What would be lost without our schools

By Judith Cauley, CSJ, and Janet Sisler
SPECIAL CONTRIBUTORS

As Catholic Schools Week begins throughout our archdiocese and throughout our nation, it is easy to find reasons to “Celebrate Catholic Schools”– this year’s NCEA Catholic Schools Week theme.

One of the greatest reasons to celebrate but one we often lose sight of is that Catholic schools not only enrich the church but also our nation. Catholic educators share a mission to serve the public good by promoting the development of informed, responsible and caring citizens.

Over the past few years, as we have sought public funds for our schools and for our people, we have documented well how our schools serve the public good. Perhaps looking at what would be LOST if Catholic schools did not exist might help us recognize the monumental impact of our efforts.

We would lose…

• a moral and ethical perspective from a rich faith tradition.
• a history of excellence in education
• a capacity for being successful in working with learners from low socio-economic backgrounds.
• experience in the development of community conscience and the building of community.
• the capacity for successful outcomes with limited resources.
• a significant voice for social justice.
• the gifts and talents of individuals and groups united by a common vision and values for a good society.
  
• an identity and integrity expressed in community service and stewardship.
• a spirit of hope and respect that is both transcendent and grounded in human experience.
• a strong voice of moral and ethical leadership.

In Illinois alone, we save the taxpayers $1.4 billion annually. Catholic Schools Week seems a perfect time, then, to remind us and others of our connection to the nation–to reinforce that Catholic schools provide a major service in the development of good citizens.

This is also the time to remember that one of the ways our state has recognized our contribution to the public good is through the Education Tax Credit bill signed into law in 1999. Beginning this month, families may report to the state their expenditures for education that amount to more than $250 on tuition, book fees and lab fees. They may claim 25 percent of the balance up to $500 per family annually.

Furthermore, we urge you to join us in future efforts to pursue financial assistance for our families to ensure that public funds follow students in all schools that serve the public good.

During Catholic Schools Week let us celebrate that the values that the citizenry at large is demanding–respect for God, for country, for self and for each other–have always been held close in Catholic schools. Catholic schools are champions of that agenda with a faith-based education.



Cauley and Sisler are interim co-superintendents of the Office of Catholic Schools.