“In its declaration Gravissimum Educationis [Vatican II: Declaration on Christian Education, 1965] the Council offered a set of “fundamental principles” regarding Christian education, especially in schools. In the first place, education, as the formation of the human person, is a universal right: “All men of every race, condition and age, since they enjoy the dignity of human being, have an inalienable right to an education that is in keeping with their ultimate goal, their ability, their sex, and the culture and tradition of their country, and also in harmony with their fraternal association with other peoples in the fostering of true unity and peace on earth. For a true education aims at the formation of the human person in the pursuit of his ultimate end and of the good of the societies of which, as man, he is a member, and in whose obligations, as an adult, he will share”
Since education is a right for everyone, the Council called for the responsibility of all. The responsibility of parents and their priority right in educational choices rank first. School choice must be made freely and according to conscience; hence the duty of civil authorities to make different options available in compliance with the law. The State is responsible for supporting families in their right to choose a school and an educational project.
For her part, the Church has the duty to educate “especially because she has the responsibility of announcing the way of salvation to all men, of communicating the life of Christ to those who believe, and, in her unfailing solicitude, of assisting men to be able to come to the fullness of this life. The Church is bound as a mother to give to these children of hers an education by which their whole life can be imbued with the spirit of Christ.” In this sense, the education that the Church pursues is evangelization and care for the growth of those who are already walking towards the fullness of Christ’s life. However, the Church’s educational proposal is not only addressed to her children, but also to “all peoples [to promote] the complete perfection of the human person, the good of earthly society and the building of a world that is more human” Evangelization and integral human development are intertwined in the Church’s educational work. In fact, the Church’s work of education “aims not only to ensure the maturity proper to the human person, but above all to ensure that the baptized, gradually initiated into the knowledge of the mystery of salvation, become ever more aware of the gift of faith” (The Identity of the Catholic School for a Culture of Dialogue, by the Vatican Congregation for Catholic Education, March 2022)
Happy Catholic Schools Week
We rejoice in the wonderful ministry of Catholic Education that we have in Holy Family School & Preschool. HFS is the single largest ministry of our parish – apart from weekly Masses. Thousands of children have benefited from time spent in our hallowed halls and classrooms learning about Christ, the Church, and the Communal world. I’m proud of the dedication and love of our administration and staff and the beautiful cooperative spirit with our parents and families.
Holy Family School has seen growth the last 3-years. We are actively restoring our 2 classrooms per grade level (which will take a few more years). We are shaping the leaders of the future through are participation in the Lighthouse Leadership-in-Me program based upon the Stephen Covey 7 Habits of Highly Effective People. Such leadership supports the mission of HFS where we “Help Form Saints” to Lead the Church and Community for Christ. Please pray for the continued success for our school. Indiana School Choice voucher program, which is among the most generous in the nation, places a Catholic education firmly within reach of everyone. 85% of Indiana households meet the financial qualification for financial support to open doors for more families to choose a faith-filled educational environment for their child(ren). Come and see.
+ Nothing Less than saints for the Holy Family of God. +
Holy Family, Premier School of Love, Pray for us.
~ Fr Jeremy M. Gries