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Catholic Schools Week

January 2012

My dear Friends:

FAITH. ACADEMICS. SERVICE. This is the theme of the 2012 Catholic Schools Week. It speaks to the purpose of our Catholic schools. It is important to notice that of the three purposes of Catholic schools, Faith is first. This not by chance but by design. This is because our Faith is the primary and overriding reason for the existence of Catholic schools. The primary purpose for which Catholic schools exist is to transmit the faith. If a school that calls itself Catholic is not transmitting the faith then it should not bear the name Catholic. Our Catholic school system prepares our children to know their faith, to defend their faith and, most importantly, to live their faith.

The academics are, of course, also important; that is why our Catholic schools work very hard to ensure that our children receive the very best in academics. Our schools do not hold second place to any other school or school system. Our teachers are among the best and are prepared for whatever subjects they teach. Our goal is to prepare our children academically to go into the world equipped with a first-rate education.

Service is an outgrowth of faith and education. Faith-filled people, educated people, wise people seek to give of what they have received, seek to share with others the good they have acquired. Service comes naturally and easily to people of faith. Our Catholic school system prepares our children to be generous, to reach out to those in need, to share the good things the Lord has given them.

We are blessed in our Diocese to have an exceptional Catholic school system. I take this opportunity to thank Mr. Michael Clines, our Diocesan Superintendent of Schools, under whose leadership our Catholic school system functions so well. I also thank the administration, faculty and staff of each of our schools for their dedication and loyalty to their given vocation of teaching. I thank all those who in any way support our Catholic schools. I am very grateful to the parents of the children enrolled in our Catholic schools for the sacrifices I know so many of you make to provide your children with a thoroughly Catholic school education. God will bless you for it.

There are certainly alternatives to a Catholic school education, but there is no substitute!

Yours devotedly in the Lord, 

Most Rev. Roger J. Foys, D.D.

Bishop of Covington