Pastor preaches on importance of Catholic schools
Bishop calls educators “architects of a hopeful tomorrow”
Catholic schools are a fundamental part of a parish’s mission to evangelize and pass along the faith.
“It’s our major role, it’s our major help, it’s our major evangelization tool, it’s our major mission,” Monsignor Robert A. Kurwicki, pastor of St. Peter Parish in Jefferson City and vicar general of the Jefferson City diocese, stated in a homily on the Sunday of Catholic Schools Week.
“It’s HERE where you learn the basic things of your education,” he pointed out.
Msgr. Kurwicki noted that the national theme for this year’s Catholic Schools Week (celebrated Jan. 26-Feb. 1) was “United in Faith and Community.”
“Our school is a large part of our faith, it’s a big part of our community,” he said. “Let us be proud of it, let us promote it, and let us pray for its success.”
He praised the illustrious history of St. Peter School, founded and nurtured by the School Sisters of Notre Dame and the Brothers of the Christian Schools, and continued by lay teachers and administrators and generations of Catholic families and students.
“Your ancestors understood the purpose of a Catholic school — to make saints,” the priest reminded the congregants.
“And as the goal of making saints is a part of the parish, our school is vital to the handing on of the faith to these young people who are part of our families,” he said.
He pointed out that a good Catholic school influences the entire community.
“Children here go on to do great things, in government, in the private sector and in the Church,” he noted. “And it’s here where the foundation is set.”
St. Peter counts among its alumni one Missouri governor.
“There’s no reason why it can’t have two or three more in the future that is to come,” said Msgr. Kurwicki.
He said that in every generation, a school needs two things to survive: children and money.
“That’s your part,” he told the congregation. “Over the years, you’ve supported the school greatly. And you need to continue to do so.”
He said that by the time he retires as a pastor, he would like to see the school’s enrollment double.
“But a pastor can’t do that alone,” he stated. “I need YOU to love this school. I need YOU to understand why we have a school. I need YOU to promote the school and have your kids and grandkids and friends here.”
He also asked everyone to pray daily for the students, teachers and staff of their Catholic school.
“Ask the Holy Spirit to bless all those who are teachers here,” he appealed. “They’re working to make your children and your grandchildren saints.
“And when they get to heaven, one by one, as saints, they’ll hopefully intercede to Jesus for all of us,” he said.
Hope for the future
Bishop W. Shawn McKnight greeted the teachers and staff of the diocese’s Catholic schools with a special Jubilee year of Hope message at the beginning of Catholic Schools Week.
He spoke of the profound sense of hope that young people bring to this community.
“In their eyes, we see the promise of a brighter future, a future shaped by the values of faith, knowledge and service,” the bishop stated.
He said that the dedicated educators and staff of the diocese’s 37 Catholic grade schools, three Catholic high schools and one early childhood center are caretakers of that hope.
“Every lesson you teach, every obstacle you help a student overcome, and each time you model our faith, it nurtures this hope and helps it grow,” Bishop McKnight told them. “You are shaping not just minds but hearts — instilling in our young people the virtues that will carry them through life.”
He said this Jubilee year is reminder to everyone that hope is a gift from God – “one that flourishes through your work in our schools.”
“You are the architects of a hopeful tomorrow,” the bishop stated.
There are about 7,000 students enrolled in Catholic schools in this diocese. A complete list of them can be found at: diojeffcity.org/schools.
