“Oh taste and see that the Lord is good: blessed is the one who trusts in him.” ~ Psalm 34:8
It is natural to start with this biblical verse when describing what Discover Catholic Schools Week is all about. This week is about inviting families to come and see the goodness of Catholic schools – institutions that have the Lord front and center in their daily activities and operations.
Discover Catholic Schools Week is a time to help schools form relationships and connect with families, donors, educators and other community members who are looking for a different option when it comes to education. This year, Discover Catholic Schools Week is Nov. 13-19. We could not be more excited to introduce new families to what South Jersey Catholic Schools are all about!
As Sister Rose DiFluri, assistant superintendent of Catholic schools, puts it, “There is something quite intangible about the culture of our Catholic schools. It cannot be experienced by taking a look at the school’s website, no matter how attractive or informative that website may be. It needs to be experienced from the inside. It needs to be felt from the moment you walk into the school. It isn’t just because there are physical artifacts like a crucifix or a statue in the front lobby. It is something that comes alive by the interactions with everyone you meet – students, teachers, administrators, parents – all of whom embody the unique and central message that Christ lives within these walls.”
During Discover Catholic Schools Week and throughout the whole year, we invite everyone to experience the Good News and visit a Catholic school to learn more about why families choose to invest in a Catholic education for their children.
Choosing is an important word here because there are many other options when it comes to education. We want to make sure parents understand that we are a choice that provides a different set of values and “a framework to navigate the world,” Dr. Lee DelleMonache, diocesan director of religious education, suggests.
“As Sister Rose said, there is something intangible in our schools that is hard to find in other kinds of schools, but it is very much present every day in the Church: that is our contagious faith in Jesus,” Dr. DelleMonache says. “I would encourage anyone to come and see what it is like to be part of a community that educates children holistically by nurturing their souls, minds and bodies. As parents, learning more about Catholic schools and the other options available in our local communities empowers us to make well-informed decisions – decisions that lead us to find the best fit for our children and for the entire family!”
As we enter Discover Catholic Schools Week, we celebrate the gift of Catholic education for the families who continuously choose us and for those who are yet to come. We celebrate our traditions and our innovations to continue to be leaders in developing young minds spiritually, academically and in service to others, and we pray to the Holy Spirit to give our teachers the wisdom and courage to continue to give our students the tools they need to be faithful citizens in a challenging world.
Marianela Nuñez is director of enrollment and outreach for the Diocese of Camden’s Office of Catholic Schools.
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