Research by ND sociologist Christian Smith helps shape nationwide Catholic initiative | News | Notre Dame News | University of Notre Dame Skip To Content Skip To Navigation Skip To Search University of Notre Dame Notre Dame News Experts ND in the News Subscribe About Us Home Contact Search Menu Home › News › Research by ND sociologist Christian Smith helps shape nationwide Catholic initiative Research by ND sociologist Christian Smith helps shape nationwide Catholic initiative Published: August 19, 2013 Author: Michael O. Garvey “Strong Catholic Families, Strong Catholic Youth,” an initiative that brings Catholic parishes and schools together with Catholic families to strengthen and deepen their faith, is now active in some 60 dioceses in the United States and Canada. Christian Smith According to those who conceived, organized and now direct this new and growing movement in youth ministry, social science research conducted by Christian Smith, William R. Kenan Jr. Professor of Sociology and director of Notre Dame’s Center for the Study of Religion and Society, has been instrumental in the development of the program. Particularly crucial were the findings of the National Study of Youth and Religion (NSYR), a study directed by Smith of the lives and religious practices of American young people. “The NSYR research certainly served a wake-up call to the Catholic Church, and one that came just in time to help fix a broken system in need of transformation and renewal,” said Robert McCarty, executive director of the National Federation for Catholic Youth Ministry (NFCYM). “It served to both motivate and guide our efforts in developing the initiative which has now been embraced by so many dioceses to help the church partner with parents to bring home the faith.” “Parents have actually welcomed the challenges that Christian Smith and his colleagues have illuminated through the NSYR research,” said Michael Theisen, NFCYM director of membership services. “Rather than feel overwhelmed and helpless, many parents have chosen to step up their efforts at passing on the faith now that they know both the great responsibility and great benefits that are brought about through these efforts.” For his part, Smith is simply pleased that his academic work has been useful. “It makes me very proud,” he said. “I’m happy to have done scholarship that makes a real difference in people’s lives, and am glad too that Notre Dame social science research can be of service to the Church.” Posted In: Faith Research Home Experts ND in the News Subscribe About Us Related June 01, 2022 University of Notre Dame to establish consortium of Catholic universities to study Muslim-Christian relations January 31, 2022 New book explores the role of Catholic peacebuilders in addressing global mining issues December 09, 2021 Vatican’s focus on moral and ethical impact of new technologies “a challenge to do better,” scientists say April 09, 2021 Notre Dame helps Catholic Church with underutilized real estate March 29, 2021 The truth about Christ lies in contradiction, philosopher finds For the Media Contact Office of Public Affairs and Communications Notre Dame News 500 Grace Hall Notre Dame, IN 46556 USA Facebook Twitter Instagram YouTube Pinterest © 2022 University of Notre Dame Search Mobile App News Events Visit Accessibility Facebook Twitter Instagram YouTube LinkedIn