Last week, I was asked to share my thoughts with St. X on why I think Catholic education is important. I taped a segment to put on WSTX. This is what I said:
Good morning.
My name is Sharron Hilbrecht.
My son, Kyle, is a junior here at St. X, and I have two daughters at
Holy Trinity. I would like to
speak on behalf of parents on why I think Catholic education is important.
By the time our youngest child graduates from high school,
my husband, Kirk, and I will have spent almost a quarter of a million dollars
on Catholic education. And that
does not include college. A quarter
of a million dollars. Think of
what that could buy. A bigger
house. Fancy cars. A suite at the Yum Center. A vacation home in Florida…We choose
Catholic education instead.
Some of my non-Catholic friends have asked me why Kirk and I
are willing to spend this kind of money on education when the best public
schools in Jefferson County are within walking distance of our house. They point out that there are a few
teachings of the Catholic Church with which I strongly disagree. Why, they ask, are you willing to spend
that kind of money to send your kids to Catholic schools?
I’ll tell you why.
What this money has bought is not only the best book
education out there, but the best spiritual one as well. Our children are surrounded by people
living the Gospel of Christ in their every day lives and helping our kids to be
the best version of themselves.
The teachers and administrators of our children’s schools
have been living examples of people of faith. They have prayed FOR and WITH our children during difficult
times in their lives. Like when my
husband, who is in the military, was in Afghanistan, one of the coaches here at
St. X prayed for him everyday before practice. Whether there has been joy or
sadness in our lives, our school family has been there for us, and our children
have learned that as the Body of Christ, we share in each other’s joy and
suffer with each other’s pain.
What this money has bought are schools that teach our children
about the value of giving, of serving the neediest among us the way Jesus
taught us to do. Through their
schools, my children have fed the hungry through Dare to Care and given drink
to the thirsty through Edge Outreach.
They have clothed the naked through collections for the Schuhmann Center
and visited the lonely at the Masonic Home. They have lived the Gospel at their schools, making the
world a better place for everyone.
We may be at different levels on our journey as people of
faith, but in our Catholic schools, we are all moving in the same direction: Towards Christ. Towards becoming the people God meant
for us to be. Towards being that
shining light on the hill calling others to join us and share in the community
that is the Catholic Faith.
And that is worth every, single penny.
A reading from the Gospel according to Matthew.
“You are the light of the world. A city set on a mountain
cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and then put it under a bushel
basket; it is set on a lamp stand, where it gives light to all in the house.
Just so, your light must shine before others, that they may see your good deeds
and glorify your heavenly Father."
Let us pray:
Heavenly Father, Your light shines brightly in your children.
You have inspired us to do good deeds in your name. Bless this school and all
who work to make your will known in the world. We ask this in the name of the
Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Amen.
