Envision, Enflesh, Empower
By Bishop J. Terry Steib, S.V.D., D.D.
(Page 2 of 2)
The third challenge of the NBCC's plan is to create
and empower Eucharistic communities of faith and action - communities that work
for the common good; communities where boundaries are not rigidly established;
and communities where preconceived possibilities are not arbitrarily mandated.
We need communities where the potentialities of life are discovered and
recognize the paradox of differentiation and subjectivity. Our hope lies in
communities who recognize the unique and expressive contributions of African
Americans to the Catholic Church. Our strength flows from communities who value
Eucharistic unity within a vision and mission that is inclusive, global and
reflects the interdependence of all members of a Universal Church.
Society attempts to fragment our purpose by placing
demands on our time. We are waylaid into thinking we need to fill voids in other
areas, to address other issues, to overextend our current capacity. Yet our
mission is hinged on education. Our mission in Catholic schools is so clear. We
must do what we do best, educate children in truth for the honor and glory of
God so that they will become productive citizens and strong moral
decision-makers in the future.
Our mission in Catholic schools is clear to us. Yet,
the importance of the mission of Catholic schools for African American children
may not to be clear to others. It is our responsibility to articulate our
mission, and our vision. We are called to put the face of Jesus out into the
market places of our lives and the lives of the people we serve. We do this when
we open, or reopen, a Catholic school in the marginalized areas of a city. These
areas populated by children and families are the place where Catholic education
is needed now, more than ever. Cities die from the inside out. They must be
given new life in the same way. In many cities across this country, African
American children are underserved in the area of education. We, as Church, are
called to move into a new evangelization in order to promote growth, not in
terms of buildings, but in terms of people. That growth was mandated by Christ
himself, when he said, "Go, teach all nations." It is a mandate that is ever
ancient, ever new. The direction it takes now points us towards relevant
Catholic schools for all God's children.
The Holy Father is calling us back to be an
evangelizing Church. The Catholic Schools have long been one of the most
effective means of evangelization, as well as education, in the Catholic Church.
We must do more than simply maintain our Catholic heritage through education. We
must view Catholic schools as part of an ongoing evangelization process. We must
not abrogate our mission to bring the gospel where needed with what we do best.
Catholic schools have always been, and continue to be, a hallmark of the
Catholic Church.
Issue the invitation now, accept the challenge,
respond in faith to the needs of our children and to the evangelizing mission of
our Church.
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