Catholic Schools Week 2020
Jan. 26-Feb. 1, 2020
A Message from Archbishop Jackels
One of the mission priorities for the Archdiocese of Dubuque is to strengthen programs for on-going education in the Catholic Faith.
Of all Church ministries, teaching the Catholic Faith is the most important because we can’t love what we don’t know, and we can’t know unless someone teaches us.
Because all Church ministries are inspired by love of God, it can be said that all ministry rises or falls on the strength of our efforts to educate and form people in our Catholic Faith.
With regard to school-age children and youth, their parents are the first and best teachers of how to live as a follower of Jesus.
The Church can help parents fulfill their responsibility, say, through a parish RE program, youth ministry, or a Catholic school.
But even if a parish could afford the cost of running a Catholic school, and parents could afford the tuition, the best Catholic school can’t replace parents.
Our Catholic Faith needs to be witnessed to at home, or else a RE program, youth ministry, or Catholic school can’t fulfill their mission.
All of us, whether we have school-age children or not, should be concerned that our parishes are doing all that we can – in RE programs, youth ministry, and Catholic school – to help parents raise their children as followers of Jesus.
Why? Because children and youth are the future leaders, and if we contribute to making them better people, they will in turn make the world a better place.
God reward all who are partners to continue the mission of Jesus in the ministries of the Church, especially by strengthening programs for on-going education in the Catholic Faith!
Michael O. Jackels
Archbishop of Dubuque
Message from the Superintendent
The Catholic schools in the Archdiocese of Dubuque join schools across the nation in celebrating National Catholic Schools Week. There are 49 Catholic schools in the Archdiocese of Dubuque, serving about 11,000 students from early childhood through 12th grade. Our Catholic schools have the privilege and great responsibility of providing over 10 million cumulative hours of embedded Catholic teaching, faith-filled environment, and direct instruction in the Catholic faith to these students each year.
Our Catholic schools share in the evangelizing mission of our Church by bringing the gospel to students and families on a daily basis. As partners with parents, our Catholic schools offer daily religious instruction and modeling of the faith, rigorous academic studies, and a distinct focus on the whole child. Our students and staff provide countless hours of service to their local church and communities. In a world filled with challenges and mixed messages, our schools provide the counter-cultural teaching of Jesus Christ as the center of everything we do all day long.
We are blessed to have so many strong and vibrant Catholic schools. In our Catholic schools, students receive the best of tradition and innovation. The elements of Message, Community, Worship, and Service set our Catholic schools apart from other educational options. These elements are why families make sacrifices to provide their children with a Catholic education. Thank you for investing in Catholic education through your generous support, participation, and prayers. Please take time to visit one of our Catholic schools and share the good news of Catholic education.
Kimberly A. Hermsen
Superintendent of Schools
