Dear Friends,

This time of year there seems to be so many things happening at the same time. Last week we had a national holiday honoring Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. We also remembered the Roe v Wade decision and prayed for a greater reverence for life. It was also the hundredth anniversary of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity. This week begins a celebration of Catholic Schools.
Even though Christian Unity week has concluded I wanted to offer some thoughts based on guidelines offered by the Pontifical Council on Christian Unity in the Vatican. One hundred years ago, Father Paul Wattson, an Episcopal priest and co-founder of the Society of the Atonement at Graymoor (Garrison, N.Y.), introduced a Prayer Octave for Christian Unity that was first celebrated from the 18th to the 25th of January 1908. Each year a theme is chosen.
The biblical text for this centennial Week of Prayer for Christian Unity was taken from 1 Thessalonians. The text “Pray without ceasing” (1 Thess 5: 17) stresses the essential role of prayer within the life of the Christian community as its members grow in their relationship to Christ and to one another.
Christian unity looks different to each person. Some pray that all denominational barriers be eliminated and that there would be one Christian Church. Others pray that we might find unity even in our diversity and present a united Christianity to the world. Still others pray that Christians, united invisibly with Christ would find unity in their common action in the world.
I have found that Christian unity usually is difficult at the doctrinal level because so much would have to be compromised. Instead, unity often is possible at the personal level when we are working to overcome injustice or reaching out in charity to the needs of the poor. In those areas we can be one.
While at first blush it would seem that prayer for Christian Unity and Catholic Schools Week have nothing in common. But I see a common purpose. Catholic schools educate the entire person. We accept Catholics who desire to understand their faith and hand it on to others. We also welcome Christians of other denominations and those who aren’t Christian as long as they are open to learning what Catholicism teaches and believes.
Catholic schools fulfill their mission in the world when they proclaim Christ. They are most successful when they provide a strong academic curriculum within a Christian environment. But what is a Christian environment?
Christ called His followers to love others, even enemies. He called us to forgive one another without counting the cost. He told us to use our gifts and talents to build up the Kingdom of God. I believe that Catholic schools hold this as their primary mission. I can say with confidence that Holy Redeemer Catholic School fulfills the mission of Christ faithfully.
Our parish school is a true gift to our parish. If you have children that will be starting school soon or are currently enrolled in another school, consider sending them to Holy Redeemer. I know that you will be glad that you did. Our parish school offers a small school environment with personal attention that is safe and loving.
Those of us who do not have children or who were educated in an earlier time in Catholic schools know that Catholic education was always go now and pay later. We received a quality education, mostly by nuns, brothers, and priests who were paid little, but gave of their lives for others. Now it is our turn to pay them back. Support our parish school financially. Support our festival and the school fundraisers. Most importantly continue supporting our parish. Parish support is necessary to keep the cost of tuition manageable.
Christ wants us to spread the Good News. When we work together with other Christians and educate our young we are fulfilling the mission of Jesus Christ.

Peace,
Fr. Chris

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