Parent Letter Catholic Schools Week 2010

Fifty plus years ago my parents made a choice for Catholic Education. At that time they chose my parish school, St. Mary’s in Willimantic. Since that time all but 5 years of my life have been spent as a Catholic School student, teacher or administrator.

Some would ask “Why?” Others who have experienced Catholic Education know the answer. From the time I first sat in Sr. Albert’s kindergarten class to this day as I walk the halls and visit the classrooms of the St. Joseph School family, I have seen many changes occur in our schools. As a child I was a student in a school staffed entirely by religious sisters. In my adult life I have taught where the population of religious sisters declined, and finally here at St. Joseph, I have been a teacher and now principal in the first all lay school in our Diocese. In spite of these changes, the essence of the Catholic School remains, and here at St. Joseph School the charism of the Mercy Sisters, the mission of educating and welcoming continue to live on through the wonderfully dedicated people who staff our school. I am truly grateful to be a part of a school community where both parents and staff members believe in Catholic Education because of the immersion in our faith and excellence in education.

I have watched as parents and teachers, have chosen to be a part of Catholic Education at great personal and financial sacrifice. Yet, in making these sacrifices we have remained steadfast in our dedication to the principles of Catholic Education—to be a community of faith, to share the message of God in word and action, and to serve the people of God.

As a family we have mourned with students, parents, and teachers who have lost parents, siblings, children, and friends. Our school family has stood in support of those in physical pain as well as emotional. We have celebrated births, graduations, weddings and any number of joyous occasions. We have laughed with our children, listened when a sympathetic ear was needed, and given guidance when firm but gentle discipline was a need. I have personally been honored to read at the weddings of students and serve as godmother to the children of former students and now adult friends.

Why would one spend so many years in Catholic Education? We in Catholic Schools are family and we do what families do. We are present to each other not only for a moment but also for a lifetime. These are the dividends of which our Catholic Schools Week Theme speaks, “Dividends For Life”. It is our hope as a Catholic School Family to prepare our young people to live in God’s world as His people. It is our mission, as a Catholic School community to share God’s Good News…that God loves us unconditionally simply because we are His children. It is our mission to reflect this love in building His kingdom of peace in our world, as we celebrate our mission of service to His people. For these reasons I have spent 50 plus years in Catholic Education.

I thank you the parents of our school family, and I applaud your choice for Catholic Education for your children. May God bring every blessing to your families and to your homes.

Sincerely,
Marianne Cote
Principal