As recorded in the Gospel of Matthew, the final command that Jesus gave to His disciples before ascending to heaven was this, “Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age” (Mt. 28: 19-20).

 

This mandate of Jesus applies to the Church as a whole and to each of us who are members of the Church. Teach. Make disciples. Baptize. These are not burdens imposed upon us, although at times their faithful fulfillment can be opposed by the powers of this world. But understood more clearly, we have been given the privilege and the power to share Jesus Christ with others. And with that comes a purifying understanding of the world and of our own human nature. In short, without God we cannot truly flourish.

 

The spreading of the Gospel message takes many forms. Having embraced our baptism, we most often begin with our families. Family and faith, whether in the context of marriage and children or even in the single and celibate life, typically go together. Parents transmit the practice and belief of faith to their children. Siblings encourage and sometimes lovingly correct each other, giving encouragement to see the faith through until Jesus calls us home.

 

We are to teach others by our joy, our witness to what we believe, and at times our willingness to suffer and to sacrifice. No one is lacking in opportunities to fulfill Jesus’s command.

 

This is an important context for our annual celebration from Jan. 29 to Feb. 4 of Catholic Schools Week for 2023. This yearly observance is not simply a moment to celebrate school pride, as important as that is. Any school, Catholic or not, could celebrate itself. Rather, Catholic Schools Week is a time to reflect, with gratitude, on the historical contribution to the formation of souls and to the natural good of society that has come from the work of Catholic schools.

 

In the United States, the Catholic Church established a school system beginning the 1800’s. Its purpose is captured by the theme of Catholic Schools Week which is “Catholic Schools: Faith. Excellence. Service.”

 

In our time of secularization, our schools are committed to helping parents teach the faith to their children. It means conveying to our students the revelation that God has given of Himself and His plan for us. That includes the nature of the human person, of creation and of the invitation to eternal life with God. Marriage and family, moral life, true justice of all. In the context of constant prayer, our schools live out the Good News.

 

Because we live in a real and complex world, our schools prepare our students to excel as they live out their faith. The test scores and academic preparation given by Catholic schools is second to none, and we are proud of that.

 

Linked to faith and human goodness is charity. That means service to others and to the community, which is an important lesson, is front and center in Catholic schools.

 

In a time of challenge to religious liberty and to financial security for private institutions, I continue to be so proud of the Catholic schools in the Diocese of Rockford. At the service of Catholic and non-Catholic students and families, our teachers, coaches, administrators and staff make Catholic schools to be a source of hope and achievement.

 

Stronger faith, a love for the truth, and a contribution to the best in our community and our world. This is what flows from our Catholic schools. They are truly worth celebrating.