This week has been Catholic Schools Week around the United States and just like every other parish school my parish school has been very active with various projects, parties, celebrations, and open houses.  It’s always a great week for Catholic Schools because we get to celebrate our faith, how awesome we are, and promote our schools.  I remember as a student in my home parish school, St. Celestine, how much fun this week was.  Most days we were able to dress out of uniform, we had at least one or two special lunches, I’m sure we were let out early one day, and every year the week ended with an indoor carnival we would call Fun Fair.  It was always an enjoyable week.

    As I look back on my very long career in Catholic Education (20 years), I am reminded of nothing but fond memories and how grateful I am for the education I received and friendships I made.  All of my closest friendships were born from a Catholic school I attended.  I’m very proud to say that I’ve known some of my closest friends since Kindergarten.  I have very close friends that I met in high school and almost all of my close priest friends came out of the seminary.  

    Catholic school prepared me in many ways that I didn’t expect it to as a kid growing up.  First, Catholic school gave me a solid education that has lasted me through graduate school.  Catholic school prepared me to be a well educated young man who respects others.  Catholic school taught me what holiness looks like even when I didn’t want to be holy and at a time in my life when I couldn’t have cared less about holiness.  Most importantly, as a young adult looking back, Catholic school taught me how to love and make sacrifices.  While I didn’t notice or appreciate it at the time, I certainly appreciate now the great sacrifices all my teachers made, the many sacrifices my parents made, and the sacrifices others made for me to receive the great gift of education that I did.  

    If I had children of my own, I would send them to Catholic school in a heartbeat.  The pro’s will always outweigh the cons, including the large cost.  I’m proud to have been a student of Catholic education and as a priest I work hard to make sure the students in my school receive the great education and experiences I received as a student.  

Happy #CatholicSchoolsWeek