Celebrating the legacy: 150 years of Catholic Schools  

See also: Our schools: 150 years of strengthening the faith in Western Washington

During this school year it is especially appropriate for Western Washington Catholics to reflect on the teaching mission of the Church.  Much of Jesus’ ministry was spent teaching and he commissioned his Apostles to continue that ministry throughout the world.

From the beginning, the Catholic Church has evangelized, catechized and educated successive generations in faithful response to the call of Jesus Christ.  And for the past 150 years, this legacy has been lived out in Western Washington where it continues today with the work of nearly 1,800 teachers in 68 archdiocesan schools.

Celebrating the Legacy

During the 2005-06 school year these teachers, their students and the entire Archdiocese of Seattle will celebrate the 150th Jubilee of Catholic Schools in this archdiocese.  This yearlong celebration is much more than an historic milestone.  It commemorates 150 years of service, excellence and tradition by thousands of Catholic parents and teachers.  It also recalls the dedication and commitment of our religious sisters, brothers and priests who were the first to teach in our schools.

Celebrating the 150th Jubilee at your school Check out downloads available for your school.

In the current academic year more than 21,000 students in Western Washington are sharing in the legacy of Catholic education that began in 1856 when Mother Joseph and four Providence Sisters established Providence Academy.  That was three decades before Washington was admitted into the union, and in the 150 years that followed many more religious orders and parishes have opened schools from Vancouver to Bellingham.

These schools and dedicated generations of teachers who labored in their classrooms have prepared children and young adults to live their Catholic faith and take their place as leaders in Church and society.  Working with parents as the primary educators of their children, our schools and teachers have nurtured the growth of our faith tradition in Western Washington and formed generations of Catholic men and women for active engagement and leadership in this frontier region.

Identity, Accessibility & Excellence
Throughout its history, the mission of Catholic schools has been to educate all those who desire a Catholic education.  In some Western Washington communities today, Catholic schools provide the only option for an education that emphasizes Christian values.

The commitment to make Catholic schools accessible and to serve the families of our region’s diverse ethnic population regardless of their religious background emanates from Jesus’ call to teach others what he has taught us.   As a result of this educational outreach over the last century and a half, archdiocesan Catholic schools now comprise the ninth largest school system in the state.

But the impact of Catholic education extends beyond mere numbers.  While it is true that 97 percent of Catholic high school graduates go on to college, Catholic schools also nurture spiritual growth and develop the character of students to become fully engaged with the culture and society.  That’s because Catholic schools educate the whole person – mind, body, and spirit – so that students emerge as leaders, committed to serving the common good of their communities and the church.

Continuing the Legacy
Today, Catholic schools face pressing challenges. That’s why I established the Fulcrum Foundation three years ago to ensure that Catholic schools remain excellent and accessible.   This initiative, combined with the partnership of parishes and stewardship by leaders in education, is necessary to ensure that our tradition of service and excellence will be available to future generations.

Why has the Archdiocese of Seattle made a commitment to Catholic education that began in the 19th Century and continues today?  As Pope John Paul II said, “A faith which does not become culture is a faith which has not been thoroughly received, nor fully lived out.”  Catholic education is a pastoral ministry that supports the mission of the church to evangelize the culture and catechize new generations of Catholics.

Catholic schools call students to service and accountability as they learn to live in fidelity to the Gospel.  Nurtured by teachers with deeply rooted faith and a personal commitment to their ministry, students in Catholic schools learn to apply Gospel values and to exercise leadership as advocates for justice.

With guidance from their parents, schools and teachers, Catholic school students are preparing to live their faith and transform the world.  We have a responsibility to celebrate and uphold this rich legacy.

Catholic education is a continuation of the teaching mission begun by Jesus and handed on to the Apostles.  It is producing active, informed and committed Catholic citizens today and, with the guidance of the Holy Spirit and our stewardship, it will continue for the next 150 years and beyond.