Catholic Schools Week

01-29-2020Letter from the PastorFr. Don Kline, V.F.

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

The Wall Street Journal published an article in June of 2018 named, "The Catholic School Difference." It included the findings of a study by scholars at the University of California-Santa Barbara regarding the success of Catholic schools. Students in Catholic schools, "are more likely to control their temper, respect others' property, accept their fellow students' ideas, and handle peer pressure." In other words, Catholic School students exhibit more self-discipline and have a more productive environment in which to learn and academically and spiritually excel.

That self-discipline has led to many successes at St. John XXIII School that we celebrated during Catholic Schools Week! Our school is known for its academic excellence while upholding and promoting strong Catholic values. As our mission reminds us: Saint John XXIII Roman Catholic School Community is a partnership of parents, students, staff and parish communities that nurtures the growth of the whole child in a Catholic faith-based education through a challenging academic environment. In this Christ-centered atmosphere, the unique qualities of each student are recognized. Children are encouraged to be life-long learners and are taught to be active Christian leaders throughout their lives.

The Wall Street Journal article advised that readers should not underestimate the teaching of faith that positively influences the behavior of children. "Religion" the article says, "isn't the only way to foster self-discipline but it's effective compared to most of the alternatives in channeling youthful energy into productive self-control."

Our school is led by our principal, Preston Colao and assistant principal, Mr. Carl Hess who are tremendous faith-filled examples. We are blessed with an innovative and religiously committed teaching staff that leads by example. We also have the blessing of being able to offer a solid Catechesis of the Good Shepherd program, as well as our priests, who teach the faith to our children. In short, with the cooperation of our parents at home, our students know Jesus Christ and are prepared to live the Catholic faith.

In has been reported to me by local high school administrators that that they can always pick out high school students that were educated at our school. They report that our students are respectful, principled, know how to study and are well prepared to succeed in high school! They are leaders in high school and beyond.

I am proud of our students and I am thankful to our wonderful staff! I am also very thankful for our parents who make the commitment to our school's success. And finally, I am grateful for the stewardship of our parishioners that has helped us maintain our modest tuition that allows a diversity of students to receive this high caliber education at St. John XXIII School!

I believe that Catholic education not only benefits the students who attend Catholic schools, but all of us. St. John XXIII students are doctors, dentists, lawyers, business men and women, politicians, soldiers, teachers, as well as missionaries, priests, deacons and sisters.

Celebrate the many ways our Catholic Schools: Learn. Serve. Lead. Succeed! Our school is mostly full but there are a few grades with openings. Registration for the 2020-2021 year is currently underway! If you are interested, feel free to contact our school at 480-905-0939 or visit our school website at http://saintjohnxxiii.org.

God Bless,
Father Don Kline, V.F.

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