Thank you for your interest in presenting at Boston College's G.R.A.C.E. Colloquium in June 2026. Please see below for important information regarding proposals, and submit your proposal here.
We are pleased to announce the Conference on Formative Education in Catholic Schools, which will be held on June 28-30, 2026 at Boston College. This conference will bring together educators, administrators, scholars, and religious leaders from around the globe to discuss the critical role of formative education within Catholic educational institutions.
Theme: Cultivating Hearts & Minds: Formative Education in Catholic Schools
In recent years — in response to a narrow overemphasis on subject matter and vocational training — educators, policymakers, and parents around the world have come to realize that a holistic, formative approach is needed. Catholic schools are well positioned to share their expertise in formative education with broader audiences. Documenting and communicating about this strength can both draw students to Catholic schools and allow Catholic school educators to serve as resources for colleagues in other systems.
Having long been recognized for their commitment to the holistic development of students — academically, physically, spiritually, morally, and socially —Catholic schools offer a distinct approach to education. This year’s G.R.A.C.E. Colloquium theme focuses on the concept of formative education, emphasizing the integration of intellectual growth with moral and faith-based development. We invite proposals for papers, presentations, and workshops that explore how Catholic education can shape not only minds, but hearts and souls, preparing students to be compassionate, ethical, and faith-driven members of society.
Theological foundations of formative education in Catholic schools
Innovative practices in integrating faith, academics, and moral development
The role of religious instruction in fostering student virtue and character
Leadership in Catholic schools and its impact on formative education
Catholic social teaching and its application in curriculum and community service
Formative education as a response to contemporary social and cultural challenges
Spiritual formation of teachers and staff in Catholic educational institutions
Pedagogical strategies for embedding values and faith into the learning environment
Collaboration between family, parish, and school in forming students
Case studies of successful formative education programs in Catholic schools
We invite abstracts of 500 words for consideration. Proposals for papers, presentations, and workshops presentations are welcome. Please submit your abstract via this Google form by December 1, 2025.
Submission Types:
Paper Submission- These submissions should represent original research or in-depth theoretical explorations. If your proposal is accepted, you'll be expected to deliver a formal oral presentation of your work, typically accompanied by a Q&A session. A full written paper based on your abstract will also be due for inclusion in the conference proceedings.
Presentations- Presentations offer a platform to share insights, case studies, practical applications, or ongoing research. Your presentation will be an oral delivery, often with visual aids, followed by an opportunity for discussion with the audience.
Workshops- Workshops are interactive sessions designed to provide practical skills, hands-on experience, or in-depth exploration of a specific topic. If your workshop proposal is accepted, you will be responsible for facilitating a participatory session that engages attendees through activities, demonstrations, or collaborative exercises. The focus should be on active learning and skill development for participants.
Other- If you have a creative idea for sharing your research, be welcome to propose this in your abstract submission given this other category.
Important Dates:
Abstract Submission Deadline: December 1, 2025
Notification of Acceptance: January 15, 2025
Conference Dates: June 26-28, 2026
This conference is open to:
Catholic school educators and administrators
Clergy and religious educators
Scholars and researchers in education and theology
Philanthropists and community members interested in Catholic education
Join us in this meaningful dialogue on how Catholic schools can continue to foster not just academic excellence, but also the spiritual and moral growth of students, preparing them for lives of service, faith, and leadership.
For more information, please contact us at rochecenter@bc.edu.
We look forward to your contributions and to a fruitful exchange of ideas that will strengthen formative education in Catholic schools.