Do You Have Your I.D?

"Teachers and administrators, whether in universities or schools, have the duty and privilege to ensure that students receive instruction in Catholic doctrine and practice. This requires that public witness to the way of Christ, as found in the Gospel and upheld by the Church's magisterium, shapes all aspects of an institution's life, both inside and outside the classroom."
Pope Benedict XVI

Enhancing our Catholic identity has been one of the goals Saint Joseph's School worked toward this year and will work even harder on next year. Maintaining the academic standards that make our graduates champions in high school and beyond is hard but satisfying work. It is worthless, however, if Christ is not recognized in everything we do. Our students and staff attend Mass together, receive the sacraments together and pray as one body united with Christ. Religion is also an academic and spiritual content area in our curriculum.

We want our students to share their Catholic identity whenever possible in both word and deed. Being a Saint Joseph's student should carry a responsibility outside the classroom too. A happy athlete who plays fair, an altar server who can be counted upon, a cheerful volunteer to those in need and a friend to all regardless of social status; these are a few attributes of the Catholic identity we want to nurture in our students.

Parents must help us in this endeavor because they are the first and most important teachers in their childrens' lives. They too must give witness to the Catholic faith and be resolute in passing it on to their children. Our children are the future of the Catholic church and we must help them establish their identity within and in relationship to that glorius reality. The Catholic theological and philosophical tradition always pursues the truth and seeks the common good. The Catholic identity must not be denied in that pursuit. The home and school must support each other to build our childrens' understanding that they are part of God's kingdom in the Church his Son established through his life, death and resurrection.

When it comes to Catholic identity we all know how to talk. Let's not forget the walk. It leads to salvation in Jesus Christ.