By Deacon James N. Dunbar
FALL RIVER, Mass. — Every year as January comes to an end, Catholic elementary and secondary schools across the nation take time to celebrate the important role they play in providing an education that emphasizes not only academics, but also the spiritual, moral, and social values to an estimated 7.6 million students.
For the approximately 200,000 dedicated educators involved, it means going beyond preparing their students for a successful secular life in today’s modern world, but more importantly, readying them for a Christian life as they contribute to their communities and their nation.
The 2010 Catholic Schools Week celebration set for January 31 to February 6, a joint project of the National Catholic Educators Association and the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, has as its theme “Dividends for Life,” reflecting the long-lasting benefits of a Catholic school education.
“Catholic schools provide good things for students and families — high expectations and daily experience of faith,” said Karen Ristau, NCEA president.
“In these challenging times, the theme also reminds parents that the dividends of a Catholic school education — students prepared in faith, knowledge, morals and discipline — last a lifetime. There is no better way to invest in a child’s future — or in the future of our world,” she added.
The NCEA has also provided schools and parishes with Scripture readings and reflections that key on faith, knowledge, discipline and morals, all portrayed in the official 2010 logo.
During this 37th annual week-long observance that first began nationally in 1974, a variety of social and religious events and activities are geared to involve the students, families, teachers and staffers — as well as parishes.
To find out how Catholic schools in the Fall River Diocese educate its students that they may reap “Dividends for Life,” The Anchor spoke to local Catholic school leaders.
George A. Milot, superintendent of Catholic schools in the diocese, said “statistics reveal that those who had received a Catholic school education, are, in later life, unequalled in the Church and in the community, and known for their generous volunteerism.”
He said approximately 750 teachers and staffers are currently bringing academics, discipline and the faith to 7,567 students enrolled in the diocese’s Catholic schools, “who will prove a dividend to the Church and its societal issues and society as a whole.”
The principal of St. John the Evangelist School in Attleboro, Passionist Sister Mary Jane Holden, said “What our teaching comes down to is instilling Christian morals in our young people that we hope and pray will carry them throughout their lifetime, as well as educating them in the love of God and neighbor called for in the Gospels that will be meaningful in whatever they do in life.”
“And the proof is seen in what our students do,” she added.
She said that after study of the recent devastation and suffering in Haiti from the catastrophic January 12 earthquake, a collection was taken in which the 260 students and 20-member staff participated.
“We collected an amazing $600 dollars, which will be sent to Passionist Father Richard Frechette, who is also a physician, and who runs three hospitals in Haiti. The hospital in Port-au-Prince was completely destroyed in the earthquake, and we are told the healthcare needs are great and our donation will be well spent,” she added.
“This is a real testament to our teachers and students. It is indeed a ‘dividend’ or ‘fruit’ in the sense that Catholic education demands generosity and love being passed on in our teaching of the faith as well as the academics, and here we’ve seen it in action,” Sister Holden commented.
In Hyannis at Pope John Paul II High School, Principal Christopher Keavy said “people make an investment in tuition dollars and their talents and treasures — and volunteering, and to buy uniforms and textbooks — and so they expect dividends on those. The for-life dividends — from a Catholic education — include self-discipline, generosity and service, and intellectual preparation, but most important, a disposition to honor, love, and serve God.”
While Pope John Paul II High School has newly added two more students, bringing the total enrollment to 100 and has a 21-member staff, a recent ice cream social raised a whopping $1,248 for the Haitian Relief Fund, Keavy reported.
While there are various activities during the week’s observance, said Keavy, the most meaningful event of Catholic Schools Week is the tradition of five schools in the Cape Cod region for the second year gathering in common to attend a Mass.
At St. Mary’s School in New Bedford, Principal Cathy Lacroix is enthusiastic about what is happening at the school, which will celebrate “Dividends for Life” in Catholic Schools Week with a variety of events that target the parish, community, the nation, vocations, and student and staff levels.
“With the advent of the Internet, it is great to see so many of the alumni of St. Mary’s who have gone on to be successful in their adult life. Doctors, lawyers, educators, business owners, politicians, moms and dads, and even grandparents,” she told The Anchor.
Since the establishment of the school in 1965, thousands of young men and women have received the solid educational foundation needed to be built on for success in future life, “and the tradition of excellence providing a spiritual foundation continues today,” Lacroix added. “We have a staff of dedicated professionals who care about each individual child.”
Their efforts are seen in the highest awards won by its students at the Regional Science Fair; 40 members of the Christian Service Club that assists teachers and staff with daily tasks; the work of volunteers in two popular clubs, science and knitting; and the sharing of time, talent and treasure by students who make monthly visits to a nursing home, conduct food and coat drives and blanket collections, and play on several CYO basketball teams.
“We’re looking for a repeat of these accomplishments this year,” Lacroix noted.
At Holy Trinity School in Fall River, Principal Brenda Gagnon said following the tradition of an annual service project, students and teachers chose a science topic, “Jump for a Healthy Heart” following a Heart Association lead.
“We’re teaching that following guidelines such as good exercise, good food and good rest will show a dividend … a healthy heart,” said Gagnon.
Another project, she said, has students discerning their vocation in “When I Grow Up, Who Shall I Be?”
“Giving thoughts and preparation to this hopefully will show a dividend of one day entering the chosen profession, and an essential part of that is building on a foundation that has them following the teachings of Christ and the Church in their everyday lives,” Gagnon explained.