“Never doubt that our children, teens and youth are looking to you to give meaning to their lives. They are seeking something deeper. Our role is not just to build up their minds, but also to form their souls.”
That was the message Bishop Edward Malesic delivered to leaders of Catholic elementary schools, high schools, Newman campus ministers, youth ministers/high school campus ministers, parish catechetical leaders and pastors who attended the annual Bishop’s Convocation Aug. 8 at St. Ambrose Parish in Brunswick. This year’s theme was “Sacred Witnesses of Hope,” which dovetails with the ongoing Jubilee Year of Hope.
(See photo gallery above.)
The day began with a keynote address from Julianne Stanz, an author, storyteller and well-known speaker who shared thoughts about Catholic education. Breakout sessions for each group of educators followed before the group convened for Mass in the church.
Father Bob Stec, St. Ambrose pastor, and several other priests who were attending the convocation concelebrated the Mass. The choir from St. Ambrose School led the music.
In his homily, the bishop reminded the educators that it is good to pause for prayer before beginning the new school year.
He also talked about the Diocesan Youth Council and how the teen members provide regular input to him. Recently, he asked them what one thing they thought he should pray for. Their answers included clarity for vocations, common sense, fulfillment/purpose in life, open hearts to the Lord’s call and good mentorship for teens.
“They want a future filled with hope and meaning,” he said, reminding the educators that young people look up to them. “The all-powerful God loved these young people into existence for a reason. They have a reason to be here and a place to fit in.”
The bishop also noted their ultimate role – as well as everyone else’s – is to be saints. “We shouldn’t be shy about this calling. We should bring a bit of heaven to earth and practice being saints,” he said, referring to Blessed Carlo Acutis, the Italian teenager who died of leukemia and will be canonized next month in Rome.
“God is always waiting for us in the Eucharist in a special way and you as formators are the laborers that God has sent into the vineyard … Ask the Lord to make you good witnesses and mentors.”
The convocation provided a day of professional development for more than 200 educational leaders from across the diocese.
Nearly 40,000 students are expected to return to classrooms throughout the eight-county Diocese of Cleveland by early September.