Several years ago, I was struck by Robert Putnam’s insights in Bowling Alone. He contends that Americans have become disconnected by failing to participate in social clubs and group activities such as bowling leagues. Now Americans are bowling alone. As attendance and participation in churches has also declined, the impact on Catholic schools has been significant. Vibrant Catholic schools at the center of vibrant parishes seem to be the exception, not the norm.

I grew up in that type of vibrant milieu. My mother was in the guild and the parish bridge club. My father helped organize the adult coed volleyball league and helped coach soccer teams. My parents were in a Renew group, various prayer groups, and were confirmation sponsors. Our lives revolved around the church and school, both of which were full. Although SMM is still a vibrant school, I have seen former classmates drift away from the church and have seen weaker ties from those who remain.

As we all try to recruit more students to our schools and draw more back to our pews, we all confront the struggle of how to create a community which people want to join. We all can recognize the divisions in our society, our politics, and in our church that continue to pull us all apart.

So I was intrigued by the topic of Putnam’s new book The Upswing: How America Came Together a Century Ago and How We Can Do It Again. He points out that the Social Gospel—emphasizing community and equality—took root during the Progressive era of the late 1800s and replaced social Darwinism and the American individualist and market capitalism mindsets.

Progressivism is receiving new scrutiny these days with some critics simply calling it socialism. If you go back to the early 1900s, all parties had progressive elements (including the original cowboy president, Teddy Roosevelt) and the reforms were popular, including: secret ballot, initiative & referendum, popular election of senators, women’s suffrage, federal income tax, Federal Reserve system, protective labor laws, minimum wage, antitrust statutes, food & drug regulation, public utilities, the high school movement, libraries & parks, etc. (318) The New Deal was an outgrowth of progressivism and represented a time (along with World War II) when America displayed more social cohesion.

Putnam traces a number of different factors which showed that America became less cohesive after the middle of the last century in similar ways to the previous century. He maintains that a movement to unite around common principles could bring about a change in our collective mindset to focus on the common good. This focus might lead to stronger community associations like Catholic parishes, Catholic schools, and, yes, even bowling leagues.

Want to keep up with the conversations surrounding Catholic education? Set up your own Google Alert, subscribe to this newsletter by clicking "follow," subscribe to the Catholic Schools Daily, or subscribe to the Catholic School Matters podcast.

Dr. Tim Uhl

Check out the past episodes from this season:

• 12 Christmas podcasts: Michael Deegan of the Archdiocese of NY, Nicole Garnett of Notre Dame law school on religious charters, Maka Black Elk on truth & healing, Dr. Jeannine Hill Fletcher on The Sin of White Supremacy, Dr Leslie Lipovski from the Diocese of Arlington & St. Isidore Virtual Catholic School, Mary Flock of the Diocese of Orange & St. Polycarp Virtual Catholic School, Bruce Davis of Catholic Virtual, Jeff Hausman of AVLI, Kyle Pietrantonio of DIA Schools, Sr. Angela Ann Zukowski of VLCFF, Frankie Jones of ACE, and Mike Derrick of San Diego Cristo Rey HS.
• Thought Leaders: Dave Stuart, Jr., George Couros, Dr. Christian Dallavis from Partnership Schools; Dr. Debbie Sullivan & FADICA reports;
• Pandemic-focused podcasts: Fr. Eric Ramirez, SJ from Regis Jesuit HS; John Galvan from the Diocese of San Diego; Elizabeth Goettl, CEO, Cristo Rey Network; Dr. Tim McNiff of Engineering Tomorrow.; Dr. Brandi Odom Lucas of Verbum Dei (Cristo Rey) HS; Jenny Oliver, the principal of St. Joe's in Auburn, CA; Br. John Montgomery, FSC, the principal of Cathedral High in Los Angeles; Leanne Geise, president of Dominican High in Wisconsin; August 19, 2020 Bea Kaleva (MT attorney) on COVID-related legal issues;
• August 12, 2020 Dr. Daryl Hagan of the Diocese of Evansville on reopening

Jan 18, 2021 "School Boundaries"

Jan 11, 2021 "Reading List on Racism"

Jan 4, 2021 12 Days of Christmas Podcasts

Nov 9, 2020 "God in Disguise"

Nov 2, 2020 "Sharks and Survival"

Oct 26, 2020 "Mt. Rushmore Controversy"

Oct 19, 2020 "The Cleveland Partnership"

Oct 5, 2020 "Governance Reform"

Sep 28, 2020 "Autonomy & Radar"

Sep 21, 2020 "Learning While Doing"

Sep 14, 2020 "Connecting the Disconnected"

Aug 31, 2020 "Racial Injustice"

Aug 24, 2020 "Figuring it Out"

Aug 17, 2020 Serenity Prayer

May 24, 2020 Value Proposition During Uncertain Times

For previous newsletters, click this link