As we celebrate Catholic Schools Week, let us reflect on the great gift of a “Catholic education.” Moments with God are essential for faith formation, and attending a Catholic school plays a monumental role in building this relationship with God. Faith is fostered first and foremost at home through family traditions, daily rituals, and discussions. Just as babies grow and learn how to eat, talk, and play, they also begin to know Jesus and explore aspects of their faith through their family. Babies are surrounded by love, joy, and hope while in the womb as they listen to their family’s prayers. As they grow, young children watch their parents clutch rosary beads, hear siblings talk about their favorite saints, see statues of the Holy Family, and listen to songs of praise at Mass.
St. Benedict Classical Academy encapsulates this idea very well in its mission statement- “SBCA offers a distinctive classical Catholic education for the whole child, cultivating intellectual and moral virtue in a joyful, Christ-centered environment, rooted in the riches of Catholic magisterial teaching as defined by the Catechism of the Catholic Church. In uniting the Catholic Faith with a classical curriculum, and integrating into the life of the school the virtues first learned in the family, our students gain not only knowledge, but an appreciation of education as a noble pursuit.”
As both a parent and teacher at SBCA, I feel blessed to provide my child with a Catholic education, rich in the fruits of our faith, while also being an integral part of a young child’s development in a place where we live and walk in faith.
I have fond memories of my days as a young student at a Catholic elementary school. I remember the costume my mom made me as I proudly paraded through the halls as Saint Brigid on All Saints Day, and the joy of being chosen to crown Mary during our annual May procession in honor of our Immaculate Mother. As I think back on those days, I recall not only memorizing prayers and hymns with my classmates but also the priests who visited our classrooms and the privilege of being involved in school Masses. Most importantly, I remember the pure holiness of the nuns who lived and taught at the school – a beautiful example of working and living every day in the light of Christ!
At SBCA, we remind our students “to be the light of Christ in our prayer, work, and play,” teaching them what it means to be Christ-like. In Kindergarten, we start the year making sure the children know that this is a central part of who they are as SBCA students. It’s beautiful to see them embrace this so quickly. As we start the day with prayer, they know that God is the center of our day. I see their excitement when the class job of “prayer leader” is announced and that student gets to choose the prayer for the day. We teach the children about saints who are true examples of what it means to be Christ-like and how they became saints by having great faith and following Christ’s teachings. The children eagerly listen to these stories during their ‘Virtue Talk” where they learn about a particular virtue and how they can also be courageous or faithful. You see them wanting to know more and be like that Saint, just as other children look up to a superhero or princess.
They also learn that they can be close to Jesus any time of the day. Whether they’re on the playground with friends or working hard in the classroom, Jesus is always listening. They know that prayer and a connection to Jesus does not only have to happen during their chapel time or during Mass. They are taught that just as communication is important in a friendship with a friend in class, so is communication with Jesus to keep this friendship growing. It is important for them to learn that they can pray in different ways as well and we see the children quickly understand this during chapel time when we hear their intentions before silent prayer, praying for sick loved ones, unborn babies, and thanking God for their families, friends, and teachers.
At SBCA, teachers model great faith and a connection with Christ in their daily life, showing their students that they, too, are called to have the same relationship with Jesus. For example, last year, a Kindergartner noticed that a certain teacher was always in the chapel and whispered to me, “I know why he’s always in the chapel – because he wants to be best friends with Jesus.” Moments like these exemplify the profound impact of a Catholic education.
Catholic schools offer a place where children can grow spiritually in the truths of our faith while simultaneously learning academics and virtue. A Catholic education helps form a child’s spirit, helping them grow closer to God, tackle difficulties, and ‘carry their cross’ with grace and trust in Him.
AUTHOR: Katie Elliffe, Kindergarten Assistant Teacher