Dividends for Life, a former Catholic Schools Week Theme – draws attention to the many beneficial aspects of a Catholic education.  In these tight economic times, the theme also reminds parents that these dividends – faith, knowledge, morals and discipline-truly are payable for life.  There’s no better way to invest in a child’s future! 
 
Catholic Schools - Witnesses to the Faith
As the Gospel narrative of the life of Jesus concludes, it paints a picture of the Lord sending his followers to share with others the good news.  Today we are asked to envision ourselves with those disciples who are called to spread the Gospel.  We are part of that same body of disciples.  Centuries may separate us from the initial group of followers who were sent as witnesses, but nothing separates us from Christ and his challenge to us today.
 
The words “You are my witnesses” echo in the pages of the Acts of the Apostles (1:8) where we find an account of the early church.  In living continuity since those days, the church has passed on the word – the revelation – that introduces us to Jesus of Nazareth, God’s Son, the Word come among us.
 
Catholic education is all about teaching the faith.  Catholic schools exist to provide our children with an opportunity not only for academically excellent education, but also a faith formation that will serve them for the rest of their lives.  In our structured, organized religious education efforts, Christ’s voice is heard today and his Gospel announced.
 
In whatever form, Catholic education has as its primary task the communication of the person and message of Christ.  The threads of the encounter with Christ and his life-giving message are woven into the fabric of our human experience.  During his visit to the United State, our Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI, told us, “Education is integral to the mission of the church to proclaim the good news.  First and foremost, every Catholic education institution is a place to encounter the living God, who in Jesus Christ reveals his transforming love and truth (cf. Spe Salvi 4).”
 
The future of Catholic education is intimately tied to our ability to manifest clearly our identity, the uniqueness of our message and its life-giving quality.  All who are a part of this effort are profoundly aware that wherever we teach, catechize, instruct of from, we must do so with the explicit realization that ours is intrinsically an invitation to encounter the living Lord and do within His church.
 
Over the years, our Catholic schools have played a significant part in the mission of Catholic education.  They are a proven instrument for passing on the faith.  Historically the church has turned to Catholic schools to help carry out her teaching mission.  Catholic schools are a gift to the whole community and are recognized as centers of learning that foster personal development and growth, enriched with a sense of self-fulfillment and worth, and guided by basic and essential moral values.  It is precisely because of our history, and what we achieve today in Catholic schools, that we can look to the future with hope and confidence.
 
For information on how your charitable donation can assist in sponsoring a child’s education in a Catholic School, contact:        
 
Christine Wanjura
Superintendent of Schools
(806) 795-6477