The Mission of St. Joseph Catholic School – Fr. Adam Laski
February 4, 2024 – Father Adam Laski
THE MISSION OF ST. JOSEPH CATHOLIC SCHOOL
Catholic Schools Week is an opportunity for us to reflect on the question of what makes a Catholic school tick. The mission of our Catholic Schools is to pass on the Gospel of Jesus Christ and our Catholic faith. If we are not intentionally Catholic there is no reason for our Catholic school to exist.
When I walk into St. Joseph Catholic School, I am very happy for the opportunity to be in a strongly ecumenical environment (opening and welcoming to our brothers and sisters in Christ with whom we share our baptism and faith in Jesus). That being said, we must never be ashamed to proclaim what we believe to be the truth about Jesus Christ, that he founded a one, holy, Catholic, and apostolic church. When Jesus picked new leaders apart from the Jewish community, He taught them the sacraments, and a mission to “Go and preach the Gospel to all nations.”
This direction from Christ to preach the Gospel can be carried out in the context of a Catholic School in all subjects. Our Catholic faith can enliven all the other disciplines in the academic sphere: Mathematics, Physical Science, Physics, English Literature, Languages, and Music. These subjects all center their context and stage around serving the Gospel of Jesus Christ. St. Irenaeus of Lyon attested that “the glory of God is a man fully alive.” St. Irenaeus emphasizes the importance of religious education in schools, alongside family life and parish communities, to create fully alive human beings.
What are other ways that students in a Catholic school can be fully alive? Joy is the feeling of being on fire with the love of God, exuding confidence in His love, and laughing at the world and oneself. Having fun and laughing at what’s funny is one of the best things about being human. Our sense of humor sets us apart from all other creatures in the world. The best kind of friendships, disciples, and saints in the church are those that come in packs, pairs, or communities where individuals challenge each other to grow and help each other reach their goals along the path to holiness.
Our identity as a four-parish family, entrusted with the responsibility of running a school, goes beyond just keeping the lights on and the doors open. Our primary role is to offer children and their families an opportunity to know Jesus within the framework of the Catholic Church.
Happy Catholic Schools Week,
-Rev. Adam J Laski