Forming Connections: Catholic Schools During the Pandemic, A Comparative Case Study
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Authors
Schwerdt, Mark Thomas
Issue Date
2025
Volume
Issue
Type
Thesis
Language
en_US
Keywords
Catholic Education , COVID-19 , Multiple Case Study , Social Connectedness
Alternative Title
Abstract
In this comparative case study, I explore how COVID-19 influenced Catholic identity as evidenced by a school's ability to keep and promote a culture of connectedness throughout the pandemic. Safety protocols while necessary changed nearly every aspect of established routines. While these protocols enabled schools to gather for in-person learning, they also brought about new forms of fear, isolation, and disconnectedness. I gather data from three unique schools within a larger network distinguished by the Cardinal Newman Society for their keen ability to communicate Catholic identity per adherence to Church guidance. While all three schools are coeducational and located in one specific region, each represents a unique student population from Prekindergarten to Grade 12. In Chapter 1, I explore the phenomenon – the influence of the pandemic on human connections – and provide some context on Catholic school communities. In Chapter 2, I share insights from the scholarly literature regarding the impact of the pandemic on schools and furthermore, share evidence about the human need for connection. Over the course of my study, this basic need is viewed in light of how the pandemic challenged, for better and worse, the way people were able to connect with each other and with God. In Chapter 3, I discuss my research design, the comparative case study method, and how I applied this method to gather and analyze data. In Chapter 4, five themes are identified that present a pattern of how COVID-19 was experienced across the three case schools. In Chapter 5, I propose four evidence based strategies to help school leaders maintain a culture of connectedness should another pandemic or worldwide crisis occur.
Keywords: COVID-19, Catholic education, multiple case study, social connectedness
Description
2025
Citation
Publisher
Creighton University
License
Copyright is retained by the Author.
A non-exclusive distribution right is granted to Creighton University and to ProQuest following the publishing model selected above.