Dear Parishioners,
As I write this week, our
elementary school children have headed back to school—some to Holy Angels Catholic School and others
to the various public schools in the area.
First of all, I ask parents with
school-aged children to consider the possibility of a Catholic school
education for their children. (I admit that I write with a certain
bias towards a Catholic school education having attended Catholic
schools for over 21 years and having been a teacher and/or administrator in
Catholic schools for 20 years.) I am well aware that, unfortunately, not
every family is able to afford the tuition associated with a Catholic school.
This being said, what does a
Catholic school have to offer? The simple answer is the integration of
faith, morals and the love of Jesus Christ as part of the life of the
school. The administration, teachers and staff of Holy Angels Catholic School are
working very hard to accomplish this task. Together with strong parental
support, the school is meant to be an extended family. I have witnessed
our school community living out its faith, striving to improve its academic curriculum
and seeking to add additional programs to benefit its students. I welcome Mrs. Patricia Paulsen as our new
principal. She comes with many
years of experience as an educator and, as its new leader, is eager to see our
school grow and flourish! I congratulate
the faculty and staff of our school for their continued dedication and fine
work!
I have told prospective families
for years now that our Catholic school students are our best
advertisement. I encourage prospective families to pray about it, make an
appointment to visit and see if a Catholic school may be the right fit for your
child(ren). Yes, the added expense of tuition is difficult.
However, a limited amount of tuition assistance may be available for needy
families. Isn’t sacrifice usually a necessary part of obtaining
something truly valuable?
Whether students attend our
Catholic school or participate in our religious education program, my
expectation is that they will attend Mass
weekly. It is so important that faith is practiced continually,
beginning with prayer and example in the home, aided by religious instruction
both in the home and by our various religion teachers, and lived-out
by worship at Mass each week. If students are supported by the
example of loving parents who practice their faith, and students try to live
out the teachings of their faith as articulated in the home, in their religion
classes and from the pulpit, then I think that they will be as well-prepared as
anyone to face the challenges, trials and tribulations that life may present.
My thanks to those parents who do
their very best as the first teachers of their children in the
ways of faith. I pray that you be the best teachers by
word and example. You make many sacrifices for your children and their
well-being. There is certainly no greater responsibility that
we have for them than for their eternal salvation.
See you at Mass!
Fr.
Ed Namiotka
Pastor
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