Spiritual Toolbox Answer

The grade school we oversee in Milwaukee continues to minister to Catholic children, mostly from immigrant families. The grade school in Cleveland continues – but its mission has changed considerably over the years. It originally educated the children of Catholic immigrants from Eastern Europe. While there are some children still from Eastern Europe who attend, they are very few. Latino children, ostensibly Catholic, are beginning to attend. But other children from the inner-city are attending who have no background (and for most, no interest) in being Catholic. That parish, under Franciscan leadership, chose to engage the local neighborhood and, with the help of their former bishop, to redefine the mission of Catholic education. As Bp. Anthony Pilla stated, “We do not educate them because they are Catholic. We educate them because we are Catholic!”

The mission of this Catholic school, then, is to provide an alternative educational experience for children who might otherwise not have an opportunity for a good solid education. They openly share the Catholic faith and Catholic values with these children. And this is done as a mission of this Catholic parish in Cleveland, OH.