Superintendent's Message Catholic Schools Light the Way This theme for Catholic Schools Week is a powerful one. Many images come to mind when we think of light: the beacon of a lighthouse guiding the way for lost ships; a candle in the window shedding a welcoming light to a stranger; the Christmas star and other Christmas lights brightening the season; the flashing lights of emergency vehicles clearing the road; the flashlight used when electricity is not available; our streetlights brighten darkened streets for pedestrians and motor vehicles; the small nightlight that keeps us from stumbling in the dark; the ordinary light bulb that illuminates our homes and work spaces. The list of lights in our life is almost endless.

Our Catholic school theme this year suggests that a Catholic school is a powerful light for students and parents. We have all been taught that Christ is the way, the truth, and the life. Catholic schools do indeed light the way to Christ.

From the first day of preschool or kindergarten, until graduation, each experience is designed to lead a student to Christ the light. For example, the little one who learns to make the sign of the cross read or tell the Christmas story or who is taught to listen to his guardian angel is being led to Christ. The second grader who prepares for first reconciliation and first Eucharist is taking a big step on the path to Christ. At the same time, the middle grader who begins to read fluently, master math facts and see community outside the family, also learns about the parish and the Catholic Church. The junior high student learns that to love one’s enemies means to love the class bully or class nerd, as well as the attractive, popular classmate. The older student, perhaps wearing a “What would Jesus do?” bracelet tries to answer that question before acting or making a decision. All these are examples of Catholic school students being enlightened by the Catholic school philosophy, vision and practice.

Catholic school teachers have each child’s eternal welfare at heart and strive to be the Light of Christ for their students. These teachers recognize their role as that of an older brother or sister in the family of God. They know they are the model, the mentor, the servant leader for their students. They motivate, they prod and they tough love their students toward the path of Christ the true light.

The parents of Catholic school students don’t just drop their kids off in preschool and pick them up eight, 10, 12 years later at graduation. As primary educators, Catholic school parents walk the way with, and light the path for, their children. They are involved in reading aloud to little ones, listening to first feeble attempts to read themselves, drilling vocabulary, spelling words and mastering math facts. Catholic school parents review countless homework sheets and assist with numerous science fair projects. But most importantly, by helping to memorize prayers and saying them with their children, taking part in sacramental preparation and attending Sunday liturgy with their children, they provide a constant light so their children don’t leave the path.

As junior high and high school approaches, new challenges arise. Athletics is just one such challenge that assumes much importance. Here Christ the light is held up as a model for good sportsmanship. Coaches, athletic directors and physical education instructors keep vigilant so that competition does not give way to bullying.  Peer pressure also increases at this developmental stage. Again the Catholic schools attempt to light the way through the darkness and troubled times we call adolescence.

At this stage in their Catholic school life, many students have been involved in service projects.
In Catholic schools these service projects involve theological reflection and lead to talk of a life of service. Teachers talk to Catholic students about an enlightened way to live their whole lives. It is probable that only in a Catholic school is vocation to the priesthood or religious life held up as a way to live in the light and provide this light for others. Only in a Catholic school is marriage between a man and a woman taught as a sacrament dedicated to a lifetime of loving

each other and generating new life and new light in their family.

Just as there are numerous images of light, there are numerous ways that “Catholic Schools Light the Way.” Today Catholic schools need help and support to make sure their light is carried forth into the future. As school expenses rise, enrollment decreases, and parish support declines, we
see the Catholic school light in need of an energy boost. In the Joliet Diocese we plan that boost
for April 19, 2008. On this day a summit for all Catholic schools in the diocese will be held. Catholic school board members, priests, principals, and other strong proponents of Catholic schools will gather at Joliet Catholic Academy to move the light forward. On this date we will meet, to hear prominent speakers, celebrate the liturgy with Bishop J. Peter Sartain and discuss and devise strategies for the future of Catholic Schools. At this present time we still need funding for this event. If you can help us please go to our website at www.dioceseofjoliet.org/schools  for further information. Feel free to call me at 815-838-2181 or contact any principal of a Joliet diocesan school to find out how you can help us move the light forward.

 If Catholic schools leaders are to shed a lasting light, more polishing will be needed.

• During the week of January 27 thru February 2, Diocesan and local school communities will join to celebrate “Catholic Schools Light the Way”.  The kick off for this week is Breakfast with the Bishop held at the University of St. Francis on January 18th. Each school has a representative who receives a candle and blessing from the Bishop to take back to their schools. One particularly illustrious teacher will receive the Bishop Imesch “Outstanding Teacher of the Year Award”.

• February 7th and 8th will find our Principals gathered for a professional development seminar. They will be re-energized by two days of light and truth from Father Fragomini.

• March 25-28 provides an opportunity for many of our school staff members to join their peers in Indianapolis for the NCEA convention. This gathering is planned for ten to fifteen thousand Catholic Educators to hear national educational speakers, celebrate Easter Week Liturgies and visit 500-600 exhibits of new materials.

• On April 19th we will conduct our biggest Diocesan school event. We will have our first Catholic School Summit. Pastors, Principals and Board members will gather with our Bishop to celebrate what is good, and learn what is possible and plan for an even brighter future for our schools.

What a year! What growth we can experience! How brightly we can light the way!