Catholic parents, schools work together for children

Monday, August 23, 2010

*Dr. Carlota Morales Ph.D. - Sts. Peter and Paul School

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Our back-to-school meetings prior to the new school year afford all of us at Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic School the joy of welcoming the parents and in some way, through them, their children. For it is through the parents and thanks to them that we come to know the students� hopes and aspirations, their successes and their setbacks. Today, as we begin a new school year, we wish to offer all the members of our community our fervent good wishes of happiness, peace, prosperity, and health and, of course, all the divine blessings.

I think that we all have been struck by the feeling of fear that permeates our society and us, as citizens. Yet everything can change. It depends on each of us. Everyone can develop within himself or herself the potential for faith, for honesty, for respect of others and for commitment to the service of others, all values taught in our Catholic schools.

As responsible adults we must say yes to life, respecting life itself and individual lives. Everything starts here, for the most fundamental of human rights is certainly the right to life. The battle for peace is always a battle for life. We have a duty to solidarity. In a world with a myriad of information, it becomes often very difficult to communicate. We must spare no efforts to ensure that everyone feels responsible for the growth and happiness of all, especially the young.

We, at Sts. Peter and Paul School, try to instill these values in our students. Together, as we begin this school year, we must have the courage to say �No� when it is necessary.

Catholic schools can make changes possible in the course of events, once good will, trust in others, fidelity to commitments and cooperation between responsible partners are allowed to prevail. As believers, we can do it with our faith in a God who is the Creator and Father of all.

As we begin this year, let us be symbols of spirituality, dialogue and peace and let us contribute by our daily actions to the advancement of justice and peace. To all the parents who know and understand the value of Catholic education above everything else, may the Lord repay you a hundred fold. May God pour out His abundant blessings upon you, your children and your families and may all of us have a wonderful 2010-2011 school year.

Comments from readers

Carlota E. Morales, Ed. D. - 08/26/2010 12:08 PM

Dear all,
Thank you very much for sharing your thoughts about Catholic education. Your kind words humble me. After 41 years in Catholic schools, I proudly sing their praises.
In His name,
Carlota E. Morales

Sr. Lidia Valli - 08/25/2010 04:18 PM

Thank you Dr. Morales for sharing a positive and joyful message at the beginning of this new school year. It is very important that we first, believe and accept the challenges of a deep spirituality in our life, of being excellent communicator, and of putting God at first place in our life. May our Lord greatly bless each and every one. Deo gratias! Thanks be to God!

Susy Del Riego - 08/25/2010 08:38 AM

Dr. Morales,
Our Catholic schools are a true testament to the "Word made Flesh". We are blessed to have parents who believe strongly enough in our Catholic values and traditions to educate their children in our system. I thank you for recognizing their sacrifices and efforts not just on behalf of Sts. Peter and Paul, but on behalf of all Catholic schools. May we all strive to keep the tradition alive!
Susy Del Riego, Principal
Good Shepherd Catholic School

Cindy Perez - 08/24/2010 06:04 PM

One word, "Amen"! I think this attitude of spirituality and values should be fostered by all schools across the country. We cannot do this alone, we must all work together: parents, teachers, students, principals with Christ in the center! Having our Lord in the center of everything is of the utmost importance. To instill this in our children is needed and is our responsibility as Christians. I pray that we all remember we are one, one in Christ.
Thank you for such an insightful message.

Teresa Martinez - 08/24/2010 03:55 PM

Thank you for such a wonderful message to get the new school year off and running! As a parent of two children at Blessed Trinity School I feel very blessed and fortunate to have them at the school with such a wonderful principal and incredible teachers. I applaud all teachers and thank you for all that you do. Carlota the students and families at Sts. Peter and Paul are lucky to have you in their lives.

Maria E. Semper - 08/24/2010 10:21 AM

Dear Dr. Morales: Thank you for welcoming the parents of Sts. Peter and Paul as well as all the parents that are part of the Catholic school community. It is such an inspiration to be reminded of what it is that our children learn and live at our schools. It is my belief that one who knows this facts will have the priority to send their children to Catholic schools. Through Catholic education is that the children,the families and the whole community are enriched, ultimately to be able to be witnesses of God and spread the Gospel to all.
You have dedicated your life to this mission. Thank you again.
Maria E. Semper
Sts. Peter and Paul School

Richard DeMaria - 08/23/2010 04:04 PM

Carlota: Thank you for sharing your letter to parents. I would think that the parents would be eager to attend since the purpose is that you understand better the hopes and aspirations of their chidlren. Part of education is helping students to pay attention to the desires of their hearts, because, ultimately, these will lead them to recognize that only a love that lasts forever will meet their desires. It is also good to remind the parents in this first note that sometimes it is necessary that they and the school say "no" in order to be good educators. Richard

Carlota E. Morales, Ed. D. - 08/26/2010 12:08 PM: Dear all,
Thank you very much for sharing your thoughts about Catholic education. Your kind words humble me. After 41 years in Catholic schools, I proudly sing their praises.
In His name,
Carlota E. Morales

Sr. Lidia Valli - 08/25/2010 04:18 PM: Thank you Dr. Morales for sharing a positive and joyful message at the beginning of this new school year. It is very important that we first, believe and accept the challenges of a deep spirituality in our life, of being excellent communicator, and of putting God at first place in our life. May our Lord greatly bless each and every one. Deo gratias! Thanks be to God!

Susy Del Riego - 08/25/2010 08:38 AM: Dr. Morales,
Our Catholic schools are a true testament to the "Word made Flesh". We are blessed to have parents who believe strongly enough in our Catholic values and traditions to educate their children in our system. I thank you for recognizing their sacrifices and efforts not just on behalf of Sts. Peter and Paul, but on behalf of all Catholic schools. May we all strive to keep the tradition alive!
Susy Del Riego, Principal
Good Shepherd Catholic School

Cindy Perez - 08/24/2010 06:04 PM: One word, "Amen"! I think this attitude of spirituality and values should be fostered by all schools across the country. We cannot do this alone, we must all work together: parents, teachers, students, principals with Christ in the center! Having our Lord in the center of everything is of the utmost importance. To instill this in our children is needed and is our responsibility as Christians. I pray that we all remember we are one, one in Christ.
Thank you for such an insightful message.

Teresa Martinez - 08/24/2010 03:55 PM: Thank you for such a wonderful message to get the new school year off and running! As a parent of two children at Blessed Trinity School I feel very blessed and fortunate to have them at the school with such a wonderful principal and incredible teachers. I applaud all teachers and thank you for all that you do. Carlota the students and families at Sts. Peter and Paul are lucky to have you in their lives.

Maria E. Semper - 08/24/2010 10:21 AM: Dear Dr. Morales: Thank you for welcoming the parents of Sts. Peter and Paul as well as all the parents that are part of the Catholic school community. It is such an inspiration to be reminded of what it is that our children learn and live at our schools. It is my belief that one who knows this facts will have the priority to send their children to Catholic schools. Through Catholic education is that the children,the families and the whole community are enriched, ultimately to be able to be witnesses of God and spread the Gospel to all.
You have dedicated your life to this mission. Thank you again.
Maria E. Semper
Sts. Peter and Paul School

Richard DeMaria - 08/23/2010 04:04 PM: Carlota: Thank you for sharing your letter to parents. I would think that the parents would be eager to attend since the purpose is that you understand better the hopes and aspirations of their chidlren. Part of education is helping students to pay attention to the desires of their hearts, because, ultimately, these will lead them to recognize that only a love that lasts forever will meet their desires. It is also good to remind the parents in this first note that sometimes it is necessary that they and the school say "no" in order to be good educators. Richard