Fr. Simon's Letter - January 30, 2022

Each year on the last Sunday of January we begin to celebrate Catholic Schools Week.  The theme for this year’s celebration is “Catholic Schools: Faith. Excellence. Service.” In a normal year we would celebrate this week starting with an in-person open house for all parishioners, daily special events with our students, and other celebrations for families, parishioners, and the community. It is a way to highlight what Catholic schools offer, the value Catholic education provides to our young people, and the positive impact Catholic schools have in their communities.

Unfortunately, again this year we are challenged to celebrate Catholic Schools Week in the midst of increasing COVID numbers and the disruption that has followed.  But, as always, our school will rise to the challenge. I am very proud that our school, along with other Catholic schools in the Archdiocese, can offer in-person education through this difficult time.  It is a great blessing to be able to serve our families, and I am so grateful to our principal Mrs. Emily Carlson, Assistant Principal Mrs. Amy Moore, teachers and staff who made it happen. I am also grateful to our students who were most cooperative and understanding throughout this time.

Without a doubt, being able to keep our schools open during this challenging time is certainly a blessing.  While we all had hoped that this school year would be a bit easier, that has proven to not be the case. Once again, our school has adapted to the needs of the school community. School Masses continue to be celebrated, games are being played, school clubs have resumed and outreach to others  remains  a hallmark  of  our parish school. 

It is precisely in times such as these that we search for direction and certainty, and the theme of this year’s Catholic Schools Week reminds us to go back to our roots, to realize who we are and to what we are called. We are people of faith. At a time where it can be difficult to make plans and move from one day to another, let us remind ourselves that our God walks with us during these times. Secondly, deep within us is a hunger for the beyond, for something better. We are not merely satisfied with what “is”, we are always striving for, as my father put it, the better than the best. Finally, may we never forget Christ’s example, that it is in giving of ourselves in love and service to another that we truly become his disciples.  

We are very proud of our parish school! We are blessed to have a parish school as part of the vibrancy and life of our parish family. I truly believe that parishes with a school are blessed in a special way, as a parish school provides unique opportunities for building up our individual families and the parish family, opportunities that parishes without a school do not have. What makes me most proud of our parish school is that our young people learn daily that faith in God is at the heart of their total education and has an essential place in their everyday lives.

I personally express my gratitude to the many parents and families who make it possible, at times making sacrifices, for their children to attend Catholic schools. Without the high level of parental involvement that our school enjoys, we could not achieve the success we have seen for so many years. I want every family in our parish with school age children to feel that Queen of All Saints School is an option for them. Please call the school or parish office and see for yourself what our parish school has to offer you and your child. 

Once again, as we mark Catholic Schools Week in our parish, we as a family of faith offer our admiration and gratitude to our principal Mrs. Emily Carlson, our assistant principal Mrs. Amy Moore and the many outstanding teachers and staff of our parish school. They deserve our thanks for their commitment, and for the many sacrifices they make to teach and form the young people of our parish. 

I encourage you to give thanks for Catholic education and pray for its ongoing success. I ask you to support the work of the Office of Catholic Schools in Chicago and all that it does on behalf of our Church, our young people and our families to promote the positive contribution of Catholic schools in the diocese. I also encourage everyone to speak out positively on behalf Catholic education, and share the good news that Catholic schools are good for everyone.

Blessings!!