Early exposure to work of Dante, Petrarch, St John of the Cross and Desiderius Erasmus opened my mind to the intellectual foundations of a humanistic approach to culture and education. Discovery of the theological work of Joseph Ratzinger (Pope Benedict XVI) triggered a desire to see how theology and Christian humanism were sure foundations for Catholic education. A key finding of my research is the need to have a balanced relationship between catechesis and religious education. There is a need for much more data on aspects of the mission of Catholic education. Research in Catholic education is one way to deepen understanding of the Church’s mission to education but also to act as a spur to dialogue with people from other traditions.