During the week of Sunday, Nov. 13 through Saturday, Nov. 19, Catholic Schools in the Diocese of Amarillo will join in a nationwide campaign designated to help Catholic Schools connect with prospective families, donors, educators and community members. Catholic schools offer Dividends for Life. This former national campaign theme that drew attention to the many beneficial aspects of a Catholic education is applicable today. In these tight economic times, the theme reminds parents and donors that the dividends—Faith, knowledge, morals and discipline—truly are payable for life. Our schools collaborate with families to develop children into future church leaders and citizens. There’s no better way to invest in a child’s future!
Over the years, our Catholic schools have played a significant part in the mission of the Catholic Church. They are a proven instrument for passing on the Faith. Historically the Church has turned to Catholic Schools to help carry out her teaching mission. Catholic Schools are a gift to the Diocese of Amarillo because they serve a diverse population of students from all economic backgrounds and give them a strong academic and Faith foundation. They are recognized as centers of learning that foster personal development and growth, enriched with a sense of self-fulfillment and worth, and guided by basic and essential moral values. Our students are the future of our church.
Bishops have emphasized that the entire Catholic community is called to evangelize our culture and have stressed that Catholic elementary and secondary schools play a critical and irreplaceable role in this endeavor when they stated, “If evangelization is to be true to itself, it cannot take place apart from education; it is directly related to it.” The future of Catholic education is intimately tied to our ability to clearly manifest our identity, the uniqueness of our message and its life-giving quality. All who are a part of this effort are profoundly aware that wherever we teach, catechize, instruct and form, we must do so with the realization that ours is an invitation to encounter the living Lord and His Church.
I invite you to DISCOVER how you can be a part of our Catholic Schools. We need the entire Catholic community to assist in our evangelizing efforts. Whether enrolling a student, supporting a school fundraising effort, volunteering your time, or making a financial contribution, you are welcome and you are needed!
As we enter the season of Thanksgiving, I would like to personally thank all who already support our schools through prayer, volunteering, fundraising and charitable donations. It is through the tremendous support of the Faithful in our diocese and school communities that we can look to the future of our Catholic schools with hope and confidence.
Find out about Discover Catholic Schools Week by visiting one of the five Catholic Schools in the Diocese of Amarillo. Those schools are: • Holy Cross Catholic Academy, Amarillo, 806-355-9637, online at holycrossama.org. Craig Logan is Head of School; • St. Joseph School, Amarillo, 806-359-1604, online at stjosephamarillo.com. Patricia Martinez is in her first year as principal. • St. Mary’s Cathedral School, Amarillo, 806-376-9112, online at stmarysamarillo.org. Lydia O’Rear is principal. • St. Anthony of Padua School, Dalhart, 806-244-4811, online at stanthonydalhart.com. Shay Batenhorst serves as principal; and, • St. Anthony School, Hereford, 806-364-1952, online at herefordstanthonys.com. Linda Gonzalez is in her first year as principal.
Christine Wanjura is Superintendent of Catholic Schools in the Diocese of Amarillo and Lubbock.