Tampa, Fla., Jan 23, 2009 / 05:46 pm (CNA).- In preparation for Catholic Schools Week, the bishops of Florida have released a statement recognizing the valuable social contributions made through the sacrifices of parents, students and Catholic educators.  Catholic Schools Week will take place January 25 – 31.

In a statement issued by the Florida bishops earlier this week, the prelates expressed their gratitude to Catholic educators “for their dedication, sacrifice and commitment to Catholic education in our state.”

The bishops specifically thanked parents for their financial sacrifices to ensure that their students would receive a Catholic education.  “We have confidence that this investment will allow their children to make important contributions as responsible citizens and leaders in our Church,” they wrote.

After recalling the service of “past generations of Catholics and Catholic school educators,” the bishops brought to light the work being done by administrators and teachers today.

“Today, the women and men who respond to Christ’s invitation to teach build upon that foundation with a renewal dedication and commitment. We are grateful to each of them for sharing not only their academic expertise with today’s youth, but also their faith by word and action, thus giving witness that the Catholic faith can be a lived reality in the world today. Theirs is truly a vocation of service to the Church. Like parents, they have made many sacrifices to teach in our schools.”

Dedicated Catholic teachers, the bishops pointed out, are playing “a vital role in the formation of future leaders in the Church, future priests and religious as well as an educated laity.”

The bishops concluded their letter by noting that Catholic schools are a blessing to the state, a “light to the nation and a rich resource to the Church.” 

During this upcoming week, “We celebrate their high standards of excellence and the quality of education available in Catholic elementary, secondary and special education schools, and give thanks for their many accomplishments and achievements. Truly, our Catholic schools are ‘the good news in education’.”

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