My dear brothers and sisters in the Lord,
This year, Catholic Schools Week is observed from Jan. 29 to Feb. 5 with the theme, “Catholic Schools – Faith, Academics, Service.” The logo is a triangle with the words “Catholic Schools” written in red across the bottom of the triangle. The “T” in the word “Catholic” is a purple cross that has an unfurling green banner with words in white letters proclaiming the theme, “Faith, Academics, Service.”
How important it is for us to recognize the unique role that Catholic schools play in the evangelization efforts of the Church. We must always maintain the Catholic identity of our schools.
I am happy to report that the Diocese of Brooklyn has made tremendous progress in capturing the already existing Catholic nature of our schools and encouraging some of our schools to become more Catholic and concrete in their identity. This has been one of the goals of “Preserving the Vision,” which as you may know began three years ago and continues today to be an instrument of strategic planning for the future of our Catholic schools here in Brooklyn and Queens.
Today, the Diocese boasts 97 Catholic Schools and Academies with a N-8 enrollment of 30,755. The number is down from our past history. However, our Catholic schools are stronger than ever before.
With the establishment of eight new academies in September 2012, joining the already existing 17 academies formed since 2009, we have a proven mechanism for maintaining the viability and insuring the Catholic identity of our schools. All of this is due to the tremendous effort on the part of our Catholic Schools Office under the direction of the Superintendent for Catholic Schools Support Services, Thomas Chadzutko, Ed.D., and with the daily supervision and collaboration of Sister Angela Gannon, C.S.J., Secretary for Catholic Education and Formation, and our Vicar General, Bishop Frank Caggiano.
All in our Catholic Schools Office, the Boards of Directors of our academies and the many volunteers who work on our School Advisory Boards must be commended for the countless hours given to the cause of preserving and developing the network of Catholic schools here in Brooklyn and Queens.
Catholic Schools Week gives us an opportunity to focus our attention on our Catholic schools, their administrators, our teachers and our students. A tremendous effort is being made by the pastors of our Diocese, both those whose parishes continue to sponsor parochial schools and those who serve as Members of a regional Catholic academy. Their efforts must not be forgotten. If it were not for the dedication, cooperation and support of our pastors, our Catholic schools would long ago have ceased to exist.
During Catholic Schools Week, I cannot forget to mention our parents who make great sacrifices to send their children to our schools so that they may receive a quality Catholic education. Catholic schools are always a joint venture between parents and educators. Catholic teaching reminds us that the responsibility for education relies primarily on the parents, and others assist them in fulfilling their responsibility.
For me, one of the highlights of Catholic Schools Week is when I visit several of the Catholic Schools in our diocese. The Catholic atmosphere is palpable during these visits, at which I like to play a game with the students that I call, “Stump the Bishop.” The students are able to ask me any question they wish.
After a number of years of playing this game, however, I now try to specify that the questions should be about religion, because two years ago I was stumped when one of the students asked me a question about the new math. Unfortunately, I do not know what the new math is about! But usually I can answer any question regarding religion.
At times, there are amazing insights which come out of the mouths of our Catholic school children, especially the younger ones who as we know always spontaneously say what is on their minds. Many times their comments to me contain deep insights regarding our faith. I remember several years ago when one young boy asked me a question that I thought was, “Do you have any pets?” But, since I did not hear his question clearly, I asked him to repeat what he said. When he did, the young boy said, “Do you give pep talks to the priests?” Truly, this was an incredible insight from a fourth grader. We all need pep talks; priests, deacons, men and women religious, principals, teachers, students and, yes, even bishops. Catholic Schools Week gives an opportunity for all those involved in our Catholic schools to receive a pep talk, reminding them of the great work that is accomplished even under great difficulties.
The whole effort of establishing Catholic schools and keeping them in existence has been an exercise in putting out into the deep, from the very beginnings of Catholic education two centuries ago until today. Sometimes we seem to be rowing against the tide, but at the same time we are making progress. All the efforts made for our Catholic Schools is well worth that effort. We will continue as a Diocese here in Brooklyn and Queens to do our best to support Catholic education in our Catholic Schools.