Making a difference

Posted January 23, 2003

Dear Friends in Our Catholic School Community,

One of the greatest excitements in life is anticipating the arrival of something that is great, especially when you have not experienced that feeling. As the Superintendent of Schools for the Diocese of Sioux City, I am anticipating the experience of Catholic Schools Week for the first time.

Each of our schools and the supporting parishes are planning many activities to celebrate the excellence of the Catholic schools in their communities and in our diocese. As we take the time during Catholic Schools Week to put our educational ministry programs in the spotlight, let us not forget that each week of the school year is a Catholic Schools Week.

As the days of the week are celebrated in focusing on each aspect of the Catholic school mission, our students, parents, teachers, administrators, pastors and communities will continue to examine the theme of Catholic Schools Week: "Catholic Schools: Making a World of Difference." Making a World of Difference is done by each person connected to Catholic schools being committed to making a difference for themselves and in their local community. Catholic schools make a difference in our world because of the actions of the people who are in them.

Throughout this week, we will recommit ourselves to opening the doors to every child who comes to learn the values of a Gospel-based setting and committed to worshipping and serving others with the structure of a faith community.

Our parish communities can be renewed in recognizing the difference that they have made by providing a safe and nurturing environment in which our children can learn and grow in all aspects of personal development, especially spiritually.

As a teacher or administrator, may you be reaffirmed in knowing that each time you touch the life of a child, you have made a difference in his or her life. The parents and families should be encouraged by their commitment to serve our schools as positive role models and leaders.

All of this is done in the realization that our future is based on the differences that each of our students will make on the world. It is with spiritual formation that we are able to share in our Catholic schools and be assured that the leadership of the future will continue to be influenced by the values that permeate our Catholic school experience.

At the end of Catholic Schools Week 2003, when all of the activities and festivities have allowed us to rejuvenate the spirit of our Catholic schools, we will realize that it is the many people who make up our Catholic schools that Make the Difference in Our World.

Yours in Christ,

Kevin B. Vickery
Superintendent of Schools
Diocese of Sioux City