This Week, January 28-February 3, 2007, is Catholic Schools Week. I am a Catholic school teacher and I support our Catholic schools.
I know that Catholic schools have gotten a bad rap from some over the years, and in many cases, these accusations have been true. One major concern I hear, especially from fellow orthodox Catholics, is that sometimes Catholic school teachers are either ignorant of the Catholic faith or purposely dissent from the faith, and parents fear for their kids. I am sure most bloggers can think of examples.
However, isn’t the idea behind Catholic schools a good one?: Educate children in the Catholic faith, provide them a strong moral community, and give them a solid education that often rivals public education. I say this because even if the system needs fixed, it doesn’t need discarded. Besides, some of the parents I hear complain about the heterodoxy of some Catholic school teachers send their kids to the local public schools. I wouldn’t trade heterodoxy for secularism, or a small moral community for a large, disordered one.
I support our Catholic schools. Remember, the answer to the wrong use of something is not necessarily disuse, but right use. Orthodox teachers and students can be a witness to everyone about the power and value of the Catholic. Our kids can be an important part of forming the morality of the local community. In other words, as always, Catholic schools need good and faithful Catholics.
David Bennett
Jennifer
asimplesinner
Fr. J.
Chad Toney
Jorge Flores
Jonathan B
carmelbennett
nicenehobbit
Jason S
jaybird68
papaz
January 29, 2007 at 1:25 am
I heartily agree with you about the value of Catholic schools. It is true that some teachers are not teaching what they should –by ignorance or by choice– but that is a problem to be solved– not a reason to abandon Catholic schools.
As a former Catholic school teacher and principal, I wish you a Happy Catholic Schools Week. I know you are putting lots of time and energy into making it a success.