"Catholic Schools Week"

February 02, 2010

Year for the Priest

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

This is Catholic Schools Week. It gives us all an opportunity to reflect on the contributions that Catholic education has made to our development as a Church here in the United States. We owe a deep sense of gratitude to the religious women and men who have historically dedicated themselves to forming and informing the young minds of the Catholic community.

We all have our favorite teachers who gave us a sense of dignity. I remember, with fondness, the sisters that taught me in grammar school. They emphasized the importance of study and striving for excellence. They made me feel proud to be Catholic and stressed the importance of knowing the faith.

I remember one sister, my third grade teacher, who brought a radio into class so we could listen to an address and blessing given by Pius the XII. We dutifully knelt around the radio as the pope’s voice pronounced the blessing. We thought this was so cool and we felt connected to the universal Church.

All of the sisters taught us to be socially responsible with clothing drives and canned good collections for the poor. During Lent, we saved our pennies for the missions and “ransomed pagan babies” for the Church.

We celebrated the feast days and on All Saints’ Day we were allowed to dress as one of our favorite saints. I dressed as St. Michael (the patron saint of our parish). I had a huge wingspan and a neat plastic sword. Even though I was an archangel, I was not allowed to draw my sword during the school day.

In my high school (minor seminary) days, we were again encouraged to pursue intellectual achievement and understanding of the value of language, but most importantly the discipline of study. My teachers, now priests and laity, taught me the importance of being critical and respectful in my quest for knowledge. I look back with fondness on those days where individuals of faith guided my growth and development.

Last Sunday, I celebrated Mass for the parishioners of St. John the Evangelist Parish, Greenfield, and visited their school to begin Catholic Schools Week. I found a school community filled with pride.

Enthusiastic and supportive teachers set up displays of the disciplines they taught or themes appropriate for the grade level in their classrooms. The principal, in turn, strives to make Catholic education accessible and affordable now and for future students. A pastor, who loves his community, inspires the children to live their faith.

The students explained some of their science projects on magnets, freezing points and the bouncing of balls. All these budding scientists amazed me with their interest and dedication.

What I experienced was a parish that took the mission to educate our young students very seriously. On Monday, I celebrated an all schools Mass at St. Joseph High School, Kenosha.  The students, accompanied by their teachers and administrators, were filled with spirit.  Many of the kindergarten and first grade students helped me with my homily and, as you can imagine, some of their suggestions brought smiles to the faces of those participating in the liturgy.  I toured the school and specifically noticed the advanced technology used in the labs and simulations, as well as the interactive computers used to conduct experiments.  I was highly impressed and immediately wanted to register for classes.

Visits such as those I mentioned above, make me think about Mother Elizabeth Ann Seton, Katherine Drexel and all the communities of religious women and men who sacrificed so that we, as a Church, could have educated congregations. They would be proud to see their efforts are still valued and cherished by parish communities channeling their energies and resources for the viability of Catholic education.

Since this is Catholic Schools Week, may I suggest that you visit your local Catholic school? See for yourself the good work being accomplished. It will make you proud and bring back memories.  Perhaps you might even think about a favorite grammar or high school teacher and offer a prayer for them. Your faith was reinforced by their dedication and, in many ways, praying for them is a most appropriate way to demonstrate the lesson you learned.

God love you! See you at Mass!


Most Reverend Jerome E. Listecki

Archbishop of Milwaukee

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