“Catholic Schools – Dividends for Life” is the theme for this year’s Catholic Schools Week observed throughout the United States this week. Catholic Schools Week is the annual celebration that focuses attention on the good work done by the nation’s Catholic schools. With no intention of degrading the good work accomplished in our public schools here in Owensboro, we can nonetheless be very proud of the high quality education our children receive in the Owensboro Catholic School System. The dividends of a Catholic school education—students prepared in faith, knowledge, morals and discipline—last a lifetime. There is no better way to invest in a child’s future—or the future of our world. I commend all our families who have made the sacrifice to provide a Catholic education for your children and offer a word of thanks to all our parishioners for the support you give to support our youth and the OCS system. I also take this opportunity to thank all the administrators and other personnel whose dedication and sacrifice make it possible for our children to receive a Catholic education. The school sites will have a variety of special events this week, but the highlight will be the Mass at the Sportscenter on Wednesday.
You will recall that more than one hundred of you participated in the “Best Practices” discussion groups coordinated by the Parish Pastoral Council. The results of those meetings have been collected and tabulated and the Council has taken an initial look at them. The members of the Council, along with committee chairpersons and discussion group leaders, will have an extended meeting next month to delve into this material in greater depth. Based on that data, they will formulate some goals for the parish for the next several years. I want to thank all who are involved in this process and ask the prayers of everyone as we continue to plan for the future and strive to fulfill our mission as a parish and diocesan cathedral.
Lent begins in two weeks (February 17th), and we will have a Parish Mission to help us move into the season. More details will be provided next week, but mark your calendar for the week of February 28 – March 3. The Mission will be preached by Fr. Dan Dorsey, president of the Glenmary Home Missioners.
We welcome Bishop-elect William Medley who moves into the rectory on Monday. We assure him of our prayers as he makes final preparations for his Episcopal ordination on the 10th. Love, Fr. John
