Catholic Schools Week 2013

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.