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Each year, Catholic Schools Week gives us the opportunity to shine a light on all of our schools and their transformative work. Although there are certainly many challenges that face us during this Catholic Schools Week (Jan. 31-Feb. 6), there is still so much to celebrate in every school community. Across the Diocese of Metuchen, in all of our schools, students and teachers adapted to all of the necessary COVID-19 restrictions so that they could enthusiastically return to school and live the mission of our schools: provide an atmosphere in which a child can grow in faith, excel in academics and serve others. Just as our pastors, principals and teachers found a way to continue to educate when we closed in March, they have forged an innovative path that has given students a sense of belonging and well-being when we reopened the schools.
One of those initiatives has been outreach to our diocesan seminarians to help support them in their vocation. Each school “adopted” a seminarian with whom they communicate. Students have prayed for them, written to them, made cards and even been on Zoom meetings with them. During Catholic Schools Week, there will be more calls and Zoom meetings to seminarians who will be speaking to students about their vocations. This is such a wonderful opportunity for students to accompany a seminarian on their spiritual journey.
A hallmark of Catholic schools is service to others, outreach into the parish and into the community as well as within the school itself. Despite all the challenges presented by COVID-19 restrictions, the students in our schools: sponsored sock/hat/mitten drives to donate to local shelters; provided Baskets for the Needy to feed families during the holidays; donated art supplies to Saint Peter’s University Hospital in New Brunswick for the children being cared for there; collected toiletry items for veterans living at Menlo Park in Edison; and, made rosaries to be given to police officers. Students are cheering senior citizens and veterans by writing to them or sending cards. The Works of Mercy remain at the core of all that occurs in our schools.
Masses, live or live-streamed, are in integral part of the life of all schools. Students have participated in virtual retreats, prayer services, Eucharistic adoration and personal prayer in the classrooms. All of these faith experiences assist teachers as they combine the Catholic faith and its teachings with academics to help form a Catholic worldview that will influence students throughout their lives. The unique partnership between the home and the family helps to teach children respect of self and others and develops self-discipline. This is significant advantage of a Catholic school education.
During Catholic Schools Week, there will be testimonials from students and families speaking about the advantages of a Catholic school education. Some schools will have virtual visits for parents and grandparents. While COVID-19 restrictions limit visitors to the schools at this time, you are encouraged to take virtual tours of the schools by visiting their websites.
Thanks to the extraordinary efforts of our pastors, principals, teachers and parents, we have provided a safe environment for students from Pre-Kindergarten to Grade 12 that has enabled them to grow in both faith and knowledge. They have celebrated virtual Christmas concerts and gone on virtual field trips. Some students are remaining at home and studying virtually. Once again, our Catholic schools have proven that they are innovative, flexible and focused on the well-being of our students.
Noted Bishop James F. Checchio, “Thanks be to God that our schools truly are communities of love and faith where Catholic values build up our students to be leaders in our Church, families, and society at large. Where would we be without our Catholic schools?”
Ayoub is Secretary for Education, diocesan Department of Education