As institutions commissioned by the Church to minister the salvation of Jesus Christ, Catholic schools have the sacred duty to give a counter-cultural witness of the Gospel in a world that has lost a sense of the sacred. We do so by instilling in our young people a sense of wonder for human life, the type of wonder that allows life to be seen as a gift, not an obstacle, nor a burden or problem to be solved. This is accomplished when we aid students in their formation to be able to "see reality as it truly is," and "To embrace the mystery, the beauty, the wonder of existence itself."

By fostering strong partnerships with families, creating a culture of faith, supporting professional development for teachers, and promoting a holistic vision of education, the Catholic schools in the diocese of Portland, OR help parents fulfill their role as the primary educators of their children and contribute to the mission of Catholic education in the world.

The Catholic Education Playbook and Mission Outcomes document is the framework for understanding how the school can animate the Church’s mission ever more deeply for this age the Lord has placed us in. Specifically, the Playbook and Mission Outcomes give details on what Archbishop Sample means by “Mission Passionate Catholic Education” in the Archdiocese of Portland.

This column will explore how both educators and parents can help apply principles of TOB to all subjects and areas of student life. Language arts is the focus of this month.

Recognizing the sacredness of the moment is no small task for the family amid a culture that has taken Christian seasons and both de-seasoned and un-Christed them. In such a culture, Easter is only one day, not a season, and it is really about egg laying rabbits (and they accuse Catholics of strange beliefs…).