Florida Catholic | Bishop Barbarito’s Column

How beautiful the footsteps of those who bring good news

Published: 06.06.08

I am very pleased that a task force has been formed in our diocese to study our Catholic schools in a proactive manner so that we can continue to provide the best Catholic education possible. Catholic schools have been an integral part of the handing on of our faith, and we want to do all we can to preserve this tradition. We all know the challenges, economic and otherwise, which face our schools and are causing many to close around our nation. These challenges are no less present to us in southern Florida and we need to take positive action to ensure the future of our Catholic schools.

When our Holy Father Pope Benedict XVI recently met with Catholic educators in Washington, his opening words were, “How beautiful the footsteps of those who bring good news” (Rom 10:15-17). In his address, he emphasized that education is an integral part of the mission of the church and the proclamation of the good news. Every Catholic school is a place to encounter the living God who is revealed in Jesus Christ. The proclamation of Jesus Christ is the foundational purpose of a Catholic school. Catholic schools exist to impart faith to our young people. Without this purpose, they lose their significance.

Obviously, the faith that is imparted in our Catholic schools is one that is understood by those of us who are Catholics and profess it. If one were not a Catholic, it would be difficult to be convinced of the importance of supporting Catholic schools simply for the sake of faith. However, there are indisputable facts about the significance of Catholic schools in our nation that are not so well known. Knowledge of these facts is important in emphasizing the essential role of Catholic schools in our nation.

Catholic schools are internationally acclaimed for their academic excellence. There are more than 7,000 Catholic schools in our nation that educate more than 2 million young people. Overall, there is an ideal rate of student-teacher ratio. Catholic schools teach a diverse group of students of all ethnic backgrounds, and more than 28 percent of schoolchildren enrolled in Catholic schools are minorities. The graduation rate of students in Catholic high schools is 99 percent. Fewer than 5 percent of Catholic high school students drop out of school and more than 97 percent of Catholic high school graduates go to college. In addition, Catholic schools save our nation millions of dollars based on the average public school pupil cost. All of this points to the important role Catholic schools have within our nation.

There are more general statistics and information that can be cited about our Catholic schools. All of these are certainly persuasive reasons for all in our nation to support Catholic schools. Financial aid and support to our Catholic schools and students are not only consistent with the founding principles of our nation, but also a matter of justice. Without our Catholic schools, public schools could not exist. A great burden would be placed on our government to educate those currently enrolled in Catholic schools. In addition, Catholic schools add much to the scholastic and moral fiber of our nation.

Impressive as the quality of Catholic schools is, our support of Catholic schools is not merely a matter of support for the high quality of education that is imparted through them. Nor is it one of providing quality alternative education in our nation. Our support is one for our Catholic faith. When St. Elizabeth Ann Seton began in Baltimore what would become the Catholic school system of the United States, she did so with a conviction that one must educate the whole child – mind, heart, soul and body. She foresaw a system that would impart quality learning in the context of a practical plan for Catholic education. Her vision has flourished to this day and is well reflected in our Catholic grammar and high schools here in our diocese.

Young people today do not have it easy. They live in a world of conflicting values and many of them do not experience the joy of love and security in a family atmosphere. Our society and the media present a message to our young people that happiness is found in self-gratification, making a name for oneself, getting ahead and owning a great deal. The values of family, love, especially through commitment and sacrifice, and faith in God are in a very real sense undermined. Young people, especially children, want security and they will seek it where it is offered. Catholic schools are crucial in giving them a message that security is found in a loving God who made them because he loves them and gives them a family in the Catholic Church where they always belong. That church is family and home for all of us and goes back 2,000 years to Christ himself. This message is the foundation of our Catholic schools and the reason we support these institutions.

While it is challenging for our parishes to maintain their schools, they do so because of their undaunting commitment to our young people and to our faith. I wish to commend our parents who sacrifice so much to send their children to a Catholic school, as well as our pastors and those who staff our Catholic schools for their heroic efforts in maintaining what is truly essential, not only for our diocese, but for our faith and our nation.

Our task force is composed of professionals in education and other areas as well as committed parents who will take a close look at our two preschools, 16 elementary schools and three high schools. We want to continue to provide Catholic education and are committed to the mission of Catholic education. As the task force begins its work, I thank its members for their willingness to share their time and talent so our diocese can continue the fine tradition of Catholic schools and hand on to our young people the greatest gift, our Catholic Faith. Indeed, “How beautiful the footsteps of those who bring good news.”

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How beautiful the footsteps of those who bring good news

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