Successful school year ahead thanks to hard work, unity

Sisters and brothers,

Last year, as the 2020-21 school year opened, all of us were wondering what school would be like amidst a pandemic. Great thought and hard work went in to the planning, but no one could claim to be 100 percent certain what would happen. However, thanks to students, parents, staff, teachers and administrators coming together for the common cause of keeping our schools open, we were able to do what some thought impossible.

While I am sure all of us wish the pandemic was far behind us, unfortunately, we’re not quite out of it yet. Things are certainly better and we know much more than we did a year ago, but the work is not yet over.

I have no fear that our schools will be successful again this year. Much like what happens in our schools every day, we continue to learn and adapt to make things not only workable but to provide a scholastic home for excellence.

This pandemic has been an important real world experience for our young people. It has highlighted that when people come together and wisely work in unison for a common cause, amazing things can happen. We have done this before, and we can do it again.

In my conversations with school community members this summer, I am confident our students, parents, staff, teachers and administrators remain committed to ensuring that Catholic education continues uninterrupted – irrespective of personal feelings regarding vaccines and masks.

We know that our collective goal must remain the safe and successful operation of our schools, whatever sacrifice that requires.

I am proud of all the members of our Catholic school communities for their dedication to our mission to provide a comprehensive education that offers our students an opportunity to not only succeed, but to flourish, and to become the valuable members of society we want them to become as they move toward adulthood.

               
Sincerely in Christ,
Most Reverend Dennis J. Sullivan, D.D.
Bishop of Camden