A Letter from The Diocese of La Crosse Catholic Schools Superintendent
I once said to Bishop Callahan, “You know, our Catholic schools are schools full of sinners.” His response was quick, “Yes, schools of redeemed sinners.” What an awesome truth.
How is it that our students, teachers and administrators are redeemed? We are redeemed by an amazing God who loves us so intensely that He sent His Son to teach us, guide us, die for us and defeat the power of death to ultimately save us.
I believe this love from Christ must be visible and permeate all we do in our Catholic schools. This is necessary to create a loving and safe space for each student and employee. Within this space, we can then clearly demonstrate the two great commandments: Love God above all else and Love our neighbor as we love ourselves. It is the responsibility of the entire Catholic school community to demonstrate to one another that Christ’s message is constantly present in the school’s environment.
The way our employees welcome Christ’s love into our schools is not always the first reason parents choose to send their children to our Catholic schools. Many parents enroll their children in Catholic schools because of excellent academics, smaller class sizes, wonderful service projects and strong extracurricular activities. We happily accept these families into our Catholic school communities because all children need to hear they are redeemed through the love of Jesus Christ.
Thank you to all our Catholic school teachers, counselors, support staff and administrators for bringing the message of forgiveness and love from our Father and His Son. Bishop Callahan and I gratefully appreciate your work as you evangelize the next generation of Catholics in the Diocese of La Crosse. We know you sacrifice a great deal to educate the children in the Catholic Faith.
Some may question why the superintendent for Catholic Schools would state that the students (plus the teachers, support staff and administrators) are sinners. The simple fact is we are all sinners. But what is important to note is we can openly discuss our Catholic Faith with students in every corner of our schools. Students can hear about the love Jesus gives freely to them throughout the entire school day. While proclaiming Christ’s love to each student, our teachers openly pray for and with their students. And, because our schools are blessed with wonderful priests, all Catholics in our Catholic schools have the opportunity to receive the sacrament of reconciliation. I agree with Bishop Callahan: Catholic schools are schools of redeemed sinners.
Thank you to all our Catholic school teachers, counselors, support staff and administrators for bringing the message of forgiveness and love from our Father and His Son.
Thomas Reichenbacher
Superintendent of the Office for Catholic Schools
Published in the January/February 2024 issue of Catholic Life Magazine