“Success isn’t just about what you accomplish in your life; it’s about what you inspire others to do.” ~ Unknown
This weekend begins our annual Catholic Schools Week. It is a time when we take a look at the value and contribution of a Catholic education. It is a time where we celebrate our heritage.
At St. Thomas More, we have a healthy, thriving school. Our graduates, through the years, have gone on to excel in high school (many become valedictorians or salutatorians), college (many graduating summa cum laude), and graduate school where our graduates have found an opportunity to help many in life.
The motto for this year’s National Catholic Schools Week is “Learn, Serve, Lead, Succeed.” That is precisely what we attempt to give our students the opportunity to do. In attending school in a faith-based environment, our students have the opportunity to build upon the basics as they learn and practice the faith. Steeped in values, the learning our students experience challenges them to serve.
When we are young, we do not often think about serving others on our own. It takes an environment that prompts us to do works of service to show us just how joyful and inspiring service can be. Of course, as we serve, we realize that we are also leading.
When we can lead others by faithful service, we will be successes. The world would like us to think that success comes in the form of fame and fortune; but, success, to the believer, is faithfully following in the footsteps of Christ who commissioned us to serve others, to forgive others, to inspire others, and to love others. If we are successes in the eyes of the Lord, that is all that will ever matter.
In order to successfully instruct our youth, we need good, solid educators. Those people are not just the teachers in the classroom. As a matter of fact, our teachers are the second string when it comes to educating children in the faith. Parents and other family members are the first string for the children. Living a good, solid faith life is the best teaching that a person can provide to the generations to come.
To all who support Catholic education, thank you. To all who are engaged in Catholic education as administrators, teachers, aides, or volunteers, thank you. May we be true witnesses to the faith so that we can shape the lives our our young people to learn, serve, lead, and succeed.
FAITH ACTION: Kindly pray this week for all those who are engaged in Catholic education.