Catholic schools light path of faith

Jan. 24, 2008

Dear Friends in Christ,

Again we come to the time of year when we take time to focus on the importance of our Catholic schools to our students, community and the world. It comes at a time of year when we have started to move towards longer days and the sun shines brighter each day. Just as the sun grows in its intensity, each day our children are provided an opportunity to be in Catholic schools they grow in their faith so that the light that was given to them at baptism continues to grow stronger to light their way as the follow Jesus Christ. The flame on that candle of baptism is lit from the great Easter candle reminding us that our life in Christ comes from the new light of the resurrection. This is the first step to insure that as a community we "Light the Way" for our children.

A tradition in many countries of the Northern Hemisphere is the lighting of luminaries along a path or a road. Each flame is an individual candle which alone can only illuminate the spot in which it is placed. However, when there are many luminaries placed along the path, then the traveler can follow the path.

Likewise, our Catholic schools are filled with such luminaries. We begin with our parents who model their Catholic faith in the home as the first teachers of our faith, they are then joined by the many teachers, catechists, pastors and others who share in the teaching of our faith. Together, with the light provided by our benefactors and prayerful supporters, the over 6,000 students of our diocese's Catholic schools are able to follow the way of discipleship in Jesus Christ.

It is our hope and prayer that each child who attends our school comes to share in the responsibility to witness our work in the world. Our students and graduates will go into their chosen careers with a commitment to serve others, to model moral integrity and to be seen as Christ-like in the way they encounter others. Our students will become the beacons of light that will light our world with the presence of Christ in their everyday lives.

During Catholic Schools Week 2008, may we all rekindle in our lives the light that gives us purpose. Let us hold high in our daily lives the baptismal light we were given to light the way for others to find Jesus Christ in their lives.

May you be Blessed as you carry your light into the world.

Yours in Christ,

Kevin B. Vickery
Superintendent of Schools