Celebrating Catholic Education

“Education is the process of shaping us to fulfill the purpose of our lives; to know the happiness that comes from living in accord with our dignity and our nature. Education is the work of drawing out, developing, and learning to use our intellects, our memories, our wills, and our imaginations, to the fullness of their potential. Since education is the formation of human hearts, minds, and wills for the glory of their Creator, it has always been a priority within Catholicism.” – The Joy and Wonder of Catholic Education, Bishop Conley

When I was growing up, I remember the quiet tension that existed between the Catholic school kids and the public school kids at my parish. I fell into the public school crowd and can recall wondering, whenever Catholic Schools Week came around, why exactly those Catholic school kids got all the attention at Church. In my mind, we weren’t much different, except that I didn’t wear a uniform when I attended school. What I didn’t see as a youth I am now able to point out about Catholic education: it is a gift, a gift that has helped form many of the institutions that we are familiar with today. Catholic Schools Week isn’t about calling one group of students better because they attend a specific school. It is essentially about celebrating how our local Catholic schools strive to live out the mission of Catholicism as well as carry on the educational tradition that is a large part of the Church’s history.

Historically, Catholic education and schools have existed since the early centuries of the Church, though perhaps not in the same recognizable scope as our schools today. In Europe, monasteries in the fifth and sixth centuries had schools that began educating young people both in morals and in intellectual thought. In our own country, the first Catholic college was established in 1789 (what is now Georgetown University), and St. Elizabeth Ann Seton began the first Catholic parochial school in 1809. Within Rochester, Mother Mary Alfred founded the first Catholic school in 1877. That is quite the history of education!

Even as I admit that I do not have a personal experience attending our local Catholic schools, I can offer some helpful observations about how Rochester Catholic Schools are striving to offer something more than just general scholarship. One beautiful example is how young people at St. Johns Middle School every week attend Mass. Participation in the Mass is a wonderful way that young people learn. I recall for myself how altar serving helped me to foster a better understanding of the Eucharist. For the middle school Mass, students participate in many ways including providing music, reading, and serving as altar servers. Students are present and engaging with their faith. These students often take steps to serve at their home parish as altar servers or in other ways during Sunday Mass.

I can see how attending a Catholic school has helped form many young adults who have joined our parish community. As part of my role as a director of formation for the Co-Cathedral, I often have the joy of meeting with young adults new to Rochester. Many of these young people who go on to be involved in our parish share that in their hometown, they attended Catholic school. I am reminded of Bishop Conley’s words, that these individuals are formed by this education to strive for their fullest potential. In our parish, there are many families who participate in Rochester Catholic Schools. As you continue your week, I invite you to learn more about Catholic education by reaching out to someone who is connected with RCS or by checking out the RCS website: www.rcsmn.org.