Catholic Schools Week 2020

As we celebrate National Catholic Schools Week, I am reminded of my Catholic education and the formation my dear parents and Catholic educators provided by their example and sacrifices. I will be forever grateful to them! In that regard, I also extend my heartfelt and sincere appreciation to the parents of our students. You too are setting the stage for your children to be formed in our holy Catholic Faith and to live the Gospel as Christ commanded.

When I visit our schools, I witness inspiring and beautiful communities of faith. Children are thriving because our 1,400 teachers and administrators are focused on promoting Catholic identity and faithfully dedicated to their vocation. By their example as Gospel witnesses, our Catholic educators help our students to grow in love of God and knowledge of their faith, while being encouraged to use their gifts to glorify the Lord and serve our brothers and sisters in most need.

Catholic schools in the Diocese of Arlington are known for their strong Catholic identity and excellence in education. Our 17,000 students in the Catholic schools throughout our diocese grow in faith and intellect, and are provided countless opportunities to serve others. More than 70 percent of our schools have been recognized as Blue Ribbon Schools of Excellence by the U.S. Department of Education. Standardized test scores reveal that our students score well above national averages, and last year, our graduates were offered more than $92 million dollars in scholarships.

The future is bright for Catholic schools of the Diocese of Arlington. We look forward to the grand opening of the new 16-acre campus of St. Paul VI Catholic High School this August, and the completion of major construction and renovation projects to Bishop Ireton and Bishop O’Connell High Schools. In addition, we see continued growth in our capacity across the Diocese to welcome students with unique learning challenges — a development I am thrilled to see and am committed to supporting in our Catholic schools.

Happy Catholic Schools Week, Diocese of Arlington! I am so proud of our schools and pray that, with God’s grace, they will continue to flourish. May God bless our students, parents and all Catholic Educators and keep them always in His care.