In these days, many families and communities are getting ready for that special moment that takes place every year — the beginning of the school year.
In the Archdiocese of San Antonio, we have been blessed with the opening of two new Catholic schools this year: a high school located in New Braunfels — which I will bless on Sept. 12 — and is called “John Paul II High School”; and an elementary school in Pleasanton that is named “Our Lady of Grace Academy.”
Back to school time is always a moment marked by joy and some anxiety, especially for those who enter into a new educational level; but that’s also true for parents, who know that a good education is one of the best treasures they can give to their children.
However, in many parts of our country, the beginning of the new school year has been affected by the economic downturn: many public schools have suffered from budget reductions, and on the Catholic side, many schools had to be closed or consolidated, either because of low enrollment or the lack of resources from parishes or dioceses to keep them operating.
The church has always considered education a fundamental duty, part of her mission, especially in our country. In the Declaration on Christian Education in the documents of Vatican II, we read, “In a special way, the duty of educating belongs to the church, not merely because she must be recognized as a human society capable of educating, but especially because she has the responsibility of announcing the way of salvation to all men, of communicating the life of Christ to those who believe, and, in her unfailing solicitude, of assisting men to be able to come to the fullness of this life.”
The church in each diocese of our country, always tries to provide the best possible education in knowledge and values, not only to Catholics but to all those who freely desire to receive it.
And this is also the reason why citizens, the church and local or federal authorities, should find creative ways to offer to low-income families the possibility to choose among different educational options, in such a way that no children are left behind simply because their parents do not have the means to obtain a better education.
Any method that provides options to students and strengthens educational institutions so they can provide a valued service to the community, is a win-win deal.
In San Antonio, like in the whole country, we have suffered the impact of the economic crisis; but our Catholic community is committed to the mission of providing solid and accessible education through Catholic schools.
We are also making every effort to continue invest all that we can so that our school will remain open and continue to improve the quality of education, the fidelity to the Gospel, and welcome all those who wish to learn.
It is a true blessing that these two new Catholic Schools are opening despite the economic struggles that face our country today.
It is a sign of the commitment of the Catholic community to its duty to continue educating our children, and a sign of how the Lord himself assists us with his grace, if we only make a sincere effort.
The whole community shares in this effort — especially Catholic parents — in order to accomplish this task that is essential for our church and our society.
Let us pray for all the students who are heading back to school, and especially for a solid present and a promising future for Catholic education at all levels, both in our archdiocese and in our country.