Catholic schools are filled with good news. The United States Congress has recently told the Catholic schools “Thank You” because Catholic schools help our country in many important ways. Several million young people attend Catholic colleges, universities, seminaries, high schools, and elementary schools. Your parents want Catholic education for you so that you can grow up to be good people who serve one another and work for peace and justice.

Waking Up to the Good News of Catholic Education

What are some of the best ways to celebrate this year’s theme for Catholic Schools Week—Catholic Schools: The Good News in Education? There is no short answer because there are many appropriate ways to celebrate the Good News in Catholic Schools. The first and most appropriate response is to appreciate and believe the Good News. This theme is like an alarm clock. When it goes off, it says to the world, “Here is the good news in Catholic Schools. Wake up and believe it. That sounds simple. But people do not always respond to an alarm clock when it goes off with a burst of energy. They might be half-awake and half-asleep. They might want to snooze for just another 15 minutes. Do you enthusiastically burst out of bed when the alarm clock goes off?

Imagine you are a world-famous clock maker. You not only make clocks of outstanding precision but you are also a collector of famous and valuable clocks. Your skills are recognized throughout the world, mainly because you have made clocks that are famous landmarks in many countries throughout the world.

Now imagine that you have just been invited to build a Catholic Schools Week clock by the faculty at your school. The clock will be dedicated at your school on January 28, the first day of Catholic Schools Week. The clock will be located in the main entrance hallway at your school. The purpose of the clock is to remind teachers, parents, students, and all visitors about the good news of Catholic schools.

The good news about Catholic schools is that they help us:
• Get excited and eager to learn
• Grow academically and morally
• Appreciate that our teachers are eager to help us succeed
• Cooperate with our parents and teachers
• Stand up for what is right
• Respect life
• Work for peace and justice
• Reach out to those in need
• Learn how to forgive and ask for forgiveness
• Grow in faith, hope, and love
• Strengthen our relationship with God through prayer
• Share good news with family ,one another, and other friends