During his Sept. 25 visit to St. Brendan School in North Olmsted, Bishop Edward Malesic congratulated the faculty, staff and students for their efforts in adopting a classical Catholic education model at the school.
“I want to congratulate all of you for doing something new in our diocese,” he said. “You are the first school in our diocese using a classical Catholic education approach and I am excited about that.”
St. Brendan School has been working for more than a year to be “Different by Design” as it launched the new education model. The bishop said he was familiar with the classical approach to Catholic education since he encountered it at an elementary school in Latrobe, Pennsylvania during his time as bishop of Greensburg, Pennsylvania before he was assigned to shepherd the Cleveland Diocese.
“I was impressed with what the students could do when I visited them,” he said. “More than that, they were rooted in their faith. They were given every opportunity to encounter Jesus, who is alive and wants to come to us. They knew the teachings of the Church, not watered down, but fully presented. Take every opportunity to grow up to be mature men and women of the Church and in the world. I’m excited for all of you and know that you will do great things here.”
The bishop said he was aware that St. Brendan also launched Frassati Academy. He noted that Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati was a great role model for them. “I hope you take to heart his values of friendship, service, prayer and adventure. Stay close to each other, serve those most in need, pray often and have fun along the way.”
In addition to visiting the school, Bishop Malesic celebrated a Mass of the Holy Spirit to kick off the new school year and the new classical education model. He noted that for some students, the new year means new teachers, classrooms, classmates and more if they were new to the school. However, for others, although they returned to something familiar, they still will have new friends to make, new things to learn and more.
“And all of us can work on our relationship with Jesus, who wants to be our best friend. Make Jesus your best friend and you will never regret it. Renew your friendship with God. Isn’t that why we have a Catholic school after all?” he asked.
The bishop encouraged the students to take advantage of every opportunity to grow up to be mature men and women of the Church and the world, noting that God blesses them with the ability to learn and then they grow in understanding of God’s wonderful world.
He cautioned them that they need to do more than just educate the mind in class or to strengthen the body through sports and gym class. “We also need to fill our souls with the Holy Spirit because no one can say ‘Jesus is Lord’ without the Holy Spirit. It is the Holy Spirit who teaches us to be the people of love, following the example of Jesus, our Lord. He wants to love you into being saints.”
Bishop Malesic told the students God wants them to be saints. He advised them “to practice being holy” by attending Mass or the church where they worship. “Practice being kind to one another. The best anti-bullying program any school has is the Gospel. In the Gospel, Jesus told us to love each other as he has loved us.”
He also said they should give their all to Jesus, including this day and the year. “Give yourself to Jesus who gave himself to you. And then remember, if you learn how to love Jesus, it will be easier for you to know how to love each other.”
Using some practical examples, the bishop said if students see someone sitting alone in the cafeteria, they could offer to sit next to the other student. If a classmate is having a bad day, they could try and cheer up the person. And if someone is sick, they could pray for that person. He also suggested they should ask the Holy Spirit how they can love their parents, brothers, sisters and classmates more as well as how they can be the best student for their teachers, the best on the field and fair in sports.
“Ask the Holy Spirit, ‘Help me be the best follower of Jesus’ and the Holy Spirit will show you the way,” he added.
Referring to the Gospel, the bishop said Jesus sent his followers out on a mission – but he told them not to go alone. “Always know that you are not alone. You are a school – a family of believers. You go together. Then, know that Jesus is sending you. He sends you to your families, to your neighborhoods, to other friends to be his witnesses. Always make sure you are a good example to others,” he said, adding, “Don’t worry. Jesus will take care of you … Go where Jesus sends you. Take his message of love with you when you go and trust in Jesus. If you do that, you will be doing God’s will.”
After Mass, the bishop – accompanied by St. Brendan pastor Father Tom Woost, Julie Onacila, St. Brendan School principal, and Vincent DeLuca, head of school -- visited several classrooms. Students had a chance to ask the bishop questions, and he gave them a blessing.