The History of Catholic Schools in America and The Seperation of Church and State

  • President Thomas Jefferson and The Separation of Church and Sate

    President Thomas Jefferson writes a letter to the Danbury Baptists Association which is often quoted in debates regarding the separation of church and state. The quote that is often stated is, "wall of separation between church and state." McCarthy, B. (2010, October 08). The origin of "separation of church and state.". Retrieved from http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/987191/posts
  • Catholics Cause a Religious Conflict

    Catholics make New York City the center of religious conflict when they demanded a share of the state educational funds that were being monopolized by the Public School Society. Spring, J. (2011). The american school. (8 ed.). New York, NY: McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
  • Governor William Seward Supports Catholic Schools

    Governor William Seward believed state money for the support of Catholic schools was necessary to achieve a centrally controlled and expanded system of education, which was necessary for the health of society. Spring, J. (2011). The american school. (8 ed.). New York, NY: McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
  • Governor Seward Proposes an Idea to State Legislature.

    Seward was worried that immigrant children, mostly Irish, would never learn how to read and become public burdens. This is when he proposed to the state legislature that Catholic schools become part of the state school system while retaining their private charters and religious affiliation.
  • Riots!

    Riots start between anti-Catholics and Irish Catholics because the Protestant community was outraged by Governor Seward's proposal. Spring, J. (2011). The american school. (8 ed.). New York, NY: McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
  • Philadelphia Creates Bible Riots

    Philadelphia public school board ruled that Catholic children could read thier own version of the Bible in public schools.The children could also be excused from other religious instruction. Protestants thought of this as an attempt by Catholics to exclude the Bible from the schools. Spring, J. (2011). The american school. (8 ed.). New York, NY: McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
  • Irish flood into major U.S. cities

    By 1845, a million Irish people had immigrated to the United States. The major states the Irish settled in was New York and Boston. The potato famine had killed a million people in Ireland creating millions of Irish citizens to pack their bags and escape starvation. Spring, J. (2011). The american school. (8 ed.). New York, NY: McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
  • University of Wisconsin-Madison Opens

    The University of Wisconsin-Madison opens and had its first class of 17 students. Spring, J. (2011). The american school. (8 ed.). New York, NY: McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
  • Second Plenary Council

    The Second Plenary Council emphasized the principle "that religious teaching and religious training should form part of every system of school education." Spring, J. (2011). The american school. (8 ed.). New York, NY: McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
  • First public school kindergarten in the United States

    The first public school kindergarten in the United States was opened in St.Louis, Missouri. I hated kindergarten but would love teaching it now! Spring, J. (2011). The american school. (8 ed.). New York, NY: McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
  • The Third Plenary Council

    The Third Plenary Council sent forth officials orders for the establishment of a system of Catholic schools. Spring, J. (2011). The american school. (8 ed.). New York, NY: McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
  • NCEA

    Catholic educators formed a new organization, the National Catholic Educational Association (NCEA).
  • Court endorses "Wall of Separation"

    In Everson v. Board of Education, the Supreme Court rules that government funding to bring students to and from their parochial schools does not violate the First Amendment’s establishment clause. http://inthefray.org/content/view/2707/27/
  • Catholic Wins Presidency

    John F. Kennedy becomes the first Catholic president. Kennedy gave a speech before a group of Protestant ministers in Houston, Texas, that stated: “I believe in an America where the separation of church and state is absolute, where no Catholic prelate would tell the president (should he be Catholic) how to act, and no Protestant minister would tell his parishioners for whom to vote.” Kennedy won by 0.1%.
  • Public School Prayer Banned

    In Eagle v. Vitale, the U.S. Supreme Court banned prayer in the public schools. This was a way to prevent “the indirect coercive pressure” that occurs “when the power, prestige and financial support of government is placed behind a particular religious belief.”
  • Title IX

    This law states that "no person in the United States shall on the basis of sex be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any education program or activity receiving federal financial assistance."
    This personally helped me because it made more scholarships available for womens athletics. Maybe with out Title XI, I would have never received a scholarship to play soccer in college.
  • Nation at Risk

    The Reagan administration gave a report, A Nation at Risk, which blamed public schools for America's difficulties in competing with Japan and West Germany in world affairs. Spring, J. (2011). The american school. (8 ed.). New York, NY: McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
  • Religious expression permitted in public places

    The Supreme Court throws out a ban by the Los Angeles airport of members of 'Jews for Jesus' passing out religious pamphlets. This is the first of several “free speech” rulings over the next two decades that allow religious expression in public settings, as long as it is initiated by private individuals or groups, rather than government officials. The Court ruled, that a Christian student club or organization in a high school could meet after class.
  • Darcy Marie Riley Arrives Into The World!

    I was born a week late and everyone thought I was going to be a boy. The named set up was Shamus. A strong Irish name. When they found out I was a girl they were so excited because they loved the name Darcy (which also is very Irish) and already had three Irish named sons!
  • I am Baptized into the Catholic Church

    Just as a newborn baby, this is when my journey as a Catholic started.
  • I Start in a Catholic School!

    I started at St.Hilary Catholic School in August of 2005. I will have continued on with Catholic Education until June 2007.
  • My Irish Grandfather

    My grandpa died the day after St.Patricks Day. We joke that he had to go to Church and have one more beer before passing. He is the person who taught me all about my heritage and religion. He was a true Irish Catholic.
  • Started Irish Step Dancing

    I was not allowed to be part of the 'Ancient Hibernian Club' with my brothers and father so I was guided to my first Irish step dancing practice and would continue dancing and learning about the Irish traditions for five years until soccer took over!
  • I get kicked out of religion class for the first time!

    The priest brought up a subject that I completely disagreed with. I spoke my mind and immediately was excused from class. The principal called my parents and told them not to send me to a Catholic school if they were going to "sway my beliefs away from the Catholic church." My dad responded, "we let Darcy make her own beliefs and glad she is thinking for herself."
  • St.Brigid, the Generous

    In the Catholic Church you become an adult when you have your Confirmation. This is a time when you "re-commit" to the Church. You have to choose a saint to be your religious leader. This was very important to my family and me not only because it is a stepping stone in the Church but because I chose the saint, Brigid. She advanced Christianity in Ireland and opened a monastery that is famous for its hospitality. She was radical in more ways than one, which is why she is my "favorite saint."
  • Continuing my Catholic Education

    I started at Walsh Jesuit High School in August of 2007. It was my choice to stay at a Catholic school but I also knew no different. By the end of high school I was ready to try something different!
  • Labre Project

    The Labre Project was originally created at St. Ignatius but Walsh picked it up my senior year. The idea of the Labre Project was to feed the homeless while also offering a friendship. Every Monday night we would get in a van and go to downtown Akron with sandwiches, soup, and hot chocolate. This was a step in my education.I realized everyone has a story and deserves equal opportunity. Some of these men had a college education, families, and an occupation before their worlds came crashing down.
  • Graduate High School

    I graduated from Walsh Jesuit High School and felt ready for the next step!
  • I Start College at a Public University!

    September 2, 2007 I began taking classes at the public university, University of Wisconsin-Madison.
  • Obama Takes Office

    President Barack Obama is elected into office. This will affect my education because Obama was a milestone in any perception of having a racist America. Equal opportunity for all!
  • College Graduate

    I graduated from University of Wisconsin-Madison which was a huge accomplishment. Playing a sport while keeping my grades up was very difficult so when it was all done...I was very proud. I really was thankful for my family and past education for guiding me to this point.