OFFICE FOR SOCIAL MINISTRY
“Catholic education is also evangelization: bearing witness to the joy of the Gospel and its power to renew our communities and provide hope and strength in facing wisely the challenges of the present time.” (Pope Francis to Catholic educators gathered in Rome 2022)
Since the beginning of his papacy, Pope Francis has often spoken passionately about the vital role of Catholic education in local communities around the world. In one of his early addresses to teachers and students gathered in Rome nearly a decade ago, he emphasized the importance of developing the wholeness of a student rather than just sharing textbook teaching: “A school’s mission is to develop the sense of the true, the good, and the beautiful … True education makes us love life, and it opens us to the fullness of life!”
This year, before the U.S. National Catholic Schools Week, Jan. 28 to Feb. 2, celebrated its 50th anniversary, our Holy Father met with Catholic educators from around the world and urged them to “form the head, hands and heart together: preserving and enhancing the link between learning, doing and feeling in the noblest sense. In this way, you will be able to offer not only an excellent academic curriculum, but also a coherent vision of life inspired by the teachings of Christ.”
The pope also echoed his early reflections on education as evangelization saying: “As educators, you are called to nurture the desire for truth, goodness and beauty that lies in the heart of each individual, so that all may learn how to love life and be open to the fullness of life.”
The National Catholic Schools Week fuels the passion for the fullness of life, marking an annual celebration of Catholic education in the United States with this year’s theme centered on faith and unity in community. From celebrating special Masses to open houses and engaging activities, Catholic schools nationwide, including those in Hawaii, actively participate in this special week. Through these events, schools underscore the value of Catholic education, emphasizing the incorporation of Gospel values — faith, hope and charity — which serve as the foundation for social ministry. Encouraging teachers to connect Catholic education with social ministry can be crucial. In Hawaii, where 1 in 4 private school students receives a Catholic education, and nearly 98% are college-bound, these students are an essential part of our future. For more on the vital role of Catholic Education in Hawaii, please visit the diocesan website www.catholicschoolshawaii.org.
Amidst this inspiring narrative of Catholic education in Hawaii, a special story of faith-filled resilience has emerged from the Maria Lanakila Parish in Lahaina, Hawaii. Last August, catastrophic wildfires consumed the parish’s Sacred Hearts School buildings and 84 students along with 12 teachers lost their homes. Despite the devastation, the school promptly reopened at the parish mission church in Kapalua. This act of resilience, fueled by deep faith, not only provided stability for the affected students, but also welcomed others from public schools destroyed by the fires.
Maria Lanakila Parish is now seeking a “temporary-permanent” home to accommodate its school’s needs until a full rebuild can occur in three to five years. The establishment of the Sacred Hearts School tuition assistance fund is to ensure that every child in need can continue receiving a Catholic education while families rebuild their lives. A compelling video of this hopeful story is currently featured on the Hawaii Catholic Community Foundation website hicathcomfdn.org/SHSTuition. This is not only a story of resilient survival; it is a story of Catholic education faithfully thriving and helping rebuild Lahaina’s future.
During this year’s National Catholic Schools Week, we can actively witness to Jesus by helping the remarkably resilient Maui members of our Catholic education community rise once again through supporting the Sacred Hearts School tuition assistance fund. Indeed, our generous donations can help bring comfort and hope to those in need, thus serving as a shining example of the enduring light of Catholic education.
As Bishop Larry Silva encouraged all immediately after the August 2023 wildfires: “Let our faith guide us as we navigate the challenges ahead, knowing that with the grace of God, all things are possible. May God bless you all abundantly, and may our efforts bring comfort and hope to those in need. Maria Lanakila (Our Lady of Victory), pray for us!”
Mahalo,
Your friends at the Office for Social Ministry
