By Bernadette Sugrue | The Michigan Catholic

My mom used to say, “Little children with little problems.  Teach them well so it doesn’t become big children with even bigger problems!” 

Just one of the many snippets of sage advice coming from a woman whose formal education did not go beyond eighth grade.

But, a woman ahead of her time — one who had the God-given talent to start and run a business with her sister for 30 years, and balance fulltime work with making a home for her husband and two daughters — she was a woman of deep faith, possessing the strength of character to model commitment to her family and Church and virtues of humility, hope, fortitude, and joy, just to name a few.  

So in a 24-7 world of Google, Skype, Facebook, emails, texts, and global networking, how do we “teach them well?”

In our modern “me first” society that thrives on financial gain, immediate satisfaction, and superficial appearance, how are traditional virtues and values to be openly fostered, modeled, and lived within our Catholic Schools? 

Our theme this year, “Catholic Schools: A Virtuous Life”, provides a perfect opportunity for us to focus on how to “teach them well” and celebrate the role we play in assisting parents as the primary educators of their children.

Together we can provide a strong foundation for life-long faith development, teaching them about Christ and His Gospel message, and inspiring our children to live a life of virtue that springs from their Baptismal call.

This is the work of many hands.  It is purposeful work that is an intricate part of our Catholic schools and their Catholic culture. 

Pastors, principals, teachers, and all who interact with the students with whom they are entrusted must be cognizant of their vocation as part of a Catholic school community.

Personal qualities that reflect an individual’s strong faith and personal values compatible with Catholic teaching are sought and fostered.

A willingness to live as Jesus did and model His example by word and deed in order to assist students in their own personal faith development is also critical, for it shapes their decisions and lifestyle choices long after they leave our hallways. 

Each of us are called and challenged to “teach them well,” which includes modeling the ideal of living as Jesus did.

Fortunately, we don’t have to do it alone.

Just as in the past we’ve been blessed with great role models – teachers, priests, religious, and family (like my mom) – to help instill these virtues and values in us, parents today can continue to rely on their Catholic community of faith as a resource.

Our Catholic schools are one of the many ways the Church supports parents in their mission to “teach them well.”

During this year’s Catholic School Week, we should take special pride in our Catholic schools, whose personnel offer their time, talent and treasure to ensure a Catholic K-12 option for future generations.

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Bernadette Sugrue is superintendent of schools for the Archdiocese of Detroit.