student life, personnel, and more to give assurance that students will be formed in the Catholic faith and will be educated in fidelity to Catholic teaching.
The Newman Guide’s high standards are critical. It is the guide for Catholic families in a lost and hostile culture.
When Molly Metzgar and her family were planning a move to Virginia, she sought a faithful Catholic school for her children to attend. Molly’s first thought was to check with The Cardinal Newman Society.
It was on our website that she found information about Saint Rita Catholic School in Alexandria, Virginia, which is recommended in The Newman Guide.
“Your Guide has a big influence on Catholic families,” Molly told us, “probably even bigger than most school leaders recognize.” Among Molly’s Catholic friends, The Newman Guide is known as the guide to a faithful Catholic education.
Just recently, The Cardinal Newman Society helped two new colleges, The College of St. Joseph the Worker in Steubenville, Ohio, and the Catholic Institute of Technology in Castel Gandolfo, Italy, earn provisional recommendation in The Newman Guide. Once these institutions have graduated their first students, they will have the opportunity to receive full Newman Guide recognition.
“The Newman Guide has been instrumental in connecting us with like-minded Catholics who share our mission to establish and grow authentically Catholic colleges and universities,” said Alexis Haughey, co-founder of the Catholic Institute of Technology.
Whether at an independent Catholic school, parochial school returning to its roots, hybrid program, new Catholic college, or innovative Catholic graduate program, leaders are invited to work with the Newman Guide staff of The Cardinal Newman Society to confirm the institution’s strong Catholic identity and connect with Catholic families across the country.
“I can’t stress enough that The Cardinal Newman Society should be on the radar screen of every parent,” said Mark Brumley, president of Ignatius Press, in a recent interview. He said The Newman Guide is “an invaluable tool serving the mission of the Church and serving so many families.”
From K-12 schools to graduate programs and beyond, The Newman Guide offers a path to a seamless, faithful Catholic education. If you’re looking for a bright light—the new era—in Catholic education, look no further than The Newman Guide.