Catholic Schools: The Good News in Education

Jan. 25, 2007

Dear Friends in Christ,

Extra! Extra! Read all about it! Catholic Schools are the Good News in Education. As we celebrate Catholic Schools Week 2007, this is what we would hear on the street corner if we still had "Newsies" selling papers as we scurried off to work.

This edition of the Globe tells the many different ways that, as a Diocesan school community, we collectively celebrate the important role and mission of our Catholic Schools for our families, parishes, communities and the world. It is amazing to realize the many extraordinary stories of change you can find because of the lives that are touched by the mission of our Catholic Schools.

The first question that a good journalist would ask is "Why" are our Catholic schools such good news. The Nobel laureate, Marie Curie, once said, "You cannot hope to build a better world without improving individuals." Each change that is made in the world starts with the transformation of human lives by other human lives.

When students are formed in their faith both at home and at school by those who are committed to the special relationship between each other and with God, then we are indeed improving an individual. Even if we only changed one individual, we would be on our way to building a better world. But in the Diocese of Sioux City, we are changing the lives of over 6,000 students and thus have great hope to have a better world.

The teachers, administrators, pastors and all those who minister in the name of the Catholic Schools of the Diocese of Sioux City are excellent witnesses to the message of Christ. They understand the importance of providing families with a tradition of faith, knowledge and service.

These dedicated people in our Catholic Schools are clearly people who are strongly committed Christians who help promote the strength of the universal church through Catholic Education. These people are the "Who" in the Good News Story of Catholic Education.

As we celebrate this year's Catholic Schools Week, let us take the time to figure out our individual and collective contributions to the Good News in Education. Take time to understand why our story is part of the effort to improve individuals so that we can...and do...build a better world through our commitment to Jesus Christ.

May you be blessed as you find the ways to shout out your edition of this special message of Good News.

Yours in Christ,

Kevin B. Vickery
Superintendent of Schools