Why Catholic Schools

Catholic Schools Week is being observed in the United States from January 29 to February 5. This year's theme: "Faith, Academics, Service," highlights the purpose of our Catholic schools and underscores the need for their presence in our country, where closings are occuring at an alarming rate. Schools and churches were top priorities of the immigrant population of the late 19th century and early 20th century. Grateful for the opportunity to work even for meager wages, families put aside money each week to support their parish with its schools and convents, for they believed that the passing on of the faith to their children as well as the splendid education they would receive in the Catholic/Christian tradition was the best they could do for their children. Still today, families sacrifice to give their children the same opportunities. With an emphasis on our faith, as first and foremost in the educational experience, not only as an academic subject, but in an atmosphere where its values permeate the culture of the school, it is clear that Catholic schools are an important building block for the faith of the next generation. A school where faith, respect, compassion, love, acceptance, good order (discipline), strong emphasis on service, academic excellence, and over-the-top support exists, will result in happy, well-prepared adults who will be responsible, honest, caring and faith-filled citizens who will help our country maintain its ideals from generation to generation. I know I can say that in looking back at the Catholic education I received from grammar school through college and university studies...all in Catholic schools,,,, it had a profound and formative influence on me. May we support them with our prayers and our pockets. They are definitely worth the investment.
Bro. Rene