Strengthening Catholic Education: JHNI's Collaboration with Catholic Education Partners

Catholic Education Partners: Empowering Families, Advancing Catholic Education Catholic Education Partners (CEP) was founded in 2017 in response to the pressing need for a strong Catholic voice in the advocacy for parental choice in education. Rooted in the belief that parents are the primary educators of their children, CEP aims to provide more families with access to Catholic education. Through its advocacy efforts, CEP seeks to address the ongoing Catholic school funding crisis, safeguard the religious integrity and autonomy of parochial schools, and ultimately serve the Common Good. In partnership with state Catholic conferences, bishops, clergy, Catholic school leaders, and families, CEP works to advance policies that expand access to Catholic education, while ensuring that Catholic schools remain faithful to their teachings. The organization’s commitment to subsidiarity and solidarity drives its efforts, supporting and complementing the work already underway at the state and diocesan levels. Though independent from the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), CEP maintains a strong relationship with the bishops’ conference, having received its blessing upon inception. This bond is reflected in the leadership of the organization, with Board members including Bishop Thomas Daly of Spokane, Bishop Michael Barber of Oakland, and Bishop James Conley of Lincoln. Mary Pat Donoghue, the Executive Director of the USCCB’s Secretariat of Education, serves as board secretary, and past Board chairs include Archbishop Joseph Kurtz and Archbishop George Lucas.

Advancing Parental Choice in Catholic Education At the core of CEP’s work is the mission to advance parental choice legislation that supports the accessibility of Catholic education. Through collaboration with both religious and secular partners, CEP advocates for policies that expand the availability of choice programs, ensuring that Catholic schools can participate while upholding their religious identity. A key area of focus is the protection of religious liberty, which sets CEP apart from other organizations in the parental choice space. CEP’s efforts span the nation, not only working to expand existing programs but also assisting Catholic communities in leveraging current opportunities. The goal is to increase enrollment and eligibility in these programs, making Catholic education accessible to as many families as possible. To further its mission, CEP is launching Reficio, a new initiative focused on the practical implementation of choice programs. In partnership with C2, another Catholic organization, Reficio will assist local communities in navigating and utilizing these programs. In addition to it

s legislativework, CEP produces The Catholic Education Show, hosted by Shawn Peterson, President of Catholic Education Partners, and Kimberly Begg, Editor of Catholic School Playbook and author of "Unbreakable: Saints Who Inspired Saints to Moral Courage." This podcast explores the challenges and opportunities facing Catholic education.  CEP also participates in conferences and events to highlight the benefits of Catholic education and foster dialogue around its future.   For those interested in learning more about Catholic education, CEP has created a resource booklet, available here, to guide readers in understanding the vital importance of Catholic education and the ongoing work to support it.

                      The St. John Henry Newman Institute partners with CEP because of a shared commitment to fostering renewal in Catholic education across the nation. JHNI supports institutions like CEP that are focused on advocating for policies that protect religious liberty and ensure Catholic schools remain a faithful witness to the teachings of the Church. This collaboration amplifies the voices of Catholic schools and families, working together to advance a shared vision of accessible, faithful Catholic education. By supporting CEP’s initiatives, JHNI helps empower families to make educational choices that align with their faith.   Me

et Shawn M. Peterson, President of Catholic Education Partners Shawn M. Peterson, the President of Catholic Education Partners, brings over 20 years of experience in public policy and advocacy to the organization. Prior to joining CEP, Shawn served as Associate Director for Public Policy with the Minnesota Catholic Conference and worked on a wide range of legislative and policy issues, including those related to parental choice in education. His experience includes leading his own government relations firm and working in both state government and the Minnesota state legislature. Shawn is also a consultant to the USCCB Committee on Education and serves on the board of directors for the Institute of Catholic Liberal Education. A Third Degree Member of the Knights of Columbus, he is also a member of the American Enterprise Institute Leadership Network and serves on the board of the St. Croix Preparatory Academy Foundation. He holds a degree in International Relations and Russian Area Studies from Hamline University and is a graduate of the Archbishop Harry J. Flynn Catechetical Institute. He lives in Lake Elmo, Minnesota, with his wife and three children and is a member of Transfiguration Catholic Church.