Students and faculty from Archbishop Neale School in La Plata, St. Mary’s School in Bryantown, and St. Peter’s School in Waldorf gathered at St. Peter’s Church for a Jan. 30 Mass that Washington Cardinal Wilton Gregory celebrated for Charles County Catholic Schools to mark Catholic Schools Week.
In his homily, Cardinal Gregory said that while subjects such as math, language arts, and social studies are very important, the most important thing to learn in school is how to love each other.
“Jesus in today’s Gospel says in spite of all those things that students have to learn, the most important subject that any of us have to learn, and have to learn well, throughout all of our days, long after we leave school or go away to college or begin professional lives, Jesus says the most important subject you have to learn is how to love one another,” the cardinal said.
Cardinal Gregory explained that if someone wants to be friends with Jesus, according to the Gospel reading, they would have to learn how to love all kinds of people, not just those with similar lives or interests.
“Sometimes that’s difficult, because there are people that are not always easy to love because they’re annoying or they’re different, or they speak another language or belong to another racial or cultural group,” Cardinal Gregory said.
According to the cardinal, this is where “Catholic schools excel.”
“There might be other schools that have great language programs, and I’m sure there are in the neighborhood, or great science programs or math programs or language arts programs, but Catholic schools are established and supported and founded to teach the most important subject that any of us have to learn,” Cardinal Gregory said. “That’s how to love one another.”
Cardinal Gregory said this lesson is a lifelong pursuit that everyone, including his brother priests, must continue to learn and strive for.
After Communion, Kelly Branaman, the Secretary for Catholic Schools and Superintendent of Schools for The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Washington, gave remarks about the Jan. 28 to Feb. 3 Catholic Schools Week, which has “Catholic schools united in faith and community” as its theme this year.
“It's a special time for us to come together and recognize the incredible commitment that each and every one of us has shown to Catholic education, but especially to our students who have shown commitment to studies and to living in Christ’s light every day,” Branaman said.
Branaman shared that she did not attend Catholic school as a child and became a member of the faith as an adult.
“My first experience in Catholic education was as a fifth grade teacher many, many years ago. I am just so ingrained and so in awe of what our Catholic schools do every single day. As students, your commitment to learning and growing and knowledge is inspiring, and you’re choosing to attend a Catholic school, you make a conscious decision not only to pursue your academics but to form yourself in the faith,” Branaman said.
She asked the students to thank the principals, pastors, teachers and their parents and guardians for contributing to their Catholic education.
“These individuals have poured their heart and soul into your formation, spiritual development, and your education. They’ve dedicated countless hours to guiding you, supporting you, and helping you become the best version of yourself,” Branaman said.
"Together, we strive to become saints here on Earth and to make a positive difference in the world around us, be it our school, our community, or a much larger presence. Let us continue to support and uplift one another, knowing that we are all part of a larger family united by our shared values and beliefs. So thank you again for the opportunity to join you this morning in your first Charles County Mass," for Catholic Schools Week, Branaman said.
After the Mass, St. Peter’s eighth graders Jack Doughty and Karlei Carlos, who have attended that school since pre-kindergarten, reflected on their experiences there.
“I like how the teachers are there for you. Like, you have to go to them for help, but they’ll always help you if you’re stuck on a problem or if there’s something you need, they’ll help you,” Doughty said.
Carlos plans to attend St. Mary’s Ryken High School in Leonardtown next year, while Doughty is still considering his options.
“I’ll miss the people and the teachers, because I have a big bond with them,” Carlos said.
