Homily for Catholic Schools Mass: August 27, 2007

Given by the Most Reverend Stephen E. Blaire at the Cathedral of the Annunciation in Stockton.

This past weekend I attended a very wonderful awards dinner in which one of the recipients had just retired from a life time of teaching in public schools. She gave a marvelous talk on why she was so devoted to public education. Afterwards I was thinking about this morning’s homily and what I would say about Catholic Schools. Do we really need them? Why do we have them? We operate them at great sacrifice and based on tremendous dedication of faculty and staff.

Our teachers are less compensated than those in public school; tuition costs are getting beyond the reach of the middle income family and certainly the low income; some pastors simply find them an undue burden when they have a far greater number of children in religious education classes from public school.

First of all, we do not exist as an alternate to public schools. There was a day, of course, when this was not true. In the early period of our nation, public schools were Protestant and we formed Catholic schools to maintain our identity.

Secondly we are not in competition with public education. The majority of our Catholic youth attend public schools and a high percentage of teachers are Catholic. As citizens we want the very best in public education for our children.

Thirdly we do not run our schools as private schools as if we are committed to private education over public education. We have a commitment to education but not a commitment to private over public per se.
So why are we here this morning for our annual Catholic Schools Eucharistic Celebration? Why am I as your bishop deeply committed to Catholic Schools? But let me add, just as strongly committed to the religious education programs in our parishes for the children who attend public school.

It all has to do with the Gospel and the mission of Christ entrusted to the Church. “Seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness” the Gospel reading proclaimed. The kingdom of God was essential to the teaching of Jesus and refers to the reality and presence of God in the world of today and in our lives as well as to the future “new heavens and new earth.”

Jesus’ teaching, especially the parables, unfolded the multi-dimensional significance of the kingdom and how it calls for our conversion and living in the way of Christ for the glory of God and the salvation of the world. The Church’s mission is to serve the kingdom of God by preaching the Gospel in all layers of society and in every aspect of the human condition. We do this through our ministries and in our institutions. And there are many gifts, many ministries, many movements and many institutions in the Church to carry out the work of Christ. One of the best means we have for the formation and education of our youth is the Catholic School.
Education is a process of socialization. So we seek to create an environment in our schools which reflects Christian community.

Education is a process of academic growth and we teach for truth. There is no subject that does not have a perspective from Catholic values. For example some months ago, Kevin Starr, the former state librarian and highly recognized California State historian spoke to the Bishops and reminded us that any study of United States or California History would be highly incomplete without an extensive study of the role played by the Catholic Church from the beginning. In the area of science if we do not teach our students how to study evolution and relate it to the teaching of creation (not creationism, nor intelligent design) we would be failing them. In the area of environmental studies, the theology of stewardship over creation is an imperative in a Catholic school course. If we teach technology without an accompanying ethic we fail. Even more so in classes on business. There is extensive Catholic tradition on the arts, social studies and physical education. It is not a matter of imposition of Catholic doctrine on secular subjects. It is a matter of integration, perspective, and illumination.

Lastly education is a process of value formation and Catholic education is a process of formation in the Faith. The old catechism said it well: to know, love and serve God in this world and to be happy with Him in the next. We are not talking here just about personal spiritual growth but about the integration of faith into every aspect of our human living. So, is there a reason for our Catholic Schools? Indeed there is. Is all the sacrifice and dedication worth it? You bet.

Last Update August 29, 2007