I thought in light of the visit of Pope Benedict and the comments of our Chief School Administrator on his visit, I would like those comments and his speech in my school notes. Please enjoy as you read.
Peace and Blessings,
Donna Vertheen Hale
April 21, 2008
Last Thursday, I had the honor of being in the presence of Pope Benedict when he addressed a few fortunate educators at the Catholic University of America. In the room were approximately 500 people including school superintendents from each diocese and presidents of all Catholic colleges. The venue was intimate as compared to that of most of his many appearances, and in fact, the Holy Father was just a few feet away from me as he entered and left the hall (not that this momentary proximately resulted in any pictures worth sharing).
In any case, the Holy Father spoke of many things in his address. Schools’ responsibility to bear witness to faith and truth, academic freedom, and the dangers of relativism were clearly on his mind. He spoke movingly as he asked educators to live the truth that we share with our students.
Since my return from Washington, people have asked me what aspects of his speech made the greatest impression upon me. The answers will not be a surprise to those of you who are, or have been, involved in the education of young people. Hearing the Holy Father assert the need to sustain Catholic Schools and affirm their importance to our Church and society, was a powerful message to me, as it must be to all of you. He said that “no child should be denied his or her right to an education in faith, which … nurtures the soul of the nation.”
The Pope told us that “education is integral to the mission of the Church…every Catholic educational institution is a place to encounter the living God.”
He talked about the sacrifices of many which helped to make education one of this country’s “highest priorities.” He spoke of the “remarkable network of parochial schools contributing to the spiritual well-being of the church and the nation.”
He referred to Catholic education as a powerful instrument of hope as he talked about the sacrifices of Sisters, Brothers, Priests and selfless parents who through Catholic Schools helped generations rise from poverty and into mainstream society, and he told us that the sacrifice continues today… which he called “an outstanding apostolate of hope seeking to address the material, intellectual, and spiritual needs of over 3 million children and students.”
He spoke of the high expectations for Catholic educators, and he thanked us for our “dedication and generosity” as he said that the reputation of Catholic institutions is due to those of us who have served and are serving, and he offered encouragement to those of us directly involved in catechesis. And he urged religious orders not to abandon the school apostolate, especially in poor areas.
He said, “Some today question the Church’s involvement in education, wondering whether its resources might be better placed elsewhere.”
He called upon “the entire Catholic community to contribute generously to the financial needs of our institutions.” He went on to say that Catholic Schools “long-term sustainability must be assured. Indeed, everything possible must be done in cooperation with the wider community, to ensure that they are accessible to the people of all social and economic strata.”
Regarding non-Catholic students in our schools, he told those gathered that a “school’s Catholic Identity is not simply a question of the number of Catholic students—“or statistics.” It demands and inspires us much more, and calls every aspect of our learning communities to reverberate with the ecclesial life of faith.
He spoke of the Church’s primary mission of evangelization, in which educational institutions play a critical role …in developing a society truly worthy of the human person’s dignity. He told us that Catholic educators” can help to form the conscience in the young which, enriched by faith, opens a sure path to inner peace and respect for others.”
He spoke of our schools making “a vital contribution to the mission of the church and truly serving society, as they become places where God’s active presence in human affairs is recognized.”
In his remarks, the Holy Father acknowledged that he had been an educator himself. The fact that he--also a teacher-- took the time to bring together the leaders of all the American Catholic educational institutions in an historic meeting is significant. He gathered those of us responsible for the instruction of all ages from pre-kindergarten to post-secondary to hear his message of “profound gratitude” for all we are doing, together with the challenge to continue with ever-increasing determination to serve young people and their families so they, too, may “experience the harmony between faith, life and culture.”
The Holy Father concluded his remarks with an apostolic blessing to us, to you, our school colleagues, as well as parents and students, as he asked us to bear witness to hope.
To all of you who serve our children every day, who help to nurture faith and instruction among our young, I hope that you were as inspired as I to hear the Holy Father’s affirmation that our work is important and central to the Church’s mission.
Thank you for all you do. God bless you…
Annette Z. Parsons
Chief School Administrator
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