Celebrating Catholic schools

January 27, 2005

Dear Friends in Christ,

Each year, we as Church, are called to set aside a week for the purpose of celebrating our Catholic Schools. This year from Jan. 30 through Feb. 5 there is an opportunity to express in different ways the reality we have of our "Faith in Every Student."

During this week many individual Catholic Schools (over 8,000 in our nation) will give praise to something they believe to be very special, namely, the fulfillment of the command "To teach as Jesus did." There will be found a series of activities proclaiming how faith in every student is appreciated and valued by our parishes, our communities, and our nation. The students themselves will demonstrate their love and appreciation for the extraordinary commitment that is made for their faith growth by parents, school faculty and staff, and other parishioners of good faith.

When all of these expressions and events are combined it is truly a reflection of how we wish to fulfill the common purpose given to us at our Baptism, to carry out Christ's saving mission by being zealous in living out our faith. We cannot do it alone - we need to work together. In our Catholic Schools we believe that it is here where Faith, and Knowledge meet. It makes our society and our world better now; it builds God's kingdom now; it will ensure that same result in the future because we have Faith in Every Student.

I wish to take this occasion, in the name of the Diocese, to express my deep gratitude to all the administrators, teachers, pastors, staff, parents, and the many friends of our Catholic schools for their work, their zeal, and their commitment to our Faith. Your witness of faith and your tremendous generosity allows our Diocesan Catholic Schools to be excellent places of education as well as places where faith of every student can be nurtured and practiced each day.

Congratulations to our Catholic Schools: You are something very special. May the efforts of all be blessed by our loving Father.

Sincerely yours in Christ,

Rev. Msgr. Roger J. Augustine
Diocesan Administrator