Your Appeal Dollars at Work

What’s So Great About Catholic Education?

Our Lady of Fatima School, Monroe

In many ways, a Catholic education is no different than other school settings. For example, the following are some of the things taught in Catholic schools: • A sentence to be a sentence, must contain a subject, a verb and be a complete thought, • Two plus two equals four, and • Mexico is to the south of the United States and Canada is to the north. Pretty standard stuff, wouldn’t you agree? So, what’s so great about Catholic education and why should we be concerned that it is available to as many children and families as possible? The answer to that question is not in the “what” of education but in the “why.” Much like having an educated electorate - something Thomas Jefferson stated as a “vital requisite for our survival as a free people” - the Church has many arguments for the place and purpose of Catholic education. From the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, we hear: “Our schools serve both the faith community and society by educating children, young people and adults to contribute to the common good by becoming active and caring members of the communities, cities, and nation in which they live.” There seems to be something to this, in that: the percentage of Catholics who are engaged in public service occupations (healthcare, military service, public safety, politics, etc.) is significantly greater than the percentage of U.S. citizens who identify as Catholics. Certainly Catholic schools are not the only source for the formation of the faith and promoting our consideration of the common good. Our religious education programs (for youth and adults) also play an important role in advancing our development in having - a mind and heart for God and neighbor. But, as our schools are about to open for a new academic year, we should be mindful that our support for Catholic education – through the Annual Diocesan Stewardship Appeal – is our support for the Church and society. So, what’s so great about Catholic education? It’s all in the “why.” The following quote can be found at the entrance of many Catholic schools across the nation. Let’s pray for our schools that this remains the case:

“Let it be known to all who enter here that Jesus Christ is the reason for this school, the unseen but ever-present teacher in all its classes, the model of its faculty, and the inspiration of its students.”