Catholic School Community

Archbishop to Philly: Bittersweet

In South Dakota I owned and operated restaurants at the same time I was serving various positions in education. It's ironic that I catered the Archbishop's Episcopal Ordination in 1988: 5000 box lunches, a dinner for 600, and a reception for 400. I'm glad not to be doing that in Philadelphia!

Through a series of circumstances I worked with then Bishop Charles in Catholic schools. We scooted around Rapid City in my Honda, eating at McDonalds, and raising money for a new high school, which opened in 1991. I then served as Superintendent until he left to serve in the Archdiocese of Denver.

In 2001 , I came to Denver to serve as an Associate Superintendent and in a few years became Superintendent. Given this 20-plus year history with the Archbishop as friend and in service to the Church, the announcement--although not entirely unexpected--was very bittersweet. The bitter is that I will no longer be serving this wonderful and great man in his courageous and tireless ministry; the sweet is that my wife and I will always remain with him in friendship, and I think he is perfect for the Church in Philadelphia, led there through the Holy Spirit.

Gratitude for Benefactors

As we engage in the process of allocating over $3.5 million in grants for our schools for the 2011-12 school year, we are reminded to convey our gratitude and pray for our benefactors--including parishes throughout the Church of northern Colorado--who help keep our Catholic schools available, affordable, and accessible to as many families as possible. These grants are especially meaningful in that Catholic schools are often the only opportunity for economically disadvantaged young people to receive an education of quality that speaks to the development of the whole person.

Is There Really Hope in the Young, Principle Seven of Seven

This is the seventh of a series of seven principles for Catholic educators based on the words and actions of John Paul II as he conveyed in Crossing the Threshold of Hope.

"We need the enthusiasm of the young. In it is reflected something of the original joy God had in creating man. The young experience the same joy within themselves."

Principle Seven for Catholic Educators: See in children reflected something of the original joy God had in creating man and to reflect that enthusiasm and joy in your teaching.

 

 

 

Is There Really Hope in the Young, Principle Six of Seven

This is the sixth of a series of seven principles for Catholic educators based on the words and actions of John Paul II as he conveyed in Crossing the Threshold of Hope.

This is the sixth of a series of seven principles for Catholic educators based on the words and actions of John Paul II as he conveyed in Crossing the Threshold of Hope.

"World Youth Days have become a great and fascinating witness that young people give of themselves. They have become a powerful means of evangelization. In the young there is, in fact, an immense potential for good and for creative possibility. And I always point out: “What I am going to say to you is not as important as what you are going to say to me. You will not necessarily say it to me in words; you will say it to me by your presence, by your song, perhaps by your dancing, by your skits, and finally your enthusiasm.”

Principle Six for Catholic Educators:  Believe that in youth there is immense potential for good and for creative possibility, and that in teaching children you convey “what I am going to say to you is not as important as what you are going to say to me, not necessarily in words.”  Know that as Catholic educators you have the honor and the responsibility to help develop the talents of every student to the fullest and to instill in them the enthusiasm and knowledge to evangelize the wider community in the name of the Gospel.