- Catholic education aims to provide academic excellence along with traditional Catholic Christian values and character formation. It creates a safe environment that encourages students to believe in themselves and work to their potential. - Teachers at Catholic schools play a vital role in molding every aspect of students' growth and development. They are challenged to reveal the Christian message through both their words and actions. - The goals of Catholic education are to teach the Gospel message, help students grow in their Christian faith community, and remind them of their obligation to serve others. Catholic schools strive to transform students into people who can contribute good to society.

1. Dear Principals, Teachers and students,
The Lord told King Solomon that he could ask for anything in the world and it would
be given to him. He did not ask the Lord for riches, power or long life. He pleaded for
wisdom that he might differentiate between good and evil. The Lord was pleased
with his desire for wisdom and he granted him everything because he did not ask
for a merely selfish wish, (1 Kings 3:7-12). Education has the ability to lead us from
darkness to light, from ignorance to truth. Every parent desires that their children
may be illuminated with knowledge and wisdom. Every government spends
enormous amounts of money on its citizens that they may be educated people.
“Education is a light that shows the mankind the right direction to surge. The
purpose of education is not just making a child literate but is the character
formation and transformation of the entire being. Education adds rationality to
ones thinking, makes one knowledgeable and self sufficient”. – Swami
Vivekananda
If education fails to inculcate self-discipline and commitment to achieve in the minds
of children, it is not their fault. The school, the teachers and parents are responsible
for not providing the child quality education. Indeed, the quality of one’s life progress
from the quality of education one gets in the childhood.
The learning process has to generate interest in the students and motivate them to
remain in the institution rather than to run away from it. Education should become
fun and a thrill to them rather than a burden and boredom. It is an integral part of
their growth and helps them become good citizens.
Swami Vivekananda one of the prominent educationalists of India points out that
“the defect of the present-day education is that it has no definite goal to pursue”. A
sculptor has a clear idea about what he wants to shape out of the marble block;
similarly, a painter knows what he is going to paint. But a teacher, he says, has no
clear idea about the goal of his teaching. Swami Vivekananda attempts to establish,

2. through his words and deeds that the end of all education is “man making”; just as in
the case of a plant, one cannot do anything more than supply it with water, air and
manure while it grows from within its own nature, so is the case with a human child”.
Why Catholic Education?
Catholic Education provides children with academic excellence enhanced by
traditional Catholic Christian Values. The teachers of Catholic School have the
opportunity to interact with and mold every aspect of a child’s growth and
development. The educators create a safe, loving environment that encourages
students to believe in their capabilities and to work toward their potential. The
teachers prepare the individual for an ever changing world in which thinking is not
only a habit, but a way of life.
The Vatican Congregation for Catholic Education states that Catholic schools are,
“seen as places where faith is part of the school’s culture and where all members of
the school community share this Christian vision.” The schools are called to
integrate “all different aspects of human knowledge through the subjects taught in
light of the Gospel” and help people “grow towards maturity in faith.” The teachers
play a vital role in the formation and transformation of the students. I put it this
way: a teacher can make out of student a saint or a stinker.
There was once this conversation between a father and the son:
“Dad, how is that you want me to study in a Catholic school but you always warned
me against going to a Catholic Church for any kind of service?”
“Son, our faith is different, that’s why I warned you against going to Catholic
Church”. But as time brings maturity to your thinking and faith you have the choice
to make.
“Why is that you insist that I go to a Catholic school?”

3. That is a good question. “Catholic education always excels in character
transformation. The Catholic institutions are known throughout history for their
dedicated and committed quality education. They transform you into a human
person who can contribute tremendous good to the society. Catholic institutions are
known for their discipline, dedication and commitment.” I want you to have deep
roots that you may really transform yourself.
The National Council of Catholic Bishops, in its pastoral message issued in 1972,
identified three main goals for all of Catholic Education:
- To teach the Gospel message
- To help people grow in the fellowship of the Christian community
- To remind the Christian of the obligation of service
“The Declaration on Christian Education” is one of documents of the Second Vatican
Council. It was issued in 1965. The document emphasizes “to create for the school
community an atmosphere enlivened by the Gospel spirit of freedom and charity…to
help the student in such a way that the development of his own personality will be
matched by the growth of that new creation he became by baptism…(and) to relate
all human culture eventually to the news of salvation.”
Every Catholic institution has a mission to accomplish and a vision to fulfill. Too
often, many of our mission and vision statements hang on walls, undusted and
unattended. Their great objectives can be realized only when everybody feels part of
this ministry. Teachers are particularly challenged to reveal the Christian message
not only by word but also by every gesture of their behavior. It challenges us to
transform ourselves into a living Gospel which students encounter and are inspired
by.
Where do we go?
During my short visit and interaction with the principals of Catholic schools in the
Diocese of Gallup I recognized some concerns. We need to coordinate our efforts of

4. providing Catholic Education to the children. The Diocesan Educational Office
eventually would like to move in the direction that would unite us.
Objectives at Local school
level
Objectives at Diocesan level
1 Raising of the academic
standards (Intellectual)
Developing vision and action plan from 2010 to
2015
2 Character formation (Human) Formation of Diocesan Council on Catholic
School Education
3 Promotion of Catholic Christian
values along with religious
discipline (Religious).
Tapping the financial resources locally,
regionally and nationally
4 Enhancement of Apostolic
zeal and Promotion of
pastoral abilities
Promotion of Catholic Identity and Education at
Parish Levels
I also noticed the tremendous potential all these institutions are gifted with in order
to actualize them into reality. We are all striving towards the same mission,
representing the one and same body of Christ. When we share a common mission in
life we need to transcend our own self-interests. We need to move out of our small
worlds to embrace a larger world of people, concerns and noble causes to which we
dedicated our lives. In our commitment to this great cause we discover meaning in
our life. We become streams for the thirsty travelers to drink.
The only way to reach anywhere is to start from where you are. Hence we need to
evaluate the potentials we have and develop them.
Determination, hard work and perseverance are the steps of the stairway to great
achievements. Everyone learns sooner or later that anything worth the name of

5. success is built on these three. A veteran circus man advised a novice flying trapeze
performer: “Throw your heart over the bars and your body will follow”. Throw
yourself into your endeavors and success will follow. I believe every one of our
Catholic schools needs to dream great dreams. Exceptional talents and perseverance
lead to great achievements. Few possess the former, but all of us can develop the
latter virtue. Nothing can substitute for steadfast work; neither talent, nor
education nor money. Great things are not necessarily attained by great persons, but
they are surely achieved by one who perseveres. Small decisive actions every day
are the strong bricks to build up the monumental edifice of success.
Fr. Ravikiran
Superintendant of Schools