Diocese of Lansing Catholic Schools Report : Page 7
seek to provide. Too few of our schools are actively involved in the New Evangelization. And many of our schools are facing financial stress and other challenges. Reclaiming the Common Good of Catholic Schools Many Catholics view Catholic schools as a good option for those who are able to afford them, rather Year after year, parishes within our own diocese, than the best choice that we must strive to make like many others around the country, are forced available to every Catholic family. In many ways, to ask whether they can afford to keep their we have lost the missionary spirit of earlier days, Catholic schools open. Schools, and the parishes when families sacrificed to build Catholic schools that support them, struggle to balance budgets, and churches, and made Catholic schools available wondering how to attract more students, to to all Catholics, regardless of financial means. We grow rather than diminish in size. Fewer and are duty bound to help the “least of these,” the poor fewer families are able (or willing) to make the and disenfranchised Catholics among us, receive sacrifices necessary to send their the benefits of a Catholic education. children to Catholic schools. The In addition, the great Catholic social challenge is greater still for high “[T]he special justice tradition of service to the poor schools, because they have no character of the and minorities in our urban centers parish to subsidize their budget Catholic school, the must be upheld, where possible, shortfalls. underlying reason so that those who are poor are not for it, the reason deprived of the priceless treasure of Not long ago, pastors would why Catholic a Catholic education. As we seek to invite new parishioners to tour fulfill the Lord’s will for our schools, parents should their school and say, meaning we must be mindful of helping those prefer it, is precisely every word, “This is where your who are most vulnerable. Generosity the quality of the children will go to school.” It to those who are in need is central to religious instruction was a foregone conclusion that what it means to be parts of one Body integrated into the every family would send their of Christ. Scripture makes clear our education of the children to Catholic schools. In duty to help those who are in need. pupils.” (Pope John those days, religious brothers (Mt 25:31–46; Lk 10:25–37; 2 Cor Paul II, 1979) and sisters served in large 8:10–15) numbers, and their witness and their ministry allowed Catholic Today it is common for parents, even schools to be both affordable and transformative for those who take seriously their charge to prepare entire generations of Catholics. Pastors today rarely their children for life here and in heaven, to view challenge parents to make every effort to give their Catholic schools as a luxury rather than the best children a Catholic education, even though the educational choice for their families. Education Church continues to emphasize the value of a truly is often viewed as a private good for the students Catholic education. Pope John Paul II stated the and families they serve, rather than as a common case clearly: “[T]he special character of the Catholic good for the benefit of families, our Church and school, the underlying reason for it, the reason why the broader society. When Catholic schools are Catholic parents should prefer it, is precisely the what God wills them to be, they are not merely a quality of the religious instruction integrated into good choice or a great investment; they provide the education of the pupils.” (Pope John Paul II, a tremendous value to the Church and society. 1979) Graduates of strong Catholic schools become 2 Maint enance t o Mission | T ransfor ming Our Catholic Schools
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