Catholic Schools: Sharing Our Faith

by Betty Larson OSB, Director of Catholic Schools

During the last weeks in January, Catholic schools across the nation joined in the celebration of Catholic Schools Week. Our diocesan theme for this year is: Catholic Schools: Sharing Our Faith. This theme was chosen in the light of the diocesan choice of RENEW as our extended millennium celebration.

There are 18 elementary schools and three high schools in our diocese. The total enrollment in pre-K through 12 is 3,502. These schools are staffed by a total of 263 teachers. This total includes 5 full-time sisters and 5 part-time sisters. There are 4 priests who serve in the schools part-time. The remainder of the staff is made up of lay people. All of these staff members are very dedicated to their ministry of teaching the young people of our diocese.

In September, all of the teachers and administrators and many pastors gathered to hear a presentation by Dr. Elinor Ford. Her message could be summed up in two words: Faith Alive. In her presentation she challenged the teachers to be always aware of the need to not only teach the students about faith and about God, but to assist them in building a personal relationship with God. She spoke of the importance of each teacher - no matter what subject they are teaching, to share their faith with their students. The living witness of a deep relationship with God is key to the evangelization of the young.

The faculty and students of the schools have also taken part in RENEW during the first season. The focus for the students in the elementary schools was the Sunday Readings. They discussed these readings with their classmates. Teachers from the schools were either involved in a parish small group, or in a faculty group. This provided a great opportunity for all to be an active part of what was happening in the Diocesan Church.

Outreach and service projects have taken on a new importance in the schools. Many are involved with local nursing homes, elderly in the parish, food shelves, and with others who may need their assistance.

This experience of reaching out teaches the students to look beyond themselves and their world.

As we look to the future,we express our gratitude to each of you, who in so many ways support our schools, and pray that this excellent source of education will be available to more of the students in our diocese.

We have three excellent high schools in our diocese: Holy Trinity, Winsted, Cathedral, New Ulm, and St. Mary, Sleepy Eye. Their enrollments are limited by district lines, parish boundaries, and transportation availability. What can we do to make this opportunity of 12 years of Catholic education a reality for more of our children? Have you ever considered having an area Catholic School - supported by a group of parishes? These are challenging issues for parishioners, as well as for the parents and other citizens of the community. Until legislation gives each parent a real choice in the education of their children we will continue to be cut off from this opportunity.

Declining enrollment in some of our rural schools is raising many questions for administration. How can we continue to provide a Catholic education for such small numbers of children? What other forms can education take? What are some new models of education that we may explore?

As we celebrate Catholic Schools Week with schools across the nation, let us express our gratitude for the gift of schools in our diocese, and ponder the questions that challenge us for the future.

Catholic Schools: Sharing our Faith!