How do Catholic schools help you as a parent focus your students on the light of Jesus Christ?

Jan. 24, 2008

"I have appreciated the opportunity for our children to attend Seton Grade School, as I fell the school has helped me focus my children on the light of Jesus Christ by the way they show a caring relationship with each student. They show the light of Christ in the way they teach and help us shape our values in life. This filters down to my children in the way they respect one another and care for others." - Colleen Kenyon of Whittemore for Seton Grade School, Algona

Catholic Schools help us keep our children focused by telling them we chose to send you to a Catholic school because we know that the families, staff, and other students are all there for the same reason. We have the same goal in mind - we want you to have an education that allows faith to be incorporated into the classroom. It reinforces what we expect from them at home. - Parent from Bishop Garrigan Catholic School, Algona

"Catholic Schools help in many ways as student, family, community and as children of God. Catholic Schools bring the light to our houses and the Faith to our homes. Catholic Schools teach us as parents how to keep our family stronger with prayers at home. They also teach our children to be better leaders in our community and the best in the future when we, as parents, won't be in their lives. Catholic Schools give our children the faith in God and the foundation that they need to continue in life." - Cristina Mauricio, parent of two St. Rose of Lima School students, Denison

"Emmetsburg Catholic School has helped reinforce the values our children have learned at home and to help our children apply these values in life. At school, the teachers have the opportunity to apply the Gospel values throughout the day from science and social studies to recess. Our older children still rely on the values they learned athome and at Emmetsburg Catholic School. - Jean Reedy, Emmetsburg Catholic School Parent Emmetsburg, IA

With our daughter in Transitional Kindergarten and our son in 4th grade, our school has blessed our family through different perspectives. With our daughter, Gehlen Catholic helps our family keep the core teachings of the Christ front and center in all we do. As for our son, who is bombarded by messages from the media and internet, Gehlen Catholic supports us in facing the social issues that are in opposition to what God is asking of us and how Jesus wants us to be to others. Equally important, our Catholic schools have strengthened our faith through the parents we have been blessed to meet and know. We have more than friendships - we have a family in Christ who truly cares and supports us. - Lorraine Murphy, Gehlen Catholic Elementary parent

"Having my children enrolled in a Catholic School serves as a constant reminder that we must listen to Christ and live in his light every day. A Catholic centered education nourishes not only the mind, but the spirit as well. A constant nourishing of the spirit reminds us that our faith is not something we live only on Sunday morning and Wednesday evening; rather we live our lives as children of God at all times, in all places, so that we may be of service to others through the light of Christ." - Kim Keller, Pocahontas Catholic Grade School parent

"As a parent I feel privileged to have my children at a Catholic school. It's so nice to know that the school is reinforcing and teaching the same values my husband and I are trying to teach at home. It brings us closer together as a family." - Rhonda Leuer, Sacred Heart Grade School parent, Sioux City

"In the simplest aspect, a Catholic school provides a physical environment where the signs of Jesus Christ can be displayed. The emotional aspect provides the daily routine of prayer and the importance of "talking" to Jesus Christ. With prayer and the signs of Jesus Christ being a part of the student's daily environment, there are opportunities for the student to experience the light of Jesus Christ and express their Christian feelings in an environment that encourages students to make decisions based on "what would Jesus do?" - Cindy Pudenz, St. Mary's School parent, Storm Lake