We are blessed to provide a Catholic School Education here at Corpus Christi as part of our Faith Formation for Families. The Second Vatican Council taught that: … the role of parents in education is of such importance that it is almost impossible to provide an adequate substitute (Gravissimum Educationis, Declaration on Christian Education, 3; Catechism of the Catholic Church, 2221).
Many of the problems we have in our society and in our Church when it comes to educating and forming the next generation of citizens and Christians stem from parents not adequately fulfilling their duty to be the first and best educators of their children. This education and formation, of course, begins in the home. As you well know, the Church asks all parents to create “a home where tenderness, forgiveness, respect, fidelity, and disinterested service are the rule. The home is well suited for education in the virtues” (CCC, 2223). The home should be the place where children learn and are formed in all the virtues, both natural (for example, justice, temperance, fortitude, and so forth) and supernatural (faith, hope, and charity).
The home should also be the place where children first learn to pray, be evangelized, and grow in the faith (see CCC, 2225–2228). This is done by both word and deed — by formal instruction, but also by the influence of the daily routine, the example as parents, and the whole family. As Jesus grew in “wisdom and age and favor before God and man” (Luke 2:52), so we all are to grow in “wisdom and age and favor” before God and man. Parents are particularly responsible to set an excellent example and help each child to embrace their call to holiness and to discover their personal vocation. You do not and need not stand alone in your fulfillment of these duties if parents choose to become active members of the parish and make participation in the Sunday Eucharist a priority.
Our parish and the Universal Church is obligated to assist parents in fulfilling their roles as parents and educators. Unfortunately, as it becomes more difficult for families to choose to be fully participating members of our parish in attendance at Mass and the practice of Stewardship, our parish as well as most others, struggle to provide affordable Catholic education for all. That being said, Corpus Christi is committed to ensure that all Catholics have access to Catholic schools even if they cannot afford our increasing fees. Know that any active Catholic family who desires their child to attend a Catholic school will be aided by our parish.
Of course, as parents you will continue your role as the primary educators of your children in all things. You will maintain the right and the duty to access the formation your children are receiving at their Catholic school. You will want to take an active part in helping your school become a true center of educational excellence and a place of prayer and training in holiness. You will want to help your children’s Catholic school to be truly Christocentric — centered on Jesus Christ because Jesus is the reason our Catholic schools exist. They exist to help each and every student come “to know, love, and serve him” in this life and “to be with him forever in the next.” In other words, our schools exist to help parents form their children as true Christians — “other Christs” — in the world. At Corpus Christi, let us be united in faith and community to bring all children to Christ through His Church.
God Bless,
