Home / News & Publications / Michigan Catholic News / 2010 / Mission of schools is same as the apostles', Archbishop Vigneron says
Mission of schools is same as the apostles', Archbishop Vigneron says
by Robert Delaney of The Michigan Catholic
Published February 12, 2010
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Gregg McIntosh | The Michigan Catholic
Students from Bishop Kelley Elementary, Lapeer, and Christ the King Elementary, Detroit, were the altar servers for the Mass. |
DETROIT — What really distinguishes Catholic schools is that they are continuing the work Christ commissioned during His earthly ministry, Archbishop Allen Vigneron told students from across the Archdiocese of Detroit Feb. 4.
"Your schools, our schools, continue the work of the 12 Apostles – that's why we have them," Archbishop Vigneron said in his homily at the annual Catholic Schools Week Mass.
More than 700 youngsters, teachers and administrators representing the 75 Catholic schools in the archdiocese filled the Cathedral of the Most Blessed Sacrament for the event.
"What Jesus sent them to do is what we aim to do in our schools. Now, we do what every other school does, as well – we have math and reading, science and social studies and history – they're real schools, but they're different, too, because our schools teach and live on the basis of the teaching that Jesus Christ is the pearl of great price," he said in his homily.
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Gregg McIntosh | The Michigan Catholic
Archbishop Vigneron stands with two representatives of the winning schools in this year’s Catholic Identity Awards (from left) Sharon Dixon, principal at Shrine Grade School, Royal Oak, and Julia Liggett, a student at Shrine Academy, which won for the middle school level. Shrine High School took the high school award. The awards are given to the schools that score the highest on the archdiocesan religion test. |
Speaking of the difference between Catholic schools and public or private secular schools, the archbishop continued, "We teach two kinds of wisdom in our schools – the wisdom that will help you have a job, that will teach you how to read, that will help you make your way in your life, live your vocation, and the wisdom that will help you live for God, live for the world to come."
Archbishop Vigneron added, "In fact, we believe that the wisdom of Jesus Christ, that knowing Jesus Christ, that believing in Jesus Christ and giving myself completely to Jesus Christ, is the way for me as a reader, as a mathematician, as a scientist, as an engineer, as a doctor, as a worker, as a mom, a dad – that the wisdom of Jesus Christ gives zest, it gives life to everything that the world says is truly wise. "
The intercessions were read by students from 10 different schools, while students of five schools presented the gifts and brought up the gifts at the Mass. Guardian Angels Elementary, Clawson, provided the choir, and the ushers were from Cardinal Mooney Preparatory High School, Marine City.
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