The theme for Catholic Education Week this year echoes the theme of the Universal Church as we celebrate the Jubilee Year as "Pilgrims of Hope." Pope Francis encourages us to "fan the flame of hope that has been given to us." (Letter on the Jubilee of Hope, February 2022) proclaiming the joy of being people who walk in friendship with Jesus and who find hope in His death and resurrection.
Catholic Education is a source of hope for staff, students and families who go to our Catholic Schools.
Our educators serve as anchors for the proclamation of the Gospel, with Jesus who serves as the Master Teacher in the classroom each day. Our students are examples of hope alive, bringing creativity, energy and wisdom into their learning. Families echo this hope as first teachers of the faith, making connections between academics and Catholic virtue that help nurture saints for the Church of today and tomorrow.
We need young saints who will bring us the hope of the Good News. In this special year, Pope Francis will canonize the first millennial saint for our Church, Blessed Carlo Acutis, as inspiration for all young people on the journey towards holiness! Blessed Carlo was born in 1991, and lived a life that feels very similar to the youth of our Church today. He wore running shoes, loved video games, and soccer, and stood up for other children who were bullied at school. Carlo was an ordinary young man who was called to use his gifis and talents for extraordinary purposes, bringing Eucharistic miracles alive through his love of technology and website coding. You can still visit Carlo's website today! Collaboration between our Parishes, Catholic Schools and families, works to illuminate the action of the Holy Spirit within the lives of the young people of our Church, called to holiness, just like Carlo Acutis. In this celebration of Catholic Education Week, we pray intently for the young people of our Church, and the many ways that they contribute to the building of the Kingdom through their apostolic vision.
My profound gratitude to all who support our young saints-in-the-making: the priests of our diocese, pastoral leaders, chaplaincy leaders, trustees, administrators, educators, support staff, parents and guardians! Thank you for caring for the fertile soil of young hearts and minds as they mature in their understanding of Christian hope and discipleship.
I wish all of you a blessed celebration of Catholic Education Week in this Jubilee Year! May our celebration be marked by great thanksgiving for our Catholic Schools and all who walk with us as "pilgrims of hope!"
(Most Rev.) Douglas Crosby, OMI
Bishop of Hamilton
Original letter from Bishop Crosby