The Secret is Love
This is a happy little article about the beauty of Catholic Education. For your blog this weekend, I would like you to write a thank you note to your parents for giving you the privilege of attending a Catholic School. Read this article first, then write and give your parents the thank you note by Sunday at 1. Good luck. We will use the honor system, but remember, Jesus is watching!
Do me a favor. Post me a note and tell me what your parents reaction was to the letter. If they did not have a reaction, you can say that too.
ReplyDeleteDear Mom and Dad,
ReplyDeleteIf it was not for your sacrifices, I would not be who I am today. I understand that it cannot be easy to send five children to a Catholic school; yet, you somehow manage to do that. It is unbelievable. It truly shows how much you love me. You sacrifice money and time so that I may attend a school where God is first, and Jesus is welcomed in the hallways and classrooms. It demonstrates not only your love for me, but your love for God, as well.
I read an article that mentions that Catholic schools often have rights to promote the success of their students. Of course, it is not the main focus, but it is definitely a bonus. Thanks to you, I am succeeding not only in my academic life, but in my extracurricular activities and social life. It is amazing how many teachers and coaches want to see me do my best. Their love and care for every individual student are stunning. I put forth my best effort in almost everything I do in order to not only make my teachers and coaches proud, but you, my parents, as well. If you sacrifice so much, it is only fair that I do the same.
Your sacrifices and decision to send me to a Catholic school have formed my life. I have been surrounded by love since day one. You have always been there for me, always willing to talk to me or comfort me, and you have been the greatest role models in my life. You are wonderful people to model my life after. I honestly want my marriage, my family, and my religious life to be like yours. I am honored to be your daughter. I want to send my children to a Catholic school, just as you do. I realize the tuition is expensive, but it is all worth it. God is worth it.
I want to thank you for all of the sacrifices that you have performed on my behalf. I am so grateful that I have the opportunity to attend a Catholic school. I enjoy it so much that, as you know, I have decided to enroll in a Catholic college. It means the world to me. I am loved. I am loved by teachers, coaches, fellow students, my band director, and God. And of course, I am loved by you. Thank you, Mom and Dad. I love you too.
With love,
Rachel
I laid the letter on my parents' bed. My mom found it first and gave me a big hug and kiss. She said "thank you" and that it was "very sweet". We exchanged an "I love you" and I told her I meant it. My dad said, "Thanks for the letter, Rachel." Haha!
DeleteDear Mom and Dad,
ReplyDeleteThank you for sending me to a Catholic school. I may not always say it and I may complain quite a bit, but really do appreciate all of the sacrifices that you make in order to send me to a Catholic school. It may be easier to send your kid to a public school, but you must have thought that I was special enough to deserve more from my education. Thanks for that. At ECC i feel like I belong to a great community of students that genuinely care about their classmates.
I also want to thank you for the great opportunity that you have provided for me by allowing Jesus to be a central part of my education. Having faith in my education allows me to look at the world through a positive set of morals and beliefs. The kids at public schools don't really get to do that. I really do love being able to say that I have theology and ever so slowly I am starting to learn more and more about God. This is a great experience, and I learn so much from it.
Last, but not least, I want to thank you for the opportunity to succeed. This may seem possible at any high school, but with a Catholic school it is different. We are small school so my teachers get the chance to actually come to know me. I am not just a number or some kid in class that the teachers have never met. At ECC they have helped me develop my strengths and avoid my weaknesses. This will not only make me a better college student, but a better employee some day.
Thank you so much for everything that you have done. I love you.
With much love,
Megan
I gave the letter to my mom because my dad wasn't home. She did not have much reaction to it, but she did ask me if I really did think that it made a difference that I went to a Catholic school.
ReplyDeleteDear Mom and Dad,
ReplyDeleteI would like to take this opportunity to thank for the gift of my Catholic education. I know how much you have sacrificed for me to attend Elk County Catholic. I have always attended a catholic school so I really don't know what it would be like to attend a public school. However, I do know that it isn't the same. I know that I would not get the individual attention that I have received while attending a catholic school. This means so much to because it has allowed me to grow and develop into my faith and the woman that I am becoming.
I realize that the main reason that I wanted to continue to go to a catholic school after fifth grade was mainly because that was where all of my friends were going. I realize that this was not really a valid reason now, but at the time it seemed like the only reason. Now, looking back I realize that a catholic education is much more than just going were your friends go. I know that you saw the value in a Catholic education those many years ago and that is why you agreed to send me to the Catholic Middle School.
I cannot express my gratitude enough for this amazing gift. I know that I am sometimes very ungrateful. I cannot express my appreciation enough for this education. With this education I have grown so much and I have also learned so much from Elk County Catholic. Thank you so much, now that I am older I know that you have sacrificed so much for me and you must see great value in a Catholic education otherwise you would not have paid so much money for me to attend a catholic school.
Love you and Thank you,
Michaela
So I gave the note to my parents. They thought that it was a very nice letter. They were glad that I appreciate all of the sacrifices that they have made for me to have a good education.
ReplyDeleteDearest, darlingest, Momsie and Popsicle,
ReplyDeleteI know I hate school. You know I hate school. I sometimes think you hate school just as much as I do which is nice because, hey, misery loves company. But I think we are all in agreement that I actually really love MY school. As a place, as an institution, and as a home.
I will be eternally in your debt for allowing me the choice of which school to attend, that is a freedom I am still so happy I had. You showed no biased during the process and I made my choice, and I'm so happy with the choice I made.
My catholic education has taught the valuable skill of balancing. Not only have I learned to balance my plethora of extracurriculars with school work, but I have also learned how to balance God with the hustle and bustles of everyday life. I feel like individuals who have not had the opportunity to really integrate God into their daily lives as catholic school kids have put a border around the two. God and school, or God and work become two entirely separate entities, when we are supposed to keep God present in every component of our lives. This is perhaps the most life-long lesson I will take away form the catholic school system experience. I feel it is perhaps one of the greatest lessons to learn in life and I KNOW I would not have come to realize this without your generosity in allowing me to attend the school I chose.
I am so grateful that you loved me enough to move mountains just to let me attend both St. Leo and ECC. I know it wasn't easy and I really hope I made you, and continue to make you proud of what I have achieved there. It's the least I can do.
In both schools I have been in love with my teachers. I am confident in the quality of my education, but I have additionally come to love my teachers simply for the people they are and the genuine love and concern I receive from them. I have never felt disrespected or ignored by a member of the faculty. They are my teachers, and though I may get frustrated with them from time to time, I know they really care. That much is evident. I get to feel loved not only when I am at home with you guys, but when I am off at school to. It makes getting through the day that much more enjoyable.
I may hate school, but you and I both know that disdain is rooted much more in my own personal, self-induced pressure then it is the place I go. Because I believe the only reason I can get through these places with any amount of grace is because of the wonderful people who have touched my life there and have taught me to love God and others through their love of me.
I don't think I could ever thank you enough for sending me through the catholic school system. Though I am excited about moving on to a bigger and more diverse college campus, I feel much more confident in my abilities to stay true to myself there because of what my years in these schools has taught me.
I love you more then you could ever know.
Danielle
I gave it to my mom and she thought that it was very nice and also asked if I really feel that way. Which I do.
ReplyDelete