My dear brothers
and sisters in Christ:
We hope that you are enjoying the special coverage of our Catholic schools in this month’s Catholic Courier. This week, Catholic schools throughout the Roman Catholic Diocese of Rochester are celebrating Catholic Schools Week. The week is filled with events in which teachers, parents, staff and especially our students express their pride in being part of a school system that continues to successfully combine faith, values and academic excellence. The Masses celebrated with our students during this week are the heart and center of all the observances.
It also is still another opportunity to express our gratitude to all those who help make our schools such special places, especially our wonderful and dedicated administrators, teachers and staff. To the parents and guardians who make countless sacrifices to give their children the gift of a Catholic education, we once again extend our heartfelt appreciation. You have made a sound investment in their future that will serve these young people throughout their lifetime.
If experience has taught us anything about Catholic schools over all these years, it is that their foundation in the faith and reputation for academic excellence are evident. One only has to look at our communities, businesses, and institutions throughout the diocese to see that Catholic-school graduates have served in leadership positions in the church, government, education, law, medicine, the arts and other professions. Our Catholic-school students not only benefit from excellent academics that will lead to fulfilling vocations and careers, but they also gain the spiritual and moral guidance necessary to be successful in life and the strength to follow the call of Jesus: “Come, follow me.” Please God, their voices will be heard in the New Evangelization, proclaiming Jesus as the Way, the Truth, and the Life!
If your children are not already enrolled in a Catholic school, please consider giving them the gift of a Catholic-school education. You can find a listing of our schools at www.dorschools.org. May God continue to bless you and your families.
Invoking the intercession of our patron, St. John Fisher, who sacrificed his life to teach the Truth, we remain,
Sincerely yours in Christ,
The Most Reverend Salvatore R. Matano
Bishop of Rochester
Dr. Anthony S. Cook III
Superintendent of Catholic Schools
