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Put Out Into the Deep
Bishop DiMarzio's weekly column
THE TABLET
September 8, 2007
What Makes Our schools Catholic
My dear brothers and sisters in Christ,
As our schools are reopened, my thoughts go back to my own school days. As I mentioned in the Back to School edition of The Tablet two weeks ago, I always found it difficult to begin school again in September. I thank the Lord that my school days are over, however, beginning the new program year each September always has its challenges and anxieties.
At the start of this school year, I am able to recall fond memories of a Sister of Charity of Saint Elizabeth, Convent Station, N.J., who taught me in the fifth grade at the Sacred Heart Cathedral School in Newark. Her name is Sister Dorothy Jose’. Next week, she will be celebrating her 70th anniversary as a Sister of Charity of Saint Elizabeth, as well as her 50th anniversary at Saint Patrick’s School in Elizabeth, N.J. I am very happy that I am able to be with her for this wonderful occasion.
The dedication of religious Sisters such as Sister Dorothy Jose’, women who gave a lifetime of selfless service to the Church, is something of which we all must be grateful. They were responsible for the formation of generations of Catholics, and for inspiring vocations to the priesthood and religious life. I am sure that each of us have fond memories of our school days and of the wonderful teachers and Sisters who truly mentored us and not only taught us our academic subjects, but also gave us a real insight into what being a Catholic is all about and how to live our lives honestly.
As I recall my own grammar school days, I can remember Sister Dorothy Jose’. Although she was a good disciplinarian in the classroom, she was also a caring individual who inside and out of school was concerned for the well being of her students. Think back to the teachers who most influenced you. One or two always stick out in our memories and remind us of the best of what we are and perhaps also the worst of what we could have been. These were the individuals who shaped us and allowed us to reach our full human, as well as spiritual, potential.
Recently, I asked the Office of the Superintendent to develop a program for Catholic identity. I mentioned this in the school article referred to earlier. How important is the Catholic identity of our schools. But what makes them Catholic? Is it the statues, the crucifixes that adorn the classrooms, the teaching of religion every day and the inclusion of a religious and value message in all subjects? I am sure it is even more than that. What makes them Catholic are the witnesses to the faith who are our teachers and administrators. It is they who pass on to another generation what it means to be Catholic in all senses of the word.
On Tuesday, I celebrated the opening Mass for our Catholic school teachers at the Immaculate Conception Center in Douglaston. My message was just that, you are our role models and witnesses. Whatever we can do to assist you, we must do. You are our partners and more in bringing a Catholic education to so many. There is no substitute for a good teacher and a witness to the faith.
Several weeks ago, I had the occasion to be with three Catholic school teachers at a luncheon following the funeral Mass for the mother of Joanne Weiss, my personal secretary. The conversation continually went back to their reflections on their school and what it meant to them in their lives. All three, one of whom was Joanne’s sister, Maryjane, were veteran Catholic school teachers. This summer, I also had an opportunity to be on vacation with my brother, Frank, and sister-in-law, Ceil, who is a Catholic school teacher. Her concern for her students was constantly shown during our vacation, as her thoughts went back to the classroom and to the student that most needed her help, to the students who achieved with her assistance, and most of all to the future of Catholic schools.
Our Catholic schools have been the mainstay of communicating our Catholic faith to successive generations of our children. Whatever sacrifice we must make to keep them alive and to include as many students as possible is well worth the effort.
We must be ever mindful of our religious education programs which mirror the same transmission of the faith. Our volunteer catechists, many of whom are Catholic school teachers, are truly witnesses to the faith.
Pope John Paul II, of beloved memory, once said, “The Church today does not need teachers but witnesses.” I might also add that we need teachers who are witnesses. That is the best of both worlds. It is they who constantly “put out into the deep,” striving for excellence in education and in communicating the faith.
Join me as we begin this school year praying for our catechists and Catholic school teachers, that they may be successful in communicating the truth of Jesus Christ to those entrusted to their care.
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