Wisdom from... Elizabeth Ann Seton

This week we celebrate our Catholic schools with Catholic Schools Week, and in doing so we remember the patroness of Catholic Schools, Elizabeth Ann Seton, who founded the first Catholic school in America in Emmitsburg, MD.

In the words of St Elizabeth Ann Seton,

"The first end I propose in our daily work is to do the will of God; secondly, to do it in the manner he wills it; and thirdly to do it because it is his will."

I think Catholic schools teach this as their first lesson. Students of Catholic Schools uniquely learn that the daily work they undergo--whether it be science, english, or religion--is to God's glory. It is worth celebrating that we have such a strong network of Catholic Schools that teach children to do God's will, and to do their work in the way that God wills it be done.

Father Flynn, from St Mary's in Lynn, MA, came into Mass yesterday with a group of students from St Mary's high school, and gave a wonderful homily on discerning God's will. Check it out here, and, if you're a graduate of a Catholic school, take a moment to thank Elizabeth Ann Seton.

“School of Faith” to premiere in March on CatholicTV

Starting in March, CatholicTV will air a new series called “School of Faith”. The new show revolves around different dimensions of faith including vision, purpose, community, and surrender.

School of Faith is hosted by Frank DeVito. Frank currently works in education and studied philosophy and social science at Saint John’s Seminary College. He attended Gregorian University in Rome, Italy where he studied theology.

In each episode of School of Faith, DeVito shows how believers can allow God to transform their hearts and minds using vision, purpose, community, and surrender. Since Frank’s background is in education, the show is set in a virtual classroom to teach how to deepen viewers’ understanding of God’s calling in their lives. Frank does this by following the model of Jesus; using cultural stories and symbols of the day to communicate the nature of faith.

Starting in March, School of Faith will air each week at the following times (Eastern) at CatholicTV.com and on CatholicTV: Tuesday 3:30 a.m., 8 p.m., Wednesday 3:30 p.m., Friday 12:30 p.m.& 11 p.m., and Sunday 10 p.m.

More on Frank Devito

Frank has extensive experience in public education. He co-founded two innovative high schools for at-risk students that utilized project-based curricula and assessments that were linked to professional internships (local hospitals, universities, law offices, and community/government agencies). As both a teacher and a school leader, he inspired Chelsea, Massachusetts students to graduate and move on to post-secondary education.

Frank also pursued doctoral studies in bilingual education (specializing in culture, language, and administration) at Boston University.

Catholic Students Will Fill the CatholicTV Studios During Catholic Schools Week

During the week of January 31-February 6, CatholicTV will host students from six different Catholic schools in honor of Catholic Schools Week.

During Catholic Schools Week, Catholic school and homeschooled students of many different ages will attend the live daily Mass at the CatholicTV studios and will serve as lectors and altar servers. In past years, students have made brief appearances on the live CatholicTV talk show “This is the Day” during Catholic Schools Week.

On January 26^th, Sr. Janet Eisner, SND, President of Emmanuel College, (a Catholic college in Boston) will be interviewed live on “This is the Day” at 10:30AM ET. Sister Janet will be joined by students from the school. On that same day, Father Stephen Boyle, Emmanuel’s Chaplain will preside at the televised daily Mass.

Catholic Schools Week is a joint project of the National Catholic Educational Association (NCEA) and the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB).

“Catholic Schools - Dividends for Life” is the theme selected for Catholic Schools Week 2010. According to Karen Ristau, NCEA president, “In these challenging times, the theme also reminds parents that the dividends of a Catholic school education—students prepared in faith, knowledge, morals and discipline—last a lifetime. There is no better way to invest in a child’s future—or the future of our world.”

CatholicTV produces and airs a catechetical game show called Wow: The CatholicTV Challenge (WOW). WOW is a children’s game show which energetically teaches viewers the Catholic faith. The show resembles the show Jeopardy!, yet has young contestants just like the show “Are You Smarter Than a 5^th Grader?” More information is available at http://www.CatholicTV.com/shows/default.aspx?seriesID=137