What makes a Catholic school different?
Catholic schools educate the whole child. They address not only the intellectual, physical and psychological capacities of a child but also the moral and religious dimensions.
Catholic education is centered on the person of Jesus Christ who provides the most comprehensive example of the realization of full human potential.
A Catholic school is more than religion classes that teach about our Faith. It must be a vibrant Faith community where Catholic Christianity is both witnessed and experienced. It must be a place where intellectual growth is harmonized with spiritual, religious, emotional and social growth. Its distinctiveness must not rest solely on its religious education program.
Academic excellence is essential, but it is not enough to produce graduates well prepared in the arts and sciences. Catholic schools must produce graduates whose love for wisdom and truth lead to a worldview infused with Gospel values and Catholic tradition.
I am amazed and humbled by the sacrifices parents make to provide a Catholic education for their children. They recognize what makes a Catholic school different.
And I salute the administrators, teachers and staffs of our Catholic schools whose commitment to academic excellence and the Faith are what continue to make our Catholic schools different.
Bishop Kevin Joseph Farrell was appointed Seventh Bishop of Dallas on March 6, 2007 by Pope Benedict XVI. 
Thank you Bishop Farrell for your words of support. My husband and I sacrifice in order to send our children to St. Patrick and Bishop Lynch Catholic schools. We feel the education and the beautiful Christian communities are helping to prepare our children to face the challenges ahead.
Thank you Bishop Farrell for testifying to the best we have to offer our children, the learning of the Catholic faith while studying all necessary academic subjects.
I am a product of twelve years of Catholic schooling in the city of Dallas. I am also the mother of three children who all attended Catholic schools around the country. My last is now a senior at St. Thomas High School in Houston.
Of course there are financial sacrifices, but they do not begin to outweigh the tangible and intangible rewards of living and growing daily in a Catholic school environment. My five sisters and I shall always be grateful to our parents who believed so strongly in Catholic education, that they suffered many hardships in order to send all six daughters through 12 years each of this much sought after education. Thanks to all the nuns, lay teachers, and priests and brothers who staffed our schools and taught us so much, not only in our curriculum but through their example.
I wrote a letter long ago to my former seventh grade nun at St. Monica's, Sr. Carmencita. I just had to thank her. She wrote back, in penmanship still legible and beautiful after so many years of practice. I will always remember her, as well as all of those who had such impact on my life.
The prayers we learned and said each time we began and ended the day as well as in between; the constant reminders of Christ and His Mother in hanging pictures and crucifixes throughout our schools; the Rosary beads hanging from the waists of our nuns, clanking as they hurriedly walked down the halls; the silence in the halls and in the classrooms while teachers were teaching; the demand for excellence in our school work; JMJ at the top of each written paper; First Friday confessions,Mass and Benediction; even being scolded for looking at Beatle magazines instead of getting to morning Mass; these are just some of the beautiful memories I have.
I would not trade my education for anything. I treasure the gift given me by the devoted parents I had and the nuns and priests who demonstrated their love of Jesus Christ and His Mother through their sacrifices. I thank you all and keep you in my prayers.