by Br. Raymond Penefort

Since they knew I had been a teacher in public and private schools for a number of years I was recently approached by some younger relatives who were trying to make a decision on school placement for their first kindergarten age child regarding morality and values. As I have responded to others, I directed their attention to an article on a study conducted under the Early Childhood Longitudinal Study for Educational Statistics Center, which was published in the Wall Street Journal on June 2nd, 2018, Opinion Section.

In it they found that children, in general, exhibited more self-discipline in Catholic Schools and that minority students in particular showed higher academic performance than those at nearby public schools.

Besides other points made, the study firmly cautioned not to underestimate the power of religion to positively influence a child's behavior. The authors further emphasize that religion isn't the only way to foster self-discipline but its effective compared to most of the alternatives in channeling youthful energy into productive self - control.

So teaching the Ten Commandments and the love God and neighbor is, as was once said "Not bad after all."

Final note: Even if not directly involved, take a raffle ticket, go to a bingo or just make a direct contribution to a Catholic School. It's good for the Country and the church.

by Sr. Mary Magdalene, OP
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I remember reading a book on Blessed Charles de Foucauld which had excerpts translated from the French language throughout. Occasionally, however, the author deliberately left words in French because he felt that their meaning was a bit weightier than if he had tried to find an equivalent word in English. Upon initial reading, I found myself stumbling over the sudden appearance of a French word set off in italics. But upon reading the footnote descriptor of its approximate meaning I came to appreciate that it took nearly a sentence or two to even attempt to flesh out what that little word in italics embodied in itself.

More recently, another author, in referring to the writings of St. Catherine of Sienna, left a phrase in its original Italian. Immediately I thought of my earlier experience and sensed that the phrase held more treasure than a simple translation to English might convey.
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So here I am turning the phrase Pazzo d’amore* over in my mind and my heart in an effort to reveal just a small portion of what St. Catherine might be trying to share.

Canonized on April 12, 1671 by Pope Clement X, Rose of Lima was the first person from the American continents to be sainted. 

A model of perseverance and fortitude, St. Rose of Lima joined the Third Order while living in seclusion at her family home after being forbidden to join the Dominican nuns by her father, who wished her to marry.