2023 Catholic Schools Week

The teachings of the Church guide our Catholic schools

By Brian Disney (Superintendent of Catholic schools in the archdiocese)

The Catholic Schools Week Supplement in this issue of The Criterion focuses on Catholic school alumni who are living our faith and changing the world. Catholic schools have a long and successful tradition of developing leaders across the globe. Our alumni are leaders in government, education, business, social services, sports, the Church and many more areas.

(Read all the stories in our supplement)

Currently, 62 million students worldwide and more than 20,000 students in the archdiocese are attending Catholic schools in pre-kindergarten, elementary and secondary schools. What separates our Catholic schools from other private and public schools? Our schools are guided by Church teaching.

“The Catholic school forms part of the saving mission of the Church, especially for the education in the faith” (The Catholic School, #9). Our Catholic schools are first and foremost a community of faith. Every Catholic school in the archdiocese has a prominently displayed sign which states, “Christ is the reason for this school.”

Catholic school education constantly refers to the Gospel and offers frequent encounters with Christ through prayer, the sacraments and the school community. Our students gradually mature in their faith to become Christian men and women who live and act in conformity with the Gospel. They learn to integrate their faith with their lived experiences. Catholic school students learn to discern the voice of God to serve others and make the world a better place. They become Christian disciples who live their faith and show non-Christians something of the mystery of Christ.

Catholic schools greatly value partnerships with parents, the primary teachers of their children. This parent-school relationship in our Catholic school communities is uniquely supportive and collaborative. “It is incumbent upon parents to cooperate closely with the school teachers to whom they entrust their children … teachers are to collaborate closely with parents who are to be willingly heard” (Code of Canon Law, #796). Parents and educators are called to work closely together in the education of our children.

This education is more than ensuring our students are academically prepared to be productive contributors to our country and world. A Catholic school education “must strive for complete formation of the human person … that they are able to develop their physical, moral and intellectual talents harmoniously, acquire a more perfect sense of responsibility and right use of freedom, and are formed to participate actively in social life” (Code of Canon Law, #795).

Our Catholic schools strive to exceed the academic rigor and performance of other schools. In addition to strong academics, formation of the whole child includes opportunities to serve others, grow in community and be leaders. Our Catholic school students are preparing to build the kingdom of God on Earth and to live eternally in God’s heavenly kingdom.

As you read about our alumni in this Catholic Schools Week Supplement, notice the impact of the Catholic school community built on the foundation of Christ. See the impact of the parents and educators closely collaborating. Recognize the impact of the education of the whole child. Identify how Church teachings guide our Catholic schools to greatness.

To enroll your child, to support our Catholic schools financially, to volunteer, to seek employment or to learn more about Catholic school education in the archdiocese, contact your local school or visit the Office of Catholic Schools webpage (ocs.archindy.org).

God bless our Catholic schools! †