Catholic Schools Week touches on the role of Catholic education in the Church’s evangelizing mission
Lucas Yarborough likes that he gets to talk about Jesus throughout his day at his Catholic school.
The eighth grader attends St. Joachim School in Old Mines, the only faith-based school in Washington County. Next year, he plans to attend a public high school, but he will be taking with him a solid faith foundation that he’s gained since starting at St. Joachim as a kindergartener.
“If I didn’t learn about (Him), then I can’t tell my future kids about Jesus Christ,” he said. “I can tell others about Jesus Christ and spread the Gospel around to people.”
Catholic schools in the Archdiocese of St. Louis and around the country will observe National Catholic Schools Week from Jan. 25-31. Masses, assemblies, service projects and other activities will bring together students, families, parishioners and community members to celebrate the work of Catholic schools. This year’s theme is, “Catholic Schools: United in Faith and Community,” which touches on the role of Catholic schools in the Church’s evangelizing mission. Ahead of Catholic Schools Week, the Review spoke with teachers from several Catholic schools for their thoughts on various aspects of Catholic education.
Why do Catholic schools matter?
Going back to the traditions of the Catholic Church and the teachings of Jesus, one of the things I absolutely love about teaching in a Catholic school is, I feel like we have this ultimate example of how to treat people, how to care about another person and to love someone else and to serve others. To use this amazing example in Jesus, it is just such an awesome thing to have and to show the kids. I feel like they just learn so much through example and so telling stories in the Bible and of Jesus’ teaching is just really important.
— Bridgette Geraghty, first grade teacher, St. Justin Martyr School in Sunset Hills
Why do you think Catholic education is important?
It revolves around the Catholic faith, all of the different things that we encompass as Catholics from the religious standpoint of Church, service, servant leadership and throwing the academics on top of that. The big thing too is the demand of excellence, the expectation of it, and the responsibility that is bestowed upon students that — hey, this is what you’re supposed to do. I’ve been witness to kids that really take to it and take this seriously.
— Boyd Manne, physical education teacher and head football coach, St. Francis Borgia High School in Washington
How do Catholic schools help young people discover who God is calling them to be?
At the age I teach — sixth, seventh and eighth grade — they’re very focused on being popular. They want to know how to fit in with their friends. They want the other students to be looking at them as a standout because they’re cool or because they’re extra good at a sport or have a real talent. And they often don’t realize that every person is chosen and called, and that God has plans for each of us and He loves us. His plan is going to be the one that makes us happy and finds our greatest inner success. True happiness lies in finding God’s purpose for your life. We ask children to listen, to find their purpose, and we keep giving them the message, because it starts very young.
— Pamela Boyer, sixth, seventh and eighth grade homeroom teacher, St. Joachim School in Old Mines
How do Catholic school communities serve others and live out the Gospel beyond its walls?
Catholic schools learn to serve others and live the Gospel outside of the school, one by cultivating the witness and example of what it means to be a disciple here in school and then learning that that doesn’t really stop with your interactions in the building here, but that it goes beyond. And then hopefully that goes home to the students’ interactions with their family and with their friends outside of school, and then also presents itself in different service opportunities, in doing service and giving one’s self in that way to others in need.
— Zach Stehr, theology teacher, St. Francis Borgia School in Washington
What’s one moment that reminded you why this work matters?
At the end of their time with me, they move on to the next teacher, and that teacher tells me what they are doing and that they’ve learned these things. I had a little girl years ago that didn’t think she would take anything from my class. You never think that they’re going to take anything from your class. In Miss Pam’s class, she was supposed to write something about who inspired you the most, and I was that inspiration. She said that I was her best teacher, because I taught her everything she knew. And that’s very humbling to think that you have that kind of impact on a student, and they carry it that far in their life.
— Debra Koch, second and third grade teacher, St. Joachim School in Old Mines
What gives you hope when you look at today’s Catholic school students?
A lot of things give me hope. What gives me hope right now is, I’m a parishioner here at St. Justin as well, and we attend the 7:30 (a.m.) Mass. There’s at least 10 other kids under the age of five. And if you go to 9 (a.m. Mass), it’s more, and if you go to 11 (a.m.), it’s even more. Here at St. Justin, I see the future of the Church booming every day. Families are excited to be a part of our community and part of Catholic (education) and I see all of these little disciples as they get to grow up.
— Kailey Maier, principal, St. Justin Martyr School in Sunset Hills
