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From the Pastor's Desk: Jan. 30, 2022
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The opening verse in today’s Gospel should sound very familiar. Jesus once again reminds us about the significance of His message: "Today this Scripture passage is fulfilled in your hearing." This scripture passage introduces Jesus’ public ministry in the Gospel of Luke. In our response to what is revealed to us through the Word, we are challenged to put the Word into practice so that the good works may abound in us. In a sense, we are asking God to make us good students at Jesus' school of love so as to learn the best way to grow in charity.
In the context of teaching and learning from the Chief Educator, we join thousands of Catholic Schools across the nation as we celebrate National Catholic Schools Week, January 30th - February 5th, 2022. The theme this year is “Faith, Excellence and Service.” We celebrate Catholic Schools Week to continue building community awareness and involvement in Catholic Education. In a time when people are looking for value in every purchase or decision, it’s reassuring to know that the values are not added in a Catholic school; rather, they are embedded in its very foundation. The mission and intent of Catholic schools is to provide a Catholic education within an academically rich environment.
This special week offers us a great opportunity to thank those whose generosity makes Catholic Education possible. For us at St. Luke Parish, we are proud and extremely blessed that we can educate, form and influence children in the values of the Catholic Faith from 6 weeks old to 8th grade through the mission of St. Luke Child Care Center and Annunciation Catholic School. With most profound gratitude, I want to offer words of appreciation to Mrs. Amy Roberts – the Director of the Child Care Center, and Mr. Steve Eiswert- the Principal of ACS, for their exemplary leadership, dedication and support of Catholic Education especially during these challenging COVID-19 affected times.
My words of gratitude go to teachers for their love, passion, and example in which they inspire and educate students, as well as the support staff of the schools who often, unnoticed, make the mission and success of Catholic Education possible. I want to thank students for taking part in responding to the challenge of making our schools a true community of “Faith, Excellence and Service”. Thank you to the parents for choosing to educate your children in the values of the Gospel rooted in the mission of the Catholic Church. I also recognize the many challenges you experience and the many sacrifices you offer so your children can advance and benefit in their future. Please know how grateful I am for your decision and that parishioners of St. Luke Parish offer their sacrifices and commitment to the continual success of Catholic Education and the success of St. Luke Child Care Center and Annunciation Catholic School.
So today we are reminded about the significance of education and teaching others the ways of the Lord and to fulfill His will for us. It is not easy to do God’s will. It wasn’t easy for the Prophet Jeremiah and wasn’t easy for Jesus Himself. And yet it is the Lord who empowers us and gives us strength to bring His message, to teach His ways, and to love with His generosity.
“Kindness is one of the utterly beautiful expressions of our humanity. Everyday kindness, random acts of kindness and heroic moments of kindness banish fear, soothe pain, revive hope and restore our faith in humanity” (Matthew Kelly, Life is Messy”, p. 72).
I wish you all a blessed and love-filled week.
With prayers, Fr. Andy
