Dear Friends,
It feels funny this year not to be directly involved with the education of high school students after 20 years of formal work in Catholic education. For those of you who may be unaware, this past June after accepting my current assignment as pastor at St. Joseph Church in Somers Point, NJ, I am no longer part of Sacred Heart High School (Vineland)—having spent 14 wonderful years there. I had also happily served 6 years at St. Joseph High School (Hammonton).
I never really related to too many people the story of how I wound up working in Catholic education. Each year the Priest Personnel Office for the Diocese of Camden would send us a form to fill out. One of the questions on the form (at the time) asked if we, as priests, would be interested in the Catholic education apostolate. So I checked the box indicating yes. A few weeks later Bishop James T. McHugh who was then Bishop of Camden called me into his office. I remember the conversation like it was yesterday: “So I see you are interested in Catholic education. I want to assign you to high school work. But first I want you to commit to 10 years in this apostolate. I don’t want to make it a life sentence for any of my priests. But I do want you to give me 10 years. Will you do that?” I agreed to what the bishop asked of me. Twenty years later, having been through two subsequent bishops (Bishops DiMarzio and Galante), I am no longer directly involved in high school work. I, however, have a flourishing elementary school of over 500 students just across the street from my rectory and I try to teach the 8th grade students there each month!
Why I write this letter is to remind all those I have ever taught in any capacity whatsoever what the true mission of Catholic education is. I have certainly been overjoyed when I see that my former students are successful in their careers, when they were accepted into some of the best colleges, universities and schools throughout the country and when they have done various works in the community to make me proud. However, what brings me the most indescribable satisfaction is when I see my former students fully living out the teachings of the Catholic faith. Even if you were one of my students of another faith background, I am as proud as a parent when you—all of you—strive to guide your lives by the teachings of Jesus Christ.
Hanging on the wall of my first high school assignment (at St. Joseph's) was this sign:
Let it be known to all who enter here that Jesus Christ is the reason for this school, the unseen but ever-present teacher in all its classes, the model of its faculty, and the inspiration for its staff and students.
Each day during my years in Catholic high school education, when I entered the school building, prayed before the Blessed Sacrament in the chapel, offered holy Mass in that same chapel or the nearby church, I thought of and tried to embody the words of this sign.
I know deep down in my heart that any of the accomplishments that the world and society may deem “successful” really mean absolutely nothing, if Jesus Christ is not part of our lives and our actions. The prestigious jobs, the advanced degrees, wealth, fame, fortune, etc. etc. are so temporary and passing. Any situation can change in an instant by death or tragedy. However, Jesus Christ, His words and His teachings are forever.
This simple but challenging principle—trying to live as Jesus taught—has guided and motivated me my entire life. I realize, like you probably do, that we all struggle and even occasionally fail in our attempt to fully live out the Gospel. Yet, I have never lost sight of the tremendous love, mercy, and forgiveness that Jesus offers to each of us as sinners.
Hopefully, even if you never paid attention to a word that I said in the classroom or a homily that I uttered from the pulpit you will listen to this:
If you don’t have Jesus Christ with you as part of your lives, part of your families and part of your everyday actions, you are missing out on the true meaning of what life is all about.
This is what your Catholic education, if properly taught and heeded, intended to instill in you.
Don’t forget that we are also called to give what we have received. Jesus instructed His disciples the following regarding their faith: “Without cost you have received; without cost you are to give.” (Mt. 10: 8) Give your time, talent or treasure, back to your school, back to your church, back to your community and society. Give the faith--faith in Jesus--to your family. Don’t ever be so self-absorbed that you only care for yourself and your own needs.
And remember this please: if there is anything within my power that I can do spiritually for you as a priest, I remain here for you. I, first and foremost, think of myself as your priest no matter what other position I held. While I may have sometimes fallen short of expectations, I, nevertheless, tried dilligently to be a faithful servant of the Lord Jesus as His priest.
You are remembered in my prayers and as I approach the altar for Mass each day. Please don’t forget to pray for me once in a while. I need and depend upon your prayers to sustain me.
In Jesus,
Fr. Ed
