When I was young and would whine about having to attend Mass or help around the house, my dad would often tell me that “Doing God’s will is simple, not easy.” That phrase comes to mind as we observe Catholic Schools Week (Jan. 26-Feb. 1) and celebrate our Hawaii Catholic Schools. Our schools have a long and rich history of academic achievement. Equally impressive is the spiritual development and moral growth of their thousands of graduates. The two basic goals of our schools, for more than 170 years, have been academic excellence and Christian formation for our students.
It is that simple, but it has never been easy.
It is not easy for parents to sacrifice so that they can send their child to a Catholic school. It is not easy for our teachers to work with today’s students for less pay than they could receive in a public school setting. It is not easy for our administrators to be educational and spiritual leaders. It is not easy for our students to live up to the higher expectations we place upon them. Although the concept is simple, achieving our schools’ two main goals of quality academics and Christian formation has never been easy.
As with anything done to build the Kingdom of God, it is not only “not easy” for our schools to achieve their mission, it is impossible without God’s grace. Our young people must be touched by God to have the courage and wisdom to be truly successful as future leaders in our church and communities. The pastors, parents, teachers, administrators, students, parishioners and benefactors affiliated with our schools must be enlightened by the Holy Spirit to be willing to do what is difficult because it is God’s will.
Because God is with us, we will continue to provide quality academics and Christian formation for our students — because it is God’s will for our children. It’s that simple … but not easy.
Rockers is the superintendent of Hawaii Catholic Schools.
