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Dear
Sisters and Brothers in the Lord,
Catholic
Schools Week celebrations have become a tradition since its beginning in
1974. The various themes assigned over the years have pointed to the
outstanding characteristics of education in the Catholic School system.
However the 2010 theme, Catholic Schools: Dividends for Life is a
departure from the usual as it focuses on the grounding of our children
in our Catholic Faith which in turn prepares them for excellence and
success in whatever career or vocation they may choose. Our basic
vocation and mission comes from Jesus’ life, works and words. Baptized
in His name, we are expected to carry on the work of His hands in the
world. We cannot do this if we are not first grounded in the life and
practice of faith. Building the next generation with sound morals and
character has always been the primary mission of Catholic Schools.
St. Kieran
School is a special place and a great asset to our parish. Through the
dedication of Anthony Simone, our principal; the devotion, hard work and
excellence of our faculty and staff; and the generosity of our
parishioners as well as the sacrifice and efforts of our SKS families
and parents, we have given our children a valuable foundation in faith,
morals and academics. Through various service and charitable activities
— our school food, coat, and toy drives, sending cards to the troops in
Iraq and Afghanistan, collecting and sending toiletry items for the
troops just to name a few examples — we have striven to put faith into
action. St. Kieran School as well as all Catholic School communities
integrates service projects into the curriculum. Often these projects
center around the Christmas season which naturally lends itself to
responding to the needy. Lent is another usual time for planning service
or works of charity connected to sacrificing, a common theme of the
Lenten season. One of the dividends for life given to our children by
these projects is concern for others.
Jesus’
actions in response to the needy certainly must have made his disciples
uncomfortable and as well as left them wondering what following Jesus
might truly mean. Imagine what they were thinking when they observed
Jesus befriending the Samaritan woman at the well or developing a
relationship with Mary Magdalene, a known sinner. Jesus was clearly
choosing not to follow the common practices valued by the society of his
time. Outcasts were to be treated as such. Those considered to be lesser
individuals were to be shunned or at least ignored. For ourselves a
reflective reading of Jesus’ encounter and healing of the Ten Lepers
(Luke 17: 11-19) and his unpredictable friendship with the known cheat
and liar, Zacchaeus (Luke 19:1-10) will lead us to wonder about the
caliber of our character as well as the depth and width of our service.
Who among us invites the known sinner to supper or invites those with
contagious disease into our homes and families? The way of Jesus serving
others to his death demands courage and fortitude from those who would
be his disciples. It is these traits, and others, that our Catholic
Schools instill in those who attend. Today’s world presents people with
different needs than those encountered during Jesus’ time. Still, the
need to have our lives firmly established in Christ remains. It is only
through practicing the faith we profess that life reaps the rewards
promised by the Lord himself. Jesus expects us to be ‘salt of the earth’
and ‘light for the world.’
Catholic Schools:
Dividends for Life is a tremendously challenging theme. Faculties
and students who take it seriously and consider the deeper meaning of
their lives in Christ will become communities of active and faithful
disciples of Jesus as well as productive and contributing citizens of
our great country. They will positively influence the lives of many. The
first apostles and disciples grasped the deepest meaning of Jesus’ life
and teaching through faith lives; their sound moral decisions and their
care for others. They affected lives of untold millions in ways which
have not been equaled since. Choose to make a difference by sending your
children to or by promoting our St. Kieran School: St. Kieran School
reaps dividends for life.
Lord
Jesus, Son of God, Thank you for the gift of Catholic education. Day
after day, week after week, you give us many opportunities to grow and
learn. Help us respond to the gift of faith so that we may be recognized
as your disciples. Amen.
Let give
our hearts and minds to the Lord.
Fr. Joe |
