2020-21 academic year will have challenges, opportunities

By Archbishop Gregory Aymond

I’ve been in constant contact with Dr. RaeNell Houston, who is the executive director of Catholic Education and Faith Formation in the Archdiocese of New Orleans. Dr. Houston, in turn, has consulted very carefully with her staff as well as the principals and administrators of our 74 Catholic schools to determine how best to begin the 2020-21 academic year.

We know for sure that this academic year will be one of the most challenging years for Catholic education we have ever seen.

I applaud Dr. Houston and all those who have been a part of this very meticulous planning, which has as a primary goal keeping our children and families safe and protected.

I also applaud parents who have worked with their children since last March in ways they might never have imagined before the COVID-19 pandemic became a reality. For many parents, these months have been so challenging and have required so many sacrifices. I thank God for their vocation as Christian parents and for all they have done to help educate and form their children.

I’m aware that there are various options available through various schools. That diversity of options is, in fact, good because it shows that our individual principals know the needs of their students and their families.

I thank all of those who are involved in Catholic schools, as well as those who minister in our Parish Schools of Religion. These two entities provide education and Christian formation for our youth.

As an archdiocese, we are privileged to share with parents the responsibility of forming their children in the faith. We must always remember that parents are the first and the best teachers of their children in matters of faith.

Much planning has gone into the beginning of this year. I ask God for his abundant blessings upon all our school communities and upon our efforts to care for the children as Jesus did.

Questions for Archbishop Gregory Aymond may be sent to [email protected].