Dear DNU Catholic school families,
It appears we have achieved the impossible – we have reached the end of May during the wildest academic year of our lives! Not only have we gotten to this place, but we have done so with a fair amount of normal structure and routine, with the continuation of quality programming and reception of the sacraments. We have remained largely in person and, unlike our counterparts, have done so five days a week for the entire academic year. Sometimes that meant driving your kids to school or occasionally monitoring their progress during quarantine. Every day you were challenged to keep positive and proactive amid the many disappointments. You deserve more than a mere, thank you, but it’s what I’ve got. Sincerely, thank you, families!
Staff Appreciation
The first week of the month of May is dedicated nationally to teacher/staff appreciation. A week of gifts and cards would never prove adequate to express gratitude for the staff of each of our diocesan schools. They were tasked with learning new technology, coping with a revolving door of quarantined students, monitoring their own and the students’ mental health . . . . And yet they kept their students learning and happy. We are blessed to have men and women of faith who model that for our students – at all times--but especially during the infamous pandemic year.
Please do what you can to also thank the fearless leaders – our principals and pastors. They had to make hard decisions and share disappointing news. But they did so with courage and grace, true examples of holy disciples of Jesus. We are fortunate to have such passionate and compassionate leaders.
Back to Mass
A couple of weeks ago, Governor Walz lifted the mandate for masks. Before long, a sense of “normalcy” will return as we work toward 70% of Minnesotans being vaccinated which will allow us to return to business as usual. With this comes the anticipated lifting of the dispensation and full return to Mass. Though many returned to Mass months ago, there are still some who may need encouragement and/or an invitation. Each Sunday, as I see the numbers grow in my parish, I grow in appreciation of our community of faith.
The pandemic has undoubtedly created empty spaces in our pews, but if we’re honest, there was plenty of space before the pandemic. As the dispensation is lifted in the months ahead, I ask you to join me in reaching out to those you have not seen at Mass in a while. Reach out with a personal invitation, join a group that is planning a Back to Mass celebration, and continue to pray for the Holy Spirit to enliven our Church. May we be reminded of our call to be joyful witnesses to the Gospel and thereby draw others to Christ.
School Choice Advocacy
These are important days in the legislature with bills on the table reflecting school choice. In our Catholic schools, we are hoping to pass bills for education savings accounts and/or education tax credits. These bills have the potential to remove some of the financial barriers that families face and provide them with greater opportunities to choose the school that can best meet their needs. Our Catholic schools have provided in-person instruction all year, and had school choice been in place, that option would have been available for far more students.
You can contact your legislators very simply by using this link, and I urge you to act quickly.
https://oneclickpolitics.global.ssl.fastly.net/messages/edit?promo_id=13101
Summer Blessings
I wish you all a blessed, healthy, and memorable summer. Please continue to support your school and do what you can to be an advocate as you share the memorable moments of 2020-2021 with friends and family. Remember that our families are our best marketers!
As you take time to travel this summer, you can find local Sunday Mass celebrations at www.masstimes.org. I encourage you to visit a new church or check out a shrine on your summer trips. You are our children’s first and most important teachers, and I trust that the lessons of faith will continue at home during the summer holiday.
Again, my sincerest thanks to all school pastors, leaders, staff, and families for making each day count during the 2020-2021 academic year. I am quite sure, as Paul’s letter to Timothy says, you have fought the good fight, finished the race, and kept the faith (2 Timothy 4:7). I cannot wait to see what crown is coming in 2021-2022.
In Him,
Dr. Michelle Kramer
Office of Schools
Diocese of New Ulm