All roads lead to Wichita.

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Thanks to Sarah Karp for examining trends in Catholic education in the United States ("Final Exam," September 2009).

As a parent in the Diocese of Wichita--where four of our five children have benefitted from "tuition-free" Catholic education--I would like to respectfully submit that the "Wichita difference" goes deeper than the ability to persuade Catholic families to tithe in support of Catholic schools.

This "ability to persuade" is rooted in a spiritual renewal--living as a grateful steward of God's gifts. Spiritual conversion comes first; the time, talent, and treasure follow.

Our liturgies are, for the most part, orthodox and invigorating. Perpetual Eucharistic Adoration in parishes is among the highest found any where--even our moderately-sized parish of 550 families manages this round-the-clock devotion--and our priestly vocations are among the highest in the country.

The "Wichita difference" can be captured anywhere!

Chuck Weber

Wichita, Kan.

Regarding "Final Exam," I fail to see how charter schools are an answer at all. Charter schools are not Catholic schools.

As the Eucharist is primary to the church, religious education is primary to Catholic schools. Religious education in Catholic schools goes far beyond formal religion classes. The spirit of Catholicism should permeate the entire school.

Patrick Cronin

Ocean Springs, Miss.