Mission and identity go together. We become more conscious and at home with who we are supposed to be the more we understand the nature of what we do and the reason for doing it. What is our mission in Catholic Education? I let the Document of Education promulgated by the Second Vatican explain this to us. “The church’s involvement in the field of education is demonstrated especially by the Catholic school. No less than often school does the Catholic School pursue cultural goals and the natural development of youth. But it has several distinctive purposes. It aims to create for the school community an atmosphere enlivened by the gospel spirit of freedom and charity. It aims to help the young person in such a way that the development of his own personality will be matched by the growth of that new creation which he/she became by baptism. It strives to relate all human culture eventually to the news of salvation, so that the light of faith will illumine the knowledge which students gradually gain of the world, of life and of humankind”. N.8
This reality is also very clearly expressed in a document released by the Vatican Congregation for Catholic education entitled: “The Catholic School at the threshold of the New Millennium”. It says in No 15, “Catholic Schools also have a missionary thrust by means of which they make a significant contribution into the evangelizing mission of the church throughout the world.” In plain English we are all here involved in God’s work and not simply in another human enterprise. We are all involved not only in the formation of so many so that they will be able to develop and exercise to the full their natural talents and qualities to be of service to others. We are also involved in the privilege of forming people to prepare them for eternity. This is our uniqueness. Thank you for saying “yes” to one of the most exciting and meaningful ventures that any human being can be involved in. This is God’s work.
All of this calls for people with a big heart in addition to the necessary professionalism. All of this entails courage. However there is no courage without clear sightedness. A person who steps into a difficult situation without being aware of the true nature and potential hazards of what he or she has committed themselves to is not being courageous. A courageous person is a person who is fully aware of the nature of his or her mission. Is fully aware of what he or she is committed to and still says yes. Courage claims our freedom to do what is right, despite the risks. Involvement in Catholic education is a difficult and very challenging call. Catholic education pursues what is the best for our students, parents, teachers and volunteers in the field of human, social and educational development. However, we also stand for something which is very revolutionary. We are part and parcel of a mission which is life transforming and life giving. This mission carries with it all that Jesus Christ stands for, His values, His ideals, His teachings and we are called to embrace this; to live it and to pass it on. Wow what a privilege. Do not be afraid.
Courage also entails endurance and perseverance. It is hanging in there faithfully and patiently when it is hard. All of you can identify with this as you walk with your students and with their parents. Walk deeper now. Go for the lot. Dream the big drams and enjoy the greater vision. Yes it takes time as you see your students develop over a number of years. Yes it is a hard journey as you accompany these entrusted to you from one school year to the next. Yes you experience great satisfaction when you meet with some of your students after they have left school and realize that they are doing quite well. This is all good. But I want to invite you to dream a bit bigger. Encourage your students to base their lives on the teachings and example of Jesus Christ. Encourage your students and help them to pray and to reflect on the kind of life that they are living. Strengthen those students awareness of how our Catholic faith helps to answer the real questions about the meaning of life. Explore with them seriously how important it is for all of us to be involved actively in the life of our parishes. Nurture our students to integrate their amazing generosity in their concern for others and for social justice with the amazing and passionate love that the God has for us. Journey with our students as the failings of our church’s past and present are openly confessed and at the same time make them aware of the richness, depth and the wisdom that has permeated the life of our church for the benefit of so many even the past two thousand years. Yes courage demands perseverance and commitment. Do not be afraid.
Finally, courage refuses isolation and builds communities. We can only do God’s work when we are seeped in his values and when we are together as a community. Jesus made a promise to be with us and he will not back off from that promise. The Chinese are famous for their wise sayings. One of the sayings that I often recall is that a journey of a thousand miles starts with the first step. As people involved in Catholic education and mission is valid for all generations and for all time. It is a mighty call. Its success starts from our own relationship with what our mission is and entails. Its success starts from our own commitment to live the kind of life and formation that we wish our kids and families with the teaching of the church to develop and grow in the life of Jesus. Yes, we are all on a journey; but we are on this journey together. Some of our faith is so weak and so small. Don’t worry. Let’s use it and it will grow. Our call is not to bring this mission to our own level but to work together and to live our life in a close relationship with our God in communion with the church so that we will rise up to accomplish what we have been chosen for. Do not be afraid. Let’s walk bravely, resolutely, passionately and together into the future.
God bless.
