News from the Archdiocese of Winnipeg Catholic Schools

Message from the Archbishop

January, 2004

This edition of the New Wine Press carries an insert in respect to the Catholic Schools of the Archdiocese. I wish to acknowledge the important contribution our schools make towards bringing Jesus and his Gospel to our young people. The schools play a vital role in the evangelizing work of the Church. I wish to acknowledge also the efforts and sacrifices made by so many so that our schools can continue their mission: teachers and school staffs, parents, pastors and parishes and many others. Without the generosity of so many we could not move forward.

The governance structure of our schools has been significantly changed over the past year. The Archdiocesan School Board has been replaced by an Archdiocesan Council on Catholic Education. This move makes it clear that the individual boards are responsible for the operation of the individual schools, except in those areas where the Archbishop must take responsibility. As Shepherd of the Church, the Archbishop is responsible for ensuring the Catholic character of each school. The Council, representing the stakeholders, will advise the Archbishop on policy; the Director of Education will assist the schools in the understanding of and complying with Archdiocesan policy.

While Catholic Schools are committed to academic excellence, their clear purpose is to manifest the teachings and values of the Gospel and Church in every facet of school life. The program of religious education must be the centerpiece of every Catholic School. Our young people need to know what it means to be a Catholic and they must be given a solid catechetical formation appropriate to their ages. Wonderful resources are available, resources which allow the Scriptures and teaching of the Church to be presented in light of the Holy See's General Directory for Catechetics, the Catechism of the Catholic Church and the needs of the students.

I have instructed the Archdiocesan Council on Catholic Education to begin its work with an in-depth study of the religious education programs in all the Catholic Schools of the Archdiocese. We need to be assured that programs used reflect the teaching of the Church. We need to be confident that the teachers of religion are provided with the help they need to be effective catechists. Every student attending a Catholic School has a right to know what the Church teaches and a right to be helped to see how Jesus and the Church can help them make sense of their lives.

The issue of Catholic Education is one that involves every member of the Archdiocese. . Parishes with schools are educating our youth for the benefit of the whole Church and for society. These parishes need the support of the whole Archdiocese. While Sharing God's Gifts, our annual appeal, provides some support to Catholic Education, I believe we need to create new opportunities for all parishes of the Archdiocese to show their support and gratitude for the good work being done in our Catholic Schools. Helping one another in our work for the Kingdom is at the heart of what it means to be the Church.

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