Dr. Llewellyn Young, Superintendent of Hawaii Catholic Schools, in his office at St. Stephen Diocesan Center(Photo courtesy of the Hawaii Catholic Schools office)
To the faculty, staff and students of Hawaii Catholic Schools
Welcome back to school!
I pray this message finds you all in good health and high spirits as we prepare to embark on another exciting academic year for Catholic schools in Hawaii. After a well-deserved summer break and, on behalf of His Excellency, Bishop Larry Silva, we are thrilled to welcome all our returning faculty, staff and students, and wish to extend a warm greeting of aloha to our new students and their families who are joining our Catholic schools’ ohana for the first time.
As we open our doors once again, we want to express our heartfelt appreciation for your unwavering support, especially during the challenging times we faced over the past few years. The resilience and determination demonstrated by our students, parents and staff have been truly remarkable, and together, we have overcome obstacles and emerged stronger than ever.
In the recent past, when people asked me what makes Catholic schools so special, I used to start by explaining how Catholic schools educate the whole child. I explained how we look at the spiritual, emotional, social, physical, as well as academic aspects of student development. I spoke about our mission of evangelization and how we try to allow students to build a closer relationship with Jesus and be good stewards of the Gospel. All these things remain true, but today, when I am asked about what makes Catholic schools so special, I start by simply stating that “We bring sanity back into an insane world.” We try earnestly to provide a stable environment with strong Christian morals, values and principles where students can grow to be people of good character, honesty and integrity.
This academic year promises to be filled with new opportunities, enriching experiences, and a commitment to excellence. Our dedicated teams of educators and staff members have been diligently preparing to provide you with the best possible learning environment, where creativity, critical thinking, love, and compassion are nurtured.
In our Hawaii Catholic Schools, we believe that each student is unique, with their own talents and potential waiting to be unlocked and shared with the world. Our goal is to create a supportive and inclusive atmosphere where every individual can thrive academically, spiritually, emotionally, physically and socially. We encourage everyone to actively participate in school activities, clubs, sports and events, as these provide the chance to build friendships, develop skills, and foster a true sense of belonging.
Health and safety continue to be major priorities, and we will continue to follow the guidance of health authorities to maintain a secure environment for all. We are committed to upholding the necessary measures to ensure the well-being of our students and staff, and we are going above and beyond by mandating training for our schools to recognize and prevent potential threats to our campus communities.
Parents and guardians, your partnership in your child’s education is critical to their growth, development, and well-being. We encourage you to maintain open communication with our teachers and school administrators throughout the year. Together, we can make a positive impact on your children’s lives and prepare them for the challenges of the future.
Remember, in our schools, the “Catholic” comes first! We are first and foremost educational ministries of the Catholic Church, and a major focus of our schools’ missions is to evangelize and create spaces of love, learning, compassion, prayer and reflection.
The Hawaii Catholic Schools office, with a total of five employees, exists to guide and support all our Catholic schools in the state of Hawaii. Our mission is to foster Catholic identity, networking and collaboration, leadership development, academic excellence, and operational vitality of the Catholic schools in the Diocese of Honolulu. We do this to realize thriving Catholic schools developing students of faith, integrity and scholarship. Our philosophical approach is to serve, empower, and make a positive difference in the lives to whom and for whom we are responsible.
We look forward to embarking on this educational journey together, inspiring one another, promoting innovation, and celebrating the achievements that lie ahead. Let us create lasting memories, seize every opportunity, and embrace the challenges that will shape our learners into responsible global citizens and witnesses to Jesus.
Once again, welcome back! Let us make this academic year a truly exceptional one!
Best wishes for a successful and rewarding school year and God bless you all!
