Catholic schools throughout the United States will celebrate the work they do during Catholic Schools Week January 27-February 2, an event that has been taking place for about 30 years.
The theme this year is “Catholic schools raise the standards.” I feel these schools produce students strongly dedicated to their faith, families and communities by providing an intellectually stimulating environment rich in spirituality, character and moral development.
We at St. Anastasia Knights of Columbus Council #5911 have seen this firsthand with the fine students of the former St. Anastasia Elementary school, now Divine Wisdom Catholic Academy in Douglaston. We have helped both schools with various fundraisers. You see, we realize these students are tomorrow’s leaders.
We even sponsor an essay contest every year that is directed to the eight grade class and is titled “The responsibility of a Catholic citizen in a free society.” We give out certificates to the three winners and reward them with a cash award and all those who participate receive certificates of merit from the Knights of Columbus. We have been doing this for many years now and found these children turning in quite impressive essays, which I believe is due in part to the dedicated and caring teachers who do their best to see these children become the best they can be.
I hope God helps us to continue to keep our Catholic schools vibrant and thriving, for these schools needs to stay open, for these children are our nation’s future.
Frederick R. Bedell Jr.
Glen Oaks Village
Editors note: Bedell is Grand Knight of St. Anastasia Knights of Columbus
