February 5, 2010

EDITORIAL

Catholic schools pay dividends for the faithful

In the 19th Century, American Catholics, for the most part immigrants, were surrounded by a hostile culture that was suspicious of their faith and belittled them for holding onto it so tightly. What American society did not then understand was that for millions of immigrants, their Catholic faith and religious traditions were part of the treasure they carried from their homeland. It was in those familiar rituals and their belief in Christ’s saving grace that they found comfort from the hardships they faced.

Fearful that this hostile culture would drive a wedge between the people and the Church, the bishops of the United States set out on a bold initiative to nurture and grow the faith of their flock. The American Catholic school system was built to strengthen the faith of Catholic children while also arming them with the knowledge, morals and character to compete and succeed in American society.

The success of this initiative still glows today. We celebrate it each year during Catholic Schools Week, which has just concluded.

Catholic Schools Week is more than a collection of open houses, musical programs performed by bright-eyed grade-schoolers, special luncheons to thank faculty and staff, or a day to exchange school uniforms for sweatpants and pajamas. It’s a testament to the important work the Catholic schools continue to do nurturing the faith and building the foundation for success for their students.

The motto for this year’s Catholic Schools Week was “Dividends for Life: Faith, Knowledge, Discipline, Morals.” Those are the dividends Catholic schools have been paying for nearly two centuries.

We can see those dividends in the exemplary test scores and in the list of college scholarships Catholic schools students in the diocese earn each year.

We can see those dividends in the busloads of Catholic school students who travel to Washington, D.C., to participate in the March for Life each year, praying for an end to abortion and a restoration of the value of life in our nation.

We can see those dividends in the response of Catholic school students to those in need, trying to ease suffering whether it occurs in their own community or in a far-off land.

The Catholic school system has been and continues to be successful because it offers more than challenging academics. Lots of schools can do that. What sets Catholic schools apart is their ability to instill in children a sense of faith and community and morals that will carry them throughout their lives.

Unfortunately, a Catholic school education is not available to everyone. For some families and parishes, the cost is prohibitive. There are other ministries that nurture and grow the faith in the children of those families and parishes. But even if obstacles such as location or cost keep us from sending our children to a Catholic school, there are ways we can all support Catholic schools. And we should support them because we all can recognize the many ways Catholic schools benefit our Church.

The Catholic school system has been a gift that we should treasure, just like our immigrant forefathers who saw in them a pathway to success and salvation.

Photo by Rick Musacchio: Cole Shaver, left, and Carlisle Brown, both kindergarten students at St. John Vianney School in Gallatin, have their throats blessed during the all school Mass held as part of Catholic Schools Week.