Bishop Michael F. Burbidge encouraged Catholic educators to rejoice at the 2022 Opening Mass at All Saints Catholic Church in Manassas Aug. 16. “My dear friends, rejoice in the vocation you have received,” he told them. “You’ve been chosen by God to assist parents in the education and faith formation of their children.
“I often think how blessed you are that you get the opportunity every day to stand before God’s beloved sons and daughters, to teach them, to guide them and to mentor them. Rejoice in knowing God’s great confidence in you,” he said. “And today in imitation of Mary, renew your yes to this beautiful call he has given to you.”
Hundreds of teachers and administrators from diocesan schools attended the packed Mass, along with several priests. The Mass was coordinated by the Office of Catholic Schools. The Diocesan High School Honor Ensemble provided the music. During a brief a capella interlude in the Communion hymn “Lord, I Need You,” the voices of all the teachers could be heard singing as one in the large church.
At the end of the Mass, teachers celebrating milestone anniversaries were recognized. Following Mass, the educators socialized and attended a speech by Andrew Swafford, a professor of theology at Benedictine College in Atchison, Kan.
Jessica Kurtis, a middle school language arts teacher, was honored for her 25 years at St. Timothy School in Chantilly. She said she loves the nurturing and supportive environment at her parish school as well as building her curriculum and sharing new ideas. “I feel very comfortable and at home. I feel that God is really keeping me there for a reason, like I have things to teach,” she said.
David Scoffone, a middle school religion teacher at St. Timothy, also has spent 25 years teaching in the diocese. His 11th grade history teacher inspired his career choice. “I remember saying, ‘I want to be you,’ ” said Scoffone. “I actually was able to write him when I (became) a teacher and tell him that I was a teacher because of him.”
Scoffone feels grateful for the past 25 years. “I get to teach our faith and it’s so worth the sacrifices. I can’t believe I’ve been so blessed to be able to do it,” he said. “It’s just been wonderful.”
