News from the Archdiocese of Winnipeg Catholic Schools

Archbishop's Address to Catholic Educational Leaders at Winnipeg's Caboto Centre

Catholic Schools must maintain a spirit of communion

Archbishop James Weisgerber addressed Catholic Educational leaders at Winnipeg ’s Caboto Centre on February 9th, at a coffee and dessert reception hosted by the Archdiocese of Winnipeg Catholic Schools. Weisgerber began by thanking the assembled school principals, pastors, directors and board chairs and continued by saying that living as a Church of Communion prompts people of faith to “take our baptism seriously, enter into new relationships with each other and realize that we are incomplete without one another. The model holds true for individuals and communities as well.”

Archbishop Weisgerber turned to a colloquial restatement of St. Paul ’s words to emphasize the crucial need for well-filled and well-defined roles. He stressed the importance of “re-recognizing our interdependence” calling for a spirit of trust, forgiveness and communication. “All gifts have quality and dignity,” he said, “and need to be recognized and received in a well-ordered way.”

Rev. Richard Arsenault reviewed the structures within the diocese from both a civil and canon law perspective. Essential to each is the role of the Bishop who, in order to assure communion, remains   clearly and purposely the central figure in parish and school structures. The Bishop does not act outside the structures and individual parishes and schools cannot operate apart from the Bishop.

Strong, visionary school boards, pastors, directors and principals tend to the well-being of staff and students, continued Arsenault. The goal is the promotion of smooth functioning of the schools while maintaining a spirit of “good communion” and faith-filled vision.

In discussions regarding the increasing role of the laity in many schools, it was noted that the “Catholicity” is continually strengthened. Indeed, a new focus on faith grew from former assumptions and reliance on clergy. In closing, Archbishop Weisgerber enthused that “there is lots to celebrate during the upcoming Catholic Schools Week”.

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