My article appearing on page 13 in the 1/29/16 edition of The Messenger, the newspaper of the Diocese of Covington. (http://www.covdio.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/8604MessengerJan29.pdf)
People have asked me over the years why I spend the
money to send my children to Catholic schools when we have
good public schools in this area. I’ve been asked why I’ve dedicated
over 20 years to teaching and working in Catholic
schools, stating teachers already get paid less than they
deserve and Catholic schoolteachers less than that. Often, my
response is that Catholic schools are an extended family, or
being able to talk about and share my faith is a right I don’t
want taken away. Then there are times my decision to be a
part of our Catholic schools is confirmed exponentially.
Several years ago I was a part of a Catholic school family
where the principal had received a life-threatening diagnosis.
He needed to have surgery and, if successful, he should be
able to continue to live a normal life. On the day of the surgery,
just before the surgery was about to begin, the entire
school gathered in church to pray the rosary.It was a beautiful
example and a life lesson for those students; sometimes the
most important thing you can do in a day is to pray and to
pray for others.
When I was growing up, my Catholic school was near the
local firehouse. Anytime the fire trucks or ambulance left to
do a run, we would hear the sirens. Every time that happened,
our class stopped what we were doing and said a “Hail Mary”
for the safety of those in need and for those that were helping
them. It is something that I continue today, and I have taught
my children to do as well.
This week I learned that a lifelong friend’s husband has a
terminal illness. Their school-aged children go to Catholic
schools. My son brought home the story about his teacher
holding the hands of one of the affected children and telling
him she will pray for him, pray for his family and pray that
God will be with them throughout this journey. That is a family
I want my children to be a part of, a family that I am eternally
grateful to be a part of as well. I know that these children’s
Catholic school family will pray with them, will care
about them and will be able to live out their faith with them.
These unspoken lessons of having faith, of the power of
prayer, of love and care, of service for others, and of allowing
God to be a part of our lives everyday are the lessons that will
carry my children, and continue to carry me, throughout life.
That is why I’ve chosen Catholic education as my vocation,
and why I have chosen to send my children to Catholic
schools.
Shannon Bosley is the technology and curriculum coordinator
for the Department of Catholic Schools in the Diocese of
Covington.
