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Why Catholic? Meet Bishop Edward C. Malesic
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Catholic schools light up the world with faith, hope, love bishop says at Catholic Schools Week Mass

News of the Diocese

February 4, 2021

Catholic schools light up the world with faith, hope, love bishop says at Catholic Schools Week Mass
Catholic schools light up the world with faith, hope, love bishop says at Catholic Schools Week Mass
Catholic schools light up the world with faith, hope, love bishop says at Catholic Schools Week Mass
Catholic schools light up the world with faith, hope, love bishop says at Catholic Schools Week Mass
Catholic schools light up the world with faith, hope, love bishop says at Catholic Schools Week Mass
Catholic schools light up the world with faith, hope, love bishop says at Catholic Schools Week Mass
Catholic schools light up the world with faith, hope, love bishop says at Catholic Schools Week Mass
Catholic schools light up the world with faith, hope, love bishop says at Catholic Schools Week Mass
Catholic schools light up the world with faith, hope, love bishop says at Catholic Schools Week Mass
Catholic schools light up the world with faith, hope, love bishop says at Catholic Schools Week Mass
Catholic schools light up the world with faith, hope, love bishop says at Catholic Schools Week Mass
Catholic schools light up the world with faith, hope, love bishop says at Catholic Schools Week Mass
Catholic schools light up the world with faith, hope, love bishop says at Catholic Schools Week Mass
Catholic schools light up the world with faith, hope, love bishop says at Catholic Schools Week Mass
Catholic schools light up the world with faith, hope, love bishop says at Catholic Schools Week Mass

The fact that the annual diocesan Catholic Schools Week Mass fell on Dec. 2 – Candlemas Day – was not lost on Bishop Edward Malesic.

In fact, he used that as a launching point, connecting the lighting and blessing of the candles prior to the liturgy, his homily and the importance of Catholic schools and their mission of forming disciples “who will be a light to the world.” He also reminded everyone of the proverb that says it’s better to light one candle than to curse the darkness.

About 150 representatives of the diocesan educational community attended the Mass in person, including students, teachers and other diocesan education leaders. There were about 1,900 additional live views and 350 recorded the livestreamed Mass, which is a highlight of Catholic Schools Week, celebrated Jan. 31 to Feb. 7 this year.

Those attending the liturgy in person followed safety guidelines imposed by the pandemic, including wearing face masks and observing social distancing.

The bishop noted that everyone is weary of the pandemic. However, “Sometimes we need to use what we have, and be thankful for what we have, rather than to grumble about what we don’t have. We have a pandemic that we can complain about, but we have kept our Catholic schools open. The first day after our schools were closed early last year to in-person learning, most of our Catholic schools were up and running by virtual instruction. And in August, we were able to open them up again to in-person, virtual, or hybrid learning. Our schools got the job done,” he said.

“Less complaining and more doing might be the motto for our Catholic schools,” he added.

Reflecting on the candles and light, Bishop Malesic noted that the Easter Vigil, when new Catholics are received into the Church, takes place in the dark. A fire is lit to witness to the world that we have hope; it is a light to Jesus, he said.

The fire carefully is brought into the dark church and as the faithful enter, they light candles from the flame on the paschal candle. “The light of Christ literally fills this entire place,” the bishop said.

God started a fire when he sent Jesus to the world. He said we should think of ourselves as unlighted candles at birth. At baptism, parents receive the light of Christ on behalf of their children so their light started to shine like the candles that are lit at the Easter Vigil.

There are scary things happening in the world, the bishop said, including the pandemic, people expressing anger through violence and online bullies. “We all have dark days,” he said

“You are candles in the darkness stirred into flame to be light for the world, but remember the light you bring is not your own. It is the fire of Christ who lives in you and wants to burn bright in you.”

The world us hungering for the news we have: that Jesus is alive and wants to save us. “This is a message that is reinforced in our Catholic schools: Jesus lives,” the bishop said. “Now is the time to use what you have learned about Jesus and light up the world with faith, with hope and with love. Do it for him because he did it for you.”

Bishop Malesic told the group he is proud of them. “We are all proud of you. You lighted up the way during a very difficult time. I am grateful for your courage,” he said, noting that Catholic schools were open – including many with in-person learning -- while other schools were closed. “And those who went to hybrid or all-virtual models, I applaud your creativity and your commitment, too. We are all tired of this pandemic and we pray for things to be normal again. But I ask all of you to pray for better than normal. May we be better for having survived the last year. May we be stronger, more prayerful, more respectful of the fragility of life and more appreciative of one another,” he said. “Let’s appreciate those touches that make us more human.”

Catholic schools are needed more than ever right now, the bishop said, pointing out that “our young people swim in a toxic culture.” Sometimes they swim in it for so long that they don’t recognize the poison around them.

“We need to show them a different way – the way of Christ. We must be unabashedly Catholic in what we teach, how we teach it and how we live what we believe. Catholic schools are the greatest youth ministry we have in our diocese,” the bishop said. Aside from forming disciples who will be a light to the world, the purpose of a Catholic education is to make saints for God.

He urged students to pay attention in class and to pay attention to Jesus, who wants to shine in them. “Let your teachers and parents pass on the faith to you so that you will not be a candle without a flame. What good is a candle that doesn’t burn?”

When he looks at them, Bishop Malesic said he sees “God’s children, sons and daughters, who are ready to use the gifts that God has given to you. You are ready to shine.”

After Mass, he thanked all who made it possible for schools to open, students for following direction from school staff, those in religious life who help in the schools and parents who sacrifice to send their children to Catholic schools.

He said it’s important to keep Catholic schools strong for the future because Catholic education focuses on the mind, body and most importantly, the soul.

“What we can’t do alone, we can do together. And what you did during this pandemic was a testimony to the family atmosphere of our schools. Each school is like a family that helps each person in the family succeed. We did it together. And we know that God helped us along the w

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