"First and foremost every Catholic educational institution is a place to encounter the living God who in Jesus Christ reveals his transforming love and truth." (Benedict XVI)
In his whole address, I didn't hear him mention 'prestige' even once! The appropriate FIRST focus is Christ. The experience of the best Catholic schools, is that , centered on Christ, all needs are fulfilled. Academic accomplishments abound. Vocations are plentiful. This should be the goal of all Catholic schools, but it isn't.
A lot of Catholic schools ride on the 'image' but reject the 'reality' of being a Catholic school. They focus on superficial, one could say secular, goals. They focus on status and money.They ultimately fail to achieve more than mediocrity. Parishes need to 'take back ' their schools and bring them back into the church. The parishes NEED them to be the most Catholic, not the least.
I pray that parish councils take courage from the support that the Holy Father has given us, back up their priests, and 'renew' their school boards to reflect the CHURCH's mandate for their parish schools. We have a lot of work to do.
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