by Bishop Michael G. Duca
The month of August brings to mind the beginning of school. Although I didn’t feel this as a child while I was in school, I cannot now express how thankful I am for the teachers and the support of my parents that allowed me to get a good education.
Education is one of the essential ministries of the Church. One important part of this education is handing on our Faith to our children. Parents have the first responsibility and right to educate their children in the Faith. They do this most effectively by their example and by teaching their children prayers, traditions, stories and by answering their questions about God. The family is where we learn our most enduring lessons of faith and where we receive our most profound first formation in the Faith. In fact if the faith is not lived at home by word and example, no amount of lessons outside the home will be as effective. But when the faith is lived at home, the help provided by Catholic education through our Catholic schools and religious education programs in the parish offers an even deeper understanding of the faith and a help to parents.
I am an alumnus of Catholic schools and I am a witness to their ability to form and educate our children. We should always keep in our minds that the purpose of our Catholic schools is not just to provide a good education. Catholic schools must be schools that provide a solid Catholic faith formation along side of a good education founded on Catholic values. This Catholic identity of our schools is an essential quality that we must maintain.
August will also bring the beginning of our religious education classes for our children in the parish. Part of this will be preparations for the sacraments of Reconciliation and First Communion. Our older students will prepare for Confirmation, and I look forward to being with you to celebrate this Sacrament of the Holy Spirit in your parishes. We need to commit ourselves to a high level of quality in our Religious Education programs, both in the parishes and our Catholic schools. In justice we owe our children our best effort.
There is no doubt we can all do better in the faith education and formation of our youth. I am beginning to actively consider how we can address the challenges in our religious education programs, both in our parishes and our Catholic Schools.
First, in regards to our Youth, we are currently seeking a new director for Youth and Young Adult Ministry in the diocese. I imagine any changes will include a close cooperation between our youth ministers and the religious education program, especially with our teens and young adults.
Second, in regard to religious education, I will hold two listening sessions in August (one in Shreveport and one in Monroe) with those actively teaching religious education in our parishes so they can describe the challenges, successes, frustrations and hopes they have experienced in this ministry. This will be one of the first steps in developing a vision for the future and a description of the person needed for an Office of Religious Education and Faith Formation.
Education in our faith is one of the most important works we do as the Church. It is in fact an aspect of the primary command of Jesus to go out and preach the Good News. Whether we accomplish this in the home, at a Catholic school or in a Religious Education program, let it always be our best work.
