By Deacon Matthew Hecker, Ph.D.
Faithful Catholic identity. Outstanding academics. Mission-driven faculty and staff. Tremendous parental involvement. Heroic, sacrificial, parish support. Surprising affordability.
These phrases come to mind as I conclude my time as Chief Administrative Officer of Catholic Schools for the Diocese of Lincoln. Each phrase might fill volumes, but I have about 800 words. I will simply argue that when you put it all together, our Catholic schools are unmatched in America. Bold words, to be sure, but true.
We have priests and religious sisters teaching in and administering schools. Our elementary schools begin each day with Mass. Annually, we graduate some of the most accomplished high school students in the state. We are on a journey to reclaiming traditional Catholic education; a tradition that produced some of the best and most talented scholars and artists in history. Where beauty, truth and goodness create a sense of wonder, as students encounter the marvels of God’s creation.
The prophetic vision of Bishop Glennon Flavin for maintaining faithful and affordable Catholic schools in the diocese has made all the difference. Bishop Flavin recognized the future of the Church resides in its youth. He knew the key to priestly and religious vocations was well-formed young men and women. He realized that happy and faithful marriages, based on an authentic understanding of human anthropology and biblical principles, are the bedrock of any culture. For centuries, the Church has known and transmitted these truths.
For their part, Bishop Fabian Bruskewitz and Bishop James Conley, despite many difficult challenges, have steadfastly maintained Bishop Flavin’s vision. As a result, our schools continue to faithfully, affordably educate the next generation of Catholics.
Visiting our schools, the greatest single element to the success of our schools becomes evident. In each of our buildings, it is abundantly clear that Jesus Christ is Lord and is the only reason for the school. Every administrator, every faculty and staff member share in a common mission to build the Kingdom of God in our schools. Our schools are united in a commitment to faithful, joyful orthodoxy. The purpose of which is twofold: to help our students know their true identity as sons/daughters of the Father, and to help get our students to Heaven.
The dedicated and caring women and men, who teach, work, administer in and maintain our schools, are awe-inspiring. To see a genuine love of God, so patiently and lovingly shared with young people, by missionary disciples embracing their vocation, moved me to tears on more than a few occasions. Every day in every school, a beautiful witness of the love of God unfolds.
One can’t help but be impressed by the hushed tones and orderliness present in our classrooms and hallways. Our students go about their day politely, diligently and with genuine respect for the teachers and for one another. In many of our buildings, the older students mentor the younger students and do so with touching sensitivity and care.
Another striking aspect of our schools involves an authentic sense of community and belonging. Interestingly, this sense extends well beyond the school. It includes local parishioners, to be sure. More than that, many of our schools are supported by non-Catholics, who might not have children in our schools. They are attracted by the strong sense of family values, community spirit, civic pride, respect for the military and the godly humility and genuine goodness in evidence in the schools.
That is not to claim our schools are perfect or that we’ve cleared all major challenges. We’re human. We don’t always get it right. And our schools face increasingly stiff challenges. Led by our faith, as the family of God, we place our hope and trust in our Father. We pray for and with one another, and we resolve our problems in the light of the gospel.
Beyond the schoolhouse, life’s journey can be difficult. As the family of God, our schools travel as communities in support of one another. I’ve often witnessed our school families rally around a family in crisis or in need. As a result, many of our families connect with one another in authentic friendship, which remains long after high school graduation.
I’m eternally grateful to Bishop Conley for the honor of a lifetime he bestowed when he named me CAO of Catholic schools in the Diocese of Lincoln. I’ve come to realize, these schools are a national Catholic treasure. A superintendent of a very large and very prominent archdiocese in America told me how he envied our diocese. He labeled it the “Disneyland of Catholic dioceses.” Yes, it was an exaggeration. No, we’re not Disneyland. But I appreciated the comment. It has everything to do with our educators, our families, our parishes, our priests, sisters, and our bishops. We are faithfully Catholic. These are your Catholic schools. Come join us.
