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Happy Catholic Schools Week from Superintendent Deegan!
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February 3, 2021February 3, 2021
Feast of St. Blaise
The Year of St. Joseph
Dear Catholic School Communities,
Happy Catholic Schools Week!
While I trust you are enjoying the family time these “traditional” snow days have created, I know they have impacted the numerous special Catholic Schools Week celebrations poised to take place. However, I am confident that the inclement weather could never dampen the spirit of this special week.
This week, our nation celebrates the gift of Catholic education. Even in these unusual times, there is so much to celebrate. Like our churches, our schools are not defined by the brick and mortar structures but by the people within them. The communities of educators, students, and families sacrifice each day to bring our mission to fruition. I do not boast when I proclaim our treasured teachers and devoted principals are the most dedicated, diligent, and gifted in the United States who address the students’ needs on an individual spiritual, intellectual, and social-emotional level. They teach each child—the whole child—and deliver academic results envied by secular school systems nationwide.
The theme for Catholic Schools Week, “Faith. Excellence. Service.” perfectly captures how we faced the global COVID-19 pandemic - as an extended community and family. As sisters and brothers in Jesus Christ, we know that fear cannot exist where there is faith. While none of us knew what to expect, we faced the unknown by creating plans for our faith-based communities’ continuity of education, continuing the essential celebrations of Lent, Easter, and Mary’s crowning among the crucial math lessons. Our faith is woven into and expressed in all we do.
As we prepared for last September’s reopening of our school buildings, we knew that our students must receive the same excellent education whether they were learning in-person or remotely. Our teachers and principals prepared themselves for synchronous learning with in-depth professional development while those behind the scenes procured the necessary technology through the generosity of our selfless benefactors.
Even now, as many Catholic school families face financial challenges, students continue their service projects, providing to those in their greater communities. Time and time again, our students answer the call to provide for others. These selfless acts reinforce the message that we are part of something greater than ourselves—helping our neighbors and friends through some of the darkest days.
Beginning next week, you have another opportunity to honor Catholic education as we open enrollment for the 2021-2022 school year. There is no better way to show your commitment to our great mission than enrolling your child for next fall. I am confident that you consistently see the results of your teachers’ and principals’ hard work and that of your child, demonstrating beyond a shadow of a doubt that your Catholic school is the best, safest place for your child to pray, learn and grow.
In the coming days, you will receive information about how to reserve your child’s place so they may continue to receive the uniquely exceptional education found only in our great Catholic schools. Details about applying for financial assistance will also be provided. Of course, you can always visit catholicschoolsny.org 24 hours a day to learn about all these things and more.
Thank you for your continued partnership in making Catholic education something worth celebrating!
Sincerely,
Mr Michael J. Deegan
Superintendent of Schools
Archdiocese of New York
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