Each year in January, the Church takes time to celebrate National Catholic Schools Week. Catholic schools have proven to be one of the most effective ways of handing on the Catholic faith to young people. Of course, the essential factor in handing the faith on to children is the family. Catholic schools and other programs, such as Parish Schools of Religion, can also be very effective, when there is strong faith coming from the home, (I did not go to Catholic schools, yet I learned my faith very effectively), but no method has shown the strength of Catholic schools.
   
In a Catholic school, religion is not just a matter for one hour per week. It is a class taken every day, having the same importance as math or science, etc. The entire atmosphere of a Catholic school includes the Catholic faith. Students attend Mass once a week, or more.
    
Although I did not attend Catholic school myself, I have been involved in Catholic schools throughout my priesthood. Being involved in them has been one of the great blessings of my life.
—Fr. Mike Comer