Bishop Urges Educators To Inspire...and Be Inspired

Reflecting on his recent journey to Poland to celebrate World Youth Day, Bishop Charles C. Thompson told more than 450 teachers and administrators to not only educate and inspire students, but also to allow themselves to be educated and inspired, and to proclaim God’s word.

“Mercy will keep us youthful,” Bishop Thompson said during the Aug. 3 Back to School Mass hosted by Evansville’s Holy Redeemer Parish. “Mercy is hospitable; it’s open to receive...in Krakow, they refer to themselves as the ‘City of Mercy.’ What would we say about the city of Evansville? What words would we use to describe ourselves?”

Educators from the Diocese of Evansville’s 26 Catholic schools participated in the Mass. The diocesan theme for the 2016-17 school year is “Catholic Schools: Educate. Inspire. Proclaim.”

The theme fits especially well during this Jubilee Year of Mercy. Bishop Thompson noted Pope Francis’ message to not only go out and take care of the disadvantaged, but to listen to them. “The poor, the vulnerable and the marginalized have something to teach us,” he said, quoting the Holy Father.

Bishop Thompson reminded representatives of diocesan parishes and schools that, as ministers of mercy, they cannot be afraid to leave their mark.  

“Don’t be afraid to leave your mark on the world,” Bishop Thompson said. “If you don’t, then others leave their mark. We as Catholics, as Christians, must leave our mark. You leave a mark on the young people entrusted to our care. What kind of mark will you leave? Because they in turn will go out and leave their mark.”

Dr. Sarah Wannemuehler, Director of Assessment and Early Field Experience at the University of Southern Indiana, spoke to teachers and administrators before Mass. Wannemuehler, who spent time as a student, teacher, and principal in the Catholic schools of Indiana, shared many humorous stories with an underlying message to love and pray for students.

Bishop Thompson alluded to Dr. Wannemuehler’s message, encouraging all to pray.

“We have an incredible diocese. We have an incredible school system.” he said. “As Dr. Wannemuehler shared, we must be people of prayer … praying for one another, praying for those entrusted to our care. Praying for the grace of God to keep us focused. If we provide that kind of witness, for whatever subject, whatever our field of education, keeping Christ as the center, we will have left an incredible mark. A mark we know as the Sign of the Cross.”

All diocesan Catholic schools have begun the 2016-17 school year