2024-01-24-eEdition

PAGE 8 THE CATHOLIC WEEK JANUARY 24, 2025 facts and figures taught in all of our classrooms, our students are formed for eternity. "The teacher does not write on inanimate material, but on the very spirits of human beings" (Congrega- tion, 1998).This week, we celebrate our school communities that understand the importance of preparing for college and heaven. I ask for your prayers for the ministry of Catholic education in the Archdiocese of Mobile. Our schools are great beacons of light to a world that is in a gloomy age. Pray that we can bring more families and children to a living relationship with Jesus and prepare them to similarly evangelize the world as they grow up. I offer prayers of thanksgiving for all of our teachers, staff members and principals who see their efforts as a vocation and ministry. May we celebrate their good work this week and share our gratitude with them. May God continue to give them patience, perseverance and understanding to lead our schools. Lastly, our schools are blessed by benefactors who under- stand and support this mission with their donations.Their giv- ing helps keep tuition low, provides scholarships and has been the foundation for many building projects across the archdio- cese. I offer grateful prayers for these generous givers who have built up our schools over the 150 years of this archdiocese. Enjoy Catholic Schools Week and spread the word about our vibrant schools. Advocate to your friends about this vital partnership and mission. Chad Barwick Executive Director for Catholic Education /Superintendent of Schools Relationship From page 7 Archdiocese of Mobile Office of Catholic Schools 352 Government Street Mobile, AL 36602 251.438.4611 mobarchschools.org Chad Barwick Executive Director for Catholic Education and Superintendent of Schools cbarwick@mobarch.org Karen Abreo Associate Superintendent for Academics kabreo @ mobarch.org Virginia Koppersmith Associate Superintendent for Student Services gkoppersmith@ mobarch.org Hailey Kerstiens Communications Coordinator hkerstiens@mobarch.org M. Hortense Dunn Senior Secretary & Bookkeeper hdunn @ mobarch.org Catholic schools in the Archdiocese of Mobile Christ the King, Daphne Corpus Christi, Mobile Little Flower, Mobile McGill-Toolen Catholic High School, Mobile Montgomery Catholic Preparatory, Montgomery High School campus Middle School campus Holy Spirit campus St. Bede campus Resurrection, Montgomery St. Benedict, Elberta St. Dominic, Mobile St. Ignatius, Mobile St. John Montessori, Enterprise St. Mary, Mobile St. Michael Catholic High School, Fairhope St. Michael, Auburn St. Patrick, Robertsdale St. Pius X, Mobile Archdiocese of Mobile Our annual celebration of Catholic Schools Week is an opportunity for us to reflect upon the importance of a Catholic school education. As often said, Catholic schools educate the whole student: academically, socially, culturally, physically, and spiritually. Catholics schools offer, not only an education, but also a formation. Catholic schools assist students in discovering and developing their God- given talents. In doing so, the students receive a foundation which will bless them throughout their lives as they build upon this foundation. But even more importantly, Catholics schools teach the students who God is. If we forget who God is, then we forget who we are.Without faith in God and knowing that God offers us the gift of eternal life, our lives become meaningless, if not absurd.Without God, we can only focus upon the here and now.There is no lasting or permanent purpose to life, only what is temporary, and life becomes empty. Catholic schools educate the students in the truth: there is a reason why we ex- ist, there is a reason why we are alive.We are created to know, love and serve God in this life, and to be happy with Him forever in heaven. Our schools teach and proclaim the truth about who God is so that we can know the truth about who we are. I praise God for our schools. Enrollment has increased in recent years. In the past few years, Catholic educations has expanded to areas of the archdiocese that have not had Catholic schools before, both with an elementary school in Lee County and a high school in Baldwin County. Continuing consideration in being given to establishing Catholic schools in other areas of the archdio- cese. In addition, two studies of Catholic schools have begun, one in Mobile County and the other in Baldwin County, to study how to encourage enrollment and to provide for future needs. I am excited about both studies. I praise God for His blessings which are showered upon us in this Archdiocese. And I thank God for all who support our schools with dedicated commitment and generosity. I thank Mr. Barwick, Superintendent of Catholic Schools and all who serve in the Archdiocesan Department for Catholic Education and for our Catholic school administrators, faculties, staffs and all who serve in our schools. I thank the friends of Catholic schools who offer support. I thank our clergy for their concern for our young people and for Catholic education. Especially, I thank the families of our students who, often at great sacrifice, make it possible for their children to have the blessing of a Catholic education. You are an inspiration. Together, let us continue to work to ensure our kids have the foundation in education they need to meet the challenges of the future, and the foundation in faith to live this present life prepared for the life to come. May God bless you all. Sincerely in the Lord, +Thomas J. Rodi Archbishop of Mobile