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Dear Sisters and Brothers in the Lord:
As we begin our celebration of Catholic Schools’ Week, I
would like to offer some reflections on the value and importance of
Catholic education. Let me first disclose to you all that I have
benefited personally from twenty years of Catholic education (eight
years of Catholic elementary school; four years of Catholic high school,
four years of college seminary and four years at Mundelein Seminary).
Catholic education doesn’t just take place within ‘school buildings’ but
also in Religious and adult education programs, Order of Christian
Initiation for Adults courses, faith-sharing groups and many other ways
and modes. All of these endeavors have one aim and goal: the spiritual
and moral formation of the faithful, whether they are children, adults,
youth or seniors. Catholic education helps all believers live the Faith
we profess more purposefully and visibly.
However, Catholic Schools offer one aspect that the
other educational. spiritual and formational programs do not: the
opportunities to create a Catholic culture to further instill the values
and truths of the faith in our children. This “Catholic
culture” is formed by the example of parents, faculty and, of
course, the parish at large. We walk -- not just talk the truths of
Faith for the benefit of our children and to pass on what we received
from our parents and they received from their parents and so forth ---
straight back to the Apostles. If Catholic
schools do not strive to help make our children committed Disciples of
Christ by forming them spiritually as well as academically then I submit
to you-Catholic schools have failed in their mission.
Notice if you will I said help to make our children
disciples; it is the parents that are and continue to be THE FIRST
teachers of their children in the practice of Faith. Catholic schools
cannot nor were they designed to be surrogate parents. Catholic schools
supplement what is already taking place within the homes of Catholic
parents.
I want to thank all our parents, parishioners, and
benefactors who support St. Kieran School. I thank also the devotion and
dedication of our faculty and staff who so generously and unselfishly
give of themselves for the spiritual and educational benefit of our
children. We can look forward with hope to the future prospering and
success of our parish and school based on the continued support,
generosity and efforts of all who love and cherish this local faith
community. St. Kieran School will be in operation for the
2008-2009 school year---any other statement is an outright lie—do not
believe it!
That being said I want to recognize and acknowledge Mr.
Anthony G. Simone, our principal for his leadership, ministry and
sustained vision of the discipleship Christ calls all who attend our
school to follow, whether Catholic or not. There are some, albeit a
very few but who are nonetheless quite vocal, that would disagree with
my praise and respect for Tony. But in the six months I have been with
you as your pastor I must say that I have been humbled and awed by
Tony’s obvious love for and dedication to our children, our school and
parish. He is a man of faith striving to live what he professes. Has he
done this perfectly? — No. But he does give it all he has each and
every day. I hope the same can be said of all of us. For this is what
Jesus asked us to do- to be faithful to Him --- not perfect.
Perfection comes with eternity.
So I say thank you Mr. Simone---Tony--- for who you are
and all you do to model Christ for us at this parish. You are a great
gift to this parish and to me. Keep the Faith!
Let’s give our minds and hearts to the Lord! --Father
Joe |
