By Katie Ostgren,
Director of Development & Stewardship, Diocese of Lincoln
Good Shepherd Scholarship
The Catechism of the Catholic Church gives loving guidance to parents in regard to educating their children in the Catholic faith: “Parents have the first responsibility for the education of their children. They bear witness to this responsibility first by creating a home where tenderness, forgiveness, respect, fidelity, and disinterested service are the rule.” (CCC 2221)
“Education in the faith by the parents should begin in the child's earliest years. This already happens when family members help one another to grow in faith by the witness of a Christian life in keeping with the Gospel. Family catechesis precedes, accompanies, and enriches other forms of instruction in the faith. Parents have the mission of teaching their children to pray and to discover their vocation as children of God. The parish is the Eucharistic community and the heart of the liturgical life of Christian families; it is a privileged place for the catechesis of children and parents.” (CCC 2226)
“As those first responsible for the education of their children, parents have the right to choose a school for them which corresponds to their own convictions. This right is fundamental. As far as possible parents have the duty of choosing schools that will best help them in their task as Christian educators. Public authorities have the duty of guaranteeing this parental right and of ensuring the concrete conditions for its exercise.” (CCC 2229)
In light of this guidance, generations of parents have chosen Diocese of Lincoln Catholic schools to assist them in their mission of educating their children in the Catholic faith. Recently, dozens of current Catholic school parents across southern Nebraska were surveyed anonymously as part of a research project and were asked why they chose diocesan schools for their children’s education. Here’s what they said:
“We chose a Diocese of Lincoln Catholic school so the faith we have and discuss at home isn't separate from their school experience, but instead another extension of it.”
“We as parents are obligated to do all that we can to lead our kids to heaven. In doing so, we influence future generations to be faithful, as well. Preparing our children to have a relationship with our loving God is greatly enhanced by sending them to our Catholic schools here in the Diocese of Lincoln. Hoping that they see Him as He is, a truly merciful and loving Savior.”
“My children attended public school in their early years, and once we made the change to a Diocese of Lincoln Catholic school, we witnessed a world of a difference in all areas of their being. I am so glad we found out about how affordable it truly is and made the choice to switch!”
“One thing that really impresses me about our Diocese of Lincoln Catholic school is the commitment to good discipline. We want our children to grow up to be good citizens, people who care about others and are servant-hearted, and who know how to interact well with other people as part of a community and a society. We want our kids to learn to put others first, and the focus on service and mission trips in our school really helps us emphasize that.”
“Our Catholic schools offer an education grounded in a moral foundation. This more consistently enables children, with the help of the parents and the school community, to reach their full potential.”
“We are so thrilled with what our Diocese of Lincoln Catholic School has done for our family. We have had children on both ends of the curve—one advanced learner and one needing extra help. Our school has met each of our children where they are, even though their needs have been very different, and given them exactly what they have needed to grow and learn and be successful.”
“I can’t believe how affordable it is to send my kids to Catholic school in the Diocese of Lincoln when compared to other dioceses! Tuition is definitely a big chunk every month, but it is worth every penny and then some, to be able to educate our children in a school where the Catholic faith is taught so faithfully and woven in to every aspect of their day.”
“Our small town Catholic school is like a big family. Our old pastor called it a family of families. We love raising our children in this environment!”
“Not everything at our Diocese of Lincoln Catholic school is perfect, but the fact that our three children start every single day in Mass, receiving Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament, is the greatest gift we can give them as parents. We believe that by giving them the formation of a Catholic education, it will be more natural for the values that we are trying to instill at home to become part of who they are forever.”
Diocese of Lincoln Catholic Schools are continually committed to partnering with parents to assist them in their mission of raising their children to be the saints they are called to be. If you’re not already part of our Catholic school community, we invite you to consider Diocese of Lincoln Catholic Schools! Find your school today at WeAreCatholic.org.
