Bishop Kevin Farrell

The Chief Shepherd of the Catholic Diocese of Dallas

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When everybody helps, everybody wins

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Thanks to the sacrifices of numerous parents and the generous support of Catholics and the community at large the number of children receiving a Catholic education in our diocesan elementary and high schools is 15,115, exceeding last year’s enrollment by about 60.

Many of our schools in economically deprived areas, where tuition is a major factor, have shown an increase. This is due both to the commitment of the parents and the tuition assistance made possible by the support of the community. [Read more…]

Some back-to-school thoughts

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As our children and young people head back to school and to college I want to wish them well and encourage them in their educational endeavors. They need only to read the daily newspaper or watch a television newscast to realize how fortunate they are to live in a country where there are so many educational opportunities.

Whether a first-grader or a freshman, what they learn in the classroom must stand on the foundation of what they have learned at home. As the Fathers of the Second Vatican Council taught: “the task of imparting education belongs primarily to the family, but it requires the help of society as a whole.“

Parental responsibility is particularly important in forming and nurturing faith in their children. It is in the Christian family where children are “taught to know and worship God and to love their neighbor” in accordance with the grace received at Baptism (GE ¶3).

So as our children trudge off to school or take off for college they carry with them the indelible imprint of their family or origin. Indeed it will shape them for the rest of their lives.

I ask God’s blessing on all of our Catholic students and upon their parents for their loving care.

The great value of a Catholic education

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Yesterday I visited Bishop Dunne High School. It is one of the great success stories of our diocese, thanks to the joint efforts of faculty, students, parents and the Catholic community.

Once again I was reminded of the great value of a Catholic education. It is so much more than secular education with religion classes added on. It is education rooted in the Gospel of Jesus Christ designed to enable students to reach the fullness of their potential as individuals created in God’s image.

The goal of Catholic education is to inculcate in students a Christian vision of what the human person is called to be and what the world is destined to become. It brings to fruition seeds of faith planted by parents.

Catholic education does not come without sacrifices. I am astounded at the sacrifices many families make in order to send their children to a Catholic school. Every effort is made to make a Catholic education accessible. Most schools have financial assistance available and no family should rule out sending their child to a Catholic school without inquiring abut financial aid. Parents recognize that the costs of a Catholic education are not only an investment in the future of their child, but also in the future of our society.

I have great admiration for the lay and religious men and women who have created and maintain our Catholic school system and for the parents who make the often difficult choices to send their children to Catholic schools.

The Catholic Foundation’s Annual Award Banquet

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The Catholic Foundation’s Annual Award Banquet happens to fall during Catholic Schools Week this year and it is appropriate that the foundation will honor a Catholic educator on the occasion. Jesuit Father Philip Postell has served as president of Jesuit College Preparatory School since 1992. He will be the 28th recipient of the Catholic Foundation Award. The award not only recognizes Father Postell for his outstanding work and commitment to Catholic education, but also honors the institution he heads. Graduates of Jesuit College Prep are among those leaders who have shaped the Dallas’ Catholic community.

Recognizing and honoring Catholic leaders is one work of the Catholic Foundation, but it is only a small portion of their contribution to the Church of Dallas. The Foundation’s primary function is to furnish a vehicle for those who wish to provide funds for the needs of the diocese and its many agencies. Through investments it enhances the power of charitable resources. From thesw investments it is able to provide grants in excess of five-million dollars a year to various Catholic entities.

From its modest beginnings in 1965 the Catholic Foundation has become a powerhouse for the Church. I commend the Catholic Foundation for its important contributions to our diocese and for honoring the outstanding leaders of our Catholic community.