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I have just come from my parish’s “Fiesta with Friends” – a two-day parish community celebration. There are games and rides for the kids, booths and food, food, food. The parish is made up of not only the school parents, but people representing all the ministries of the church and people who are not directly involved in a ministry of the church.  The best aspect of the fiesta is the sense of community it brings. As I walk through the crowded aisles of people, I am surprised with the amount of people who I know from this community. Some are parents and students of the school, some are involved in the Knights of Columbus, some are people who I have seen week after week in Mass, and others are members of the community who have come to this celebration to see what it’s all about.

When you attend a Catholic school, you are more than just a school parent, you become a member of a greater family. One of the greatest strengths that a Catholic school offers is the sense of family. Often times in a society where people are just too busy with their hectic schedules and family demands, there are few places that celebrate just being together. That’s what a Catholic community offers.  You are a member of something greater and will forever be a part of a larger mission.  With this being said, Catholic school administrators and parents alike should stand up and proudly resound, “We are Catholic education!”

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I have been reading The Wall Street Journal that the new trend in fashion is “what’s old is new again”. LL Bean’s classic look and Gucci’s original purse designs are in vogue. The rationale is the in times of economic uncertainty, people crave what is tried and true.  Thus, classic styles and cuts are making a come back. If this is the case, Catholic education should be seeing a resurgence in interest. Many Catholic schools can trace their history back 40, 50 or even 60+ years.  How many business can boast of being in business 50 years?  Catholic schools have remained in business for so long because while public schools often follow the latest trend in educational pedagogy, Catholic schools have stayed with the tried and true methods of teaching – focusing on the basics!  Catholic schools are once again ahead of the trend, but no one knows that because Catholic schools do not advertise their proven track record. Just as with fashion, trends in education have come and gone. In my lifetime, I have seen such educational philosophies as “new math” and not requiring students to learn to spell words correctly because it stifles their creativity!  New Math!  Mathematics has been around since the time of the Greeks, how can you make it “new”?  As for spelling, at some point in your high school, college or professional career, you will be required to write something without the assistance of spellcheck.

If what’s old is new again, then let’s celebrate over 300 years of Catholic education.  Never bowing to educational trends, but always providing a high quality education.