Catholic schools are called to evangelize

Students lead the procession at the Treasure Valley All Schools Mass at St. Mark's Church in Boise. (ICR photo/(ICR photo/Vero Gutiérrez)

By Emily Woodham

Staff Writer

Across Idaho, more than 4,000 students in 16 Catholic schools celebrated Catholic Schools Week, from Jan. 25 to Jan. 31. Catholic Schools Week is promoted by the National Catholic Educational Association and has been celebrated nationally since 1974. The week is meant to highlight the importance of Catholic education in the life of the Church.

“I want to give thanks during this Catholic Schools Week to all of our educators, administrators and families who understand that Catholic schools are not called to be a mirror of culture, but to evangelize in what they’re doing,” said Bishop Peter Christensen during his homily at the All Schools Mass in Boise on Jan. 28. “Catholic schools vangelize in teaching and presenting the fullness of the faith in clarity and charity. As a result, we’ll be helping the world around us to be set free.”

Bishop Peter is with Caleb Welp, a third grade student at St. Mark’s School. (ICR photo/Vero Gutiérrez)

More than 1,700 students, faculty and staff attended the Diocese of Boise Treasure Valley All Schools Mass at St. Mark’s Church in Boise on Jan. 28, the Feast of St. Thomas Aquinas, one of the patron saints of Catholic education. Bishop Kelly High School, St. Mark’s, St. Joseph’s, St. Mary’s, Sacred Heart Schools in Boise, St. Ignatius School in Meridian, and St. Paul’s School in Nampa attended or had representatives at the Mass.

“Our world needs the wisdom Christ offers,” Bishop Peter said at the Mass. “We take that gift, in our schooling, in our faith and in our families, and take it to our heart, and live that as Jesus asked.”

The Gospel reading was from Luke 2:41-52, when Mary and Joseph lost Jesus and found him in the Temple.

“Jesus, at the young age of 12, teaches us what we must do for wisdom and where to go” Bishop Peter explained. “Go to your Heavenly Father, you will learn truth for your lives and that which is most important within your life.

“My brothers and sisters, wisdom comes from God and spending time with God in our own private prayer, communal prayer, in being obedient to his commandments, and living as he desires us to live. Seeking God’s presence in our life is where it all begins.”

Young students pray during the All Schools Mass. (ICR photo/Vero Gutiérrez)

We are blessed, he continued, because “Jesus never tires of giving himself from birth to death. He gives himself today in the Eucharist. He gives himself in the power of his Holy Spirit. All truth, all goodness, all love, all wisdom come through Jesus.”

Father Germán Osorio, rector of the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist and of St. Joseph’s School in Boise, and Father Vitalis Onyeama, SMMM, pastor at Holy Apostles and St. Ignatius School in Meridian, concelebrated the Mass. Deacon Don Blythe and Deacon Peter Lauder, both at St. Mark’s, assisted.

A young student from St. Joseph’s School in Boise receives communion from Father Vitalis Onyeama, SMMM, pastor at Holy Apostles Parish and St. Ignatius School in Meridian. (ICR photo/Vero Gutiérrez)

At the end of the Mass, Bishop Peter thanked Tammy Emerich, superintendent of Catholic schools, and Christina Linder, assistant superintendent, for their work and dedication. The bishop asked all principals, administrators and teachers to stand for a special prayer and blessing.

Catholic schools throughout the diocese celebrated each day of the week with daily themes and activities that highlighted vocations, the saints, parish life and community life.