A Sign of Hope III

      Looking at the Church of Greensburg today as we await the Statewide Grand Jury Report on the abuse of children by a number of priests over the last seventy years, I would like to focus in this post on the Mission of Faith Formation and Catholic School Education.   Given the tremendous crimes and sins experienced by young victims of which we are all sorry and ashamed, it bears noting that the mission of the Church to care for our young people continues with renewed efforts at protection and strengthening the quality of education and growth.

     In the Diocese of Greensburg today we find 2,300 students in 11 elementary schools and 2 junior-senior high schools.  The parents of these children have committed to the high standards and the quality of education in our schools and despite high tuition costs have placed their trust in our schools.  The academic excellence found there is combined with the teachings of the Catholic Church and the teaching of moral values.  Our schools provide a safe environment and benefit from tremendous faculties that share knowledge as well as the value of service to others.

     And when I speak of academic excellence, consider these stats: our 2018 graduates from high school were offered $10,117,919 in scholarships and grants ... and in a college-in-high school program those graduates earned 886 college credits while in high school.

     Add to all of this the thousands of youngsters in our parish Religious Education Programs who have the faith shared with them by catechists and aides who, like our school teachers, have their background clearances and who have been thoroughly trained in the protection of God's children.  

    

     Our children are our most important concern.  The failures of the past, whatever the number (let me say that one is too many) will find no acceptance in the Church today.  Our efforts and policies for the past thirty years are striving to root out this terrible evil and provide a safe environment for all of God's children.