Brian Poeschl
Catholic Schools Week
“Dividends for Life”
2010 – Opening Mass
Good Morning. My name is Brian. I am a 5th grader at Saint John School. I have been going to Saint John’s since Kindergarten. I was asked to think and write about how the theme of this year’s Catholic School’s Week, “Dividends for Life” applies to me.
I have a friend who joined our class this year. He told me how different the kids at Saint John’s are, and how he is happy here. It made me wonder about hoe we might be different. At Saint John’s we are challenged not only with our school work, but we are challenged to be Jesus to others everyday. We are expected to be respectful and to use the Ten Commandments to guide how we act. I am not saying we are perfect, we don’t always get it right.
When I met my parent’s friend a few years ago, he tome my parents, “I bet he goes to Catholic school.” I wondered what he meant back then. When I was thinking about what to Say today, it reminded me of that day and about how my friend said it was different at Saint John’s.
I think that what I have been taught everyday since Kindergarten has become a part of me and how I deal with other people. If it no something that you can see or touch, it is not something that you can buy in a store, but it is always, there, and it is very valuable. I think this is what “Dividends for life” means.
Thank you for letting me share this with you today.
Bridgid Selfors
Catholic Schools Week
“Dividends for Life”
2010 – Opening Mass
Good morning! My name is Bridgid Selfors. I am in 5th grade at Saint John School. Today, we open Catholic Schools Week.
Catholic Schools Week is an annual national celebration of the important role that Catholic elementary and secondary schools across the country play in providing an education that emphasizes not only academics, but also spiritual, moral, and social values.
This year's theme is "Dividends for Life," reflecting the long lasting benefits of a Catholic school education.
According to Karen Ristau, NCEA president, “Catholic schools provide good things for students and families–high expectations and daily experience of faith. In these challenging times, the theme also reminds parents that the dividends of a Catholic school education–students prepared in faith, knowledge, morals and discipline–last a lifetime. There is no better way to invest in a child’s future–or the future of our world.”
Catholic schools reflect the teaching ministry of the Church and ultimately that of Jesus Christ. As Pope John Paul II said: ‘The Catholic school...has contributed immensely to the spreading of God's word and has enabled the faithful 'to relate human affairs and activities with religious values in a single living synthesis.' In the community formed by the Catholic school, the power of the Gospel has been brought to bear on thought patterns, standards of judgment and the norms of behavior.
There are more than 7,000 Catholic schools in the United States today. The benefits of Catholic schools are undeniable:
•Students in Catholic schools consistently display higher test scores than their public school counterparts, despite coming from equally disadvantaged backgrounds.
•Catholic schools have lower dropout rates than both public and other private schools.
•Studies report that Catholic school students performed better than other students in the capacity for civic engagement, political knowledge, and political tolerance.
During this week, please keep in your prayers and intentions our school along with the students, families, administration, teachers and staff.
Thank you!
The following students participated:
Readers - Anna Gaboury - Grade 3, Olin Fredericks - Grade 3, Shannon Braumann - Grade 3 and Jadyn Prinz - Grade 2
Altar Servers - Luke Schoonmaker - Grade 5, Matthew Finnegan - Alum, McNeill Finnegan - Alum and Peter Finnegan - Grade 8
Gift Bearers - Fiona Fredericks - Grade 1, Catie Poeschl - Grade 1, Adam Carool - Grade 1, Margaux Selfors - PreK-4, Conor Selfors - Grade 1, Olivia Brescio - Grade 2 and Mia Lawrence - Grade 2