Dear Parishioners of Mary Immaculate and Saint Rose,
Each year we observe Catholic Schools Week. Most of the time we have an open house at the school, students doing the ministries at Mass, parties, theme days, and closing with the famous Sock Hop. As everything this year is much different and although we still had activities this week, they were much simpler than in years past.
What we still have is our Catholic school, and as with anything that is always there for us, we often take it for granted. Our school is certainly a blessing for our students and their families, but I think we often fail to realize what blessing it is for our whole parish. Because of Mary Immaculate School, we have so much activity and life that centers around our parish. Families that send their children to our school have become active in our parish. Some who started as non-Catholics have joined our Church. The blessing to our children is huge. They are taught religion every day. They pray often during the day, attend Mass and other liturgies, they learn about the lives of the saints, the meaning of the sacraments, the history of the Catholic Church, and so much more.
When people move to Kirksville, they are often surprised that there is no tuition for our parishioners who attend Mary Immaculate School. We ask them to be involved in the parish and try to tithe to the Church. Bishop McAuliffe started this model for Catholic schools in our diocese many years ago. I believe this is the reason why we still have a Catholic school at Mary Immaculate today. All of us as a parish work together to provide a Catholic school for the children of our parish.
I am so impressed with the dedication of the teachers in our school. Especially during this time of covid, they have given so much to uphold the standard of education in our school. They are vigilant in providing a safe atmosphere so we have been able to continue in-person learning, which seems to be so crucial for our children. They have risen to the occasion over and over again in spite of great difficulty. That have created a warm, friendly, prayerful environment in our school.
Children in our school attend a weekly Mass on Thursday. I am always inspired by the answers that they give on those days. Our school forms not only their minds but their spirits as well.
It takes a great sacrifice on the part of the parish to support a school; it always has. Who can put a price on the faith of our children? Who can see all the benefits of our school to our parish? I firmly believe that our school is worth every penny that we spend. Providing a Catholic education for our children is investing in the life of Mary Immaculate Church.
As we conclude Catholic Schools Week, we pray for God’s continued blessing on our wonderful Mary Immaculate School! May it be a beacon of light, faith, and hope to our parish and community for generations to come.
Thank you to all of you who make our school possible.