Hard to believe that summer's almost over and school about to begin again. But the beginning of another school year affords us a perfect opportunity to reflect on the value of our Catholic schools and to affirm and thank all who are involved in this good and important work.
In 1997 the Congregation for Catholic Education at the Vatican issued a statement entitled, 'The Catholic School on the Threshold of the Third Millennium.' The introduction of the letter stated its purpose: 'On the threshold of the third millennium education faces new challengesÉ The Congregation for Catholic Education therefore address this circular letter to all those who are involved in Catholic schooling, in order to convey to them a word of encouragement and hope.' The letter then goes on to delineate the joys and challenges of Catholic education throughout the world today.
The statement emphasizes that the Catholic school doesn't exist merely as an alternative to the public school. On the contrary, a Catholic school is a work of faith and its ultimate purpose is essentially related to its place in the Church. 'This ecclesial dimension is not a mere adjunct, but is a proper and specific attribute, a distinctive characteristic which penetrates and informs every moment of its activity.'
In other words, if a Catholic school is to justify its existence, if it is to fulfill its mission, it must be clearly and consistently 'Catholic' at all times. But what does that commitment mean? How and why are our Catholic schools 'Catholic'?
(Last year, Jesuit Father Fred Kammer wrote a fine article entitled, '10 Ways Catholic Charities are Catholic.' Here I confess to stealing the concept of this article and some of its specific points from Father Kammer.)
1. Catholic schools are Catholic because their ministry is rooted in the scriptures and tradition of the Church, because they carry on the teaching mission of Jesus Himself. Jesus was a teacher, revealing the mysteries of the Kingdom of God. He sent the Church into the world to continue that mission, and the Catholic school embraces that work with particular fidelity and joy. More particularly, the purpose of the Catholic school is to teach Catholic doctrine, to hand on the faith of the Church. It is upon that strong foundation that young people will build their lives as active and well-informed adults.
2. Another hallmark of Catholic schools is their commitment to build community. We live in an age of individualism and selfishness, attitudes that militate against any sense of community. This is true in the corporate world as companies close up shop and leave town at the prospect of making more money. Athletes skip from team to team seeking more lucrative contracts. Parishioners have little loyalty to their parish, shopping around for a style that suits their needs, and spouses abandon their families if someone better comes around. Belonging to community is an important part of the Christian message and the Catholic school helps to foster that awareness, whether the community is our neighborhood, our family or God's family, the Church.
3. Catholic schools teach the value of service, one of the primary lessons of Christ. 'Whatsoever you do for the leastÉ' A Christian is identified by his love, by his willingness to serve the needs of others. The Catholic school works to impart this value to young people, teaching them that it is in giving we receive, in dying to self we live. This call to serve should also find expression within the Church community, resulting in many vocations to the priesthood and religious life.
4. Catholic schools proclaim Christian moral values, beginning with the dignity of the human person and the sanctity of human life. In his New Year's message this year, Pope John Paul II wrote that 'the dignity of the human person is a transcendent value. All human beings without exception, are equal in dignityÉ The first of human rights is the right to life.' In light of the racism, religious intolerance, secularism and materialism so prevalent today, Catholic schools face a huge challenge but have a moral mandate to teach all the values of Christ, motivating students to live always as the 'salt of the earth' and the 'light of the world.'
5. Catholic schools insist on being inclusive, opening their doors to the poor and needy, Catholic or non-Catholic. While the financial resources of the Church are limited, our schools must always maintain their commitment of educating the poor. The Vatican document mentioned earlier makes this point: 'A Catholic school is a school for all, with special attention to those who are weakest.' Even with the reality of rising costs and increasing tuition, we need to resist the temptation of allowing our schools to become a home for the wealthy or an isolated safe haven for those fleeing the problems of the city.
6. Catholic schools are Catholic if they remain in union with the Church. This is true whether we speak of parish elementary schools, diocesan high schools or 'independent' Catholic schools. Father Kammer makes the same point in his article about Catholic Charities: 'Whether founded by a diocese, parish, religious congregation or lay activists, Catholic charitable works and institutions have their formal Catholic identity in relationship to the Church and the Diocesan Bishop. The bishop is charged in Church teaching and canon law with responsibility for the apostolate within diocesan confines.' Likewise, if Catholic schools are to remain Catholic, they can never be separated from the Church which gives them birth &endash; the parish, the diocese and the Church Universal.
7. Finally, our schools are Catholic because they immerse students in the riches of Catholic liturgy, prayer and devotion. In Catholic schools children not only learn about the Faith, they also do it! If liturgy is the pinnacle of the Church's activity, then the most important activity of the school community is participation in the Eucharist. Children in every school should attend Mass together weekly, or at least a couple times a month. Children in school should receive the Sacrament of Penance frequently. And they should learn to love other prayers and devotions of the Church &endash; Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament, the Rosary, Stations of the Cross, and devotion to our Blessed Mother, the angels and saints. After all, these are the traditions of our Catholic Family, and our Catholic schools are uniquely positioned to pass them on to a new generation.
I suppose there are many other characteristics of Catholic schools that could be mentioned, but these seven are certainly central to the existence of our schools.
I think we all recognize that Catholic education faces certain challenges here in the Diocese of Youngstown as throughout the nation. I am convinced that for our schools to be successful or even survive, three things are necessary: students, money and mission. The enrollment of students is somewhat beyond our control as it is closely related to the changing demographics of city or town. We have a little more influence over the financial picture, but here too there are many legitimate demands on our limited resources. The one factor we can absolutely determine, however, is fidelity to mission, the 'Catholicity' of our schools.
In the Diocese of Youngstown we can be very proud of our schools, both elementary and secondary. Catholic education is a treasure for the Church and a gift to the community. To all those involved in our Catholic schools - pastors and parents, administrators and staff, teachers and students - thank you for your good work. Thank you for your commitment and the personal sacrifices you make to enable our schools to exist and succeed.
