by Carm Fiala
Lincoln Diocesan Schools have so many great things happening. We can celebrate this, year in and year out, because our community, our tradition and our commitment to the Catholic faith and to the students are clearly established.
When I was a student at Aquinas High School in David City, I wrote an essay on the importance of Catholic education and won first prize. That event was over 50 years ago, and I am not sure that I, as a 17-year-old, knew the true importance of Catholic schools.
Fast forward 25 years; I am now a teacher and an assistant administrator at that same school, and Msgr. Adrian Herbek, who was the superintendent at the time I wrote the essay, and who saved everything, presents me with that same essay, typed with a manual typewriter, on yellowing paper. Of course, I read it and realized I had learned much about Catholic schools since high school.
Another pivotal moment I recall was many years ago when I drove down to Wichita, Kan., with Msgr. Herbek and Msgr. Raymond Hain, the first superintendent of Aquinas, to attend the funeral of a religious sister who had taught at Aquinas in the 1960s. During that car ride, as those two wonderful Aquinas superintendents conversed, I discovered a true living history lesson on Aquinas in 10 hours. I could see that the tradition those leaders fostered was important to the present school community. I came to a deeper understanding; traditions unify a family, and traditions unify a school community.
Today, after retiring from a Catholic education career of 45 years, I still pay close attention to the good news and the numerous Aquinas recognitions: examples of growing in the faith manifest during daily Mass, class retreats, TEC retreats, March for Life, Lenten living stations, and May crowning. Students participate in countless service activities such as helping the needy in David City or Gallup, N.M. or Mexico City. The students’ “houses” (homerooms) each adopt one of the supporting parishes and complete projects for that parish.
Numerous accomplishments in sports and fine arts, including several state championships, are the pride of the students. Academic awards are extensive and culminate in the seniors’ many scholarships upon graduation, and notable successes.
Many great things happened this past school year, but one award emphasizes the whole school community and its traditions. Aquinas High School was awarded the Class C Multi Activities Award by the NSAA and NSCS. More than 70 percent of the students were in at least three different NSAA activities. This special recognition embodies community, tradition and commitment.
These students make a commitment, not only to themselves and to their school community, but especially to the ideal of being all that God created them to be, by using their God-given talents. A good portion of these students will have school days that go from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m.
They will have early morning practices in show choir or marching band, and will continue their active day through sports practices and after-school meetings, and some might end the school day with drama rehearsal, finally arriving home at 9 p.m. Then these same students will deal with homework. While dedicated to activities, students maintain high grades.
These young people not only participate in these activities because they enjoy them, or they are good at them, but also because they experience the community, the belonging, the common goal.
I am fully aware that this award or any other achieved honor could easily go to a public school. Our neighboring public schools can boast accomplishments in academics and extra-curriculars. The distinguishing characteristic is that we are Catholic. Being Catholic is why parents choose our schools. That one word, “Catholic,” takes in a whole spectrum of what parents sometimes can not express: it is the community, the expectations, the care, the common goals, and the ultimate goal… assisting young people to know, love and serve God.
Catholic education defines a tradition supported by a community of faith, including a community of parents, grandparents, friends, teachers and a staff who share the gift of faith. In this school community, students and adults can find encouragement to live the values and moral teachings of the Church.
Students, as well as adults, come to have a living relationship with Jesus through the sacraments and a faith community. Today, with so many negative forces in our world trying to tear us from a Christian way of life, young people, as well as adults, need this Catholic community.
As Pope Francis reminded young people in 2013: “The Lord is alive and walks beside us on our life’s journey.” With faith-filled commitment and tradition, our Catholic school community shares in that life’s journey.
