Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio joined with educators from throughout the Diocese of Brooklyn to celebrate the opening of the 2013-2014 school year at the Immaculate Conception Pastoral Center, Douglaston, Sept. 3, the feast day of St. Gregory the Great.

He encouraged teachers to become great teachers and “be able to communicate to your children the love of God as you show them your own love and concern for them.”

Bishop DiMarzio asked those gathered to remember the teachers that left an impact on them and impressed upon them that “it is that teacher that loved you, or showed concern, or went out of their way for you that you remember.” He encouraged teachers to become the teacher that cares for his/her students and instructed them that like St. Gregory the Great, “your greatness will come from your love of God and your ability to teach people the path to God.”

Anthony Biscione, senior deputy superintendent of schools, delivered the first reading and Diane Phelan, associate superintendent for evaluation of programs and students, led the intercessory prayers.

Dr. Thomas Chadzutko, superintendent of schools, also offered words of welcome and thanks. “We gather this morning in the spirit of community,” he said. “We gather as part of God’s family here throughout the Diocese of Brooklyn to celebrate with our bishop, Bishop DiMarzio, the opening of our schools. We join with parishes, schools and academies throughout the diocese, to ask the Holy Spirit to enlighten us to begin this new school year in a spirit of collaboration and community.”

“We begin this journey,” closed Dr. Chadzutko, “with our principals, our teachers, our pastors, our parish priests and our bishop, because we never give up on Catholic education. We never give up on the lives of the children entrusted to us.”