With standing room only, more than 1,400 teachers and administrative staff from Catholic schools across the Arlington diocese attended the Opening Mass for Catholic Educators at All Saints Catholic Church in Manassas Aug. 22. The annual celebration was organized by the diocesan Office of Catholic Schools to honor dedication to Catholic education.
The event kicked off with morning Mass celebrated by Bishop Michael F. Burbidge. In his homily, Bishop Burbidge congratulated educators for an increase in enrollment for a third consecutive year and reminded teachers of their important role in spreading the Catholic faith to the world.
“We are called to find new and effective ways, in this age when our young people hear so many untruths, falsehoods and the distortion of faith, new ways to bring them the truth and the joy of the Gospel, especially to many of our young people who are stressed and anxious, who are lost and confused,” he said
He also encouraged them to rely on Mary’s help as they educate young people.
“How providential that we gather today in the queenship of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Please remind your students, dear friends, the reality that we all forget sometimes, that life on earth is merely a journey. Mary is there every step of the way as our intercessor, protector and guide showing us the path to heaven,” he said.
A choir of seventh and eighth graders led worshippers in song. Instrumentalists from Bishop Ireton High School in Alexandria and St. Paul VI Catholic School in Chantilly accompanied the choir.
Diocesan music teachers had nominated the middle-schoolers to join the choir during the summer. To prepare for the Mass, student musicians attended a music camp led by Paul VI Instrumental Music Director Jan Siegfried and Choral Director Sara Prince.
“We are very proud of our students, and it is for them that we teach in Catholic schools,” said Renee White, assistant school superintendent. “Inviting them to lead us in song during Mass is a beautifully uplifting aspect of celebrating Mass together.”
Just before the final blessing, Joseph Vorbach, diocesan superintendent of schools, gave a milestone recognition to diocesan teachers. Teachers celebrating 10, 25, 30 and 40 years of service received pins customized for each anniversary.
Students then treated educators to a musical performance in the church courtyard. Led by Ron Issacson, director of bands at Bishop O’Connell High School in Arlington, students from the school’s jazz ensemble played while educators mingled.
Following the performance, Andrew Abela, founding dean of the Busch School of Business at The Catholic University of America in Washington, addressed the educators on the “Human Operating System,” an integrated set of virtues cited by St. Thomas Aquinas that addresses all aspects of human life.
“People frequently confuse values and virtues, but they are very different from each other,” he said. “Values are ‘talking the talk,’ but virtues are ‘walking the walk’; values are knowing what’s right, while virtues are being in the habit of doing what’s right.”
He pointed the teachers to the online “Busch Virtues Diagnostic” that provides a summary of all the scientific research about each virtue, along with examples for growing in each virtue.
“Our society desperately needs an upgrade to our human operating system,” he said. “We as teachers can contribute to this by helping our students grow in the different virtues that make up the human operating system.”
St. Agnes School Assistant Principal Ann Reid said that amid the secular culture, Catholic schools help families to form their children in faith.
“As the primary educators of their children, parents need to know they can rely on their children’s school and teachers to help instill and reinforce the same values and faith that they do at home,” she said. “Catholic schools hold an important place in today’s culture, as our students exit them with a closer relationship with God, an excellent education and great personal character.”
