Bishop Smith named honorary chairman of Catholic Schools Week
July 29, 2019 at 12:37 p.m.
Mater Dei High School and St. Mary (Grammar) School, part of St. Mary Parish, New Monmouth, named Bishop John M. Smith their honorary chairperson for Catholic Schools Week and recognized him during a special Mass and luncheon Feb. 2.
Mary Jean Marsh, religious education director, spoke for the entire parish community – a capacity crowd of students, teachers, parents and staff – when she noted that Bishop Smith was being honored for his devotion to the youth of the diocese and of the world.
“Your connection with young people is a spectacle to behold, and that’s why we are honoring you,” Marsh stated when addressing Bishop Smith. She added, “Children know the difference between someone who just talks and someone who really ‘walks the walk.’ We are with you always wherever you go, and you in turn bring all of us – and our children – with you when you walk in the footsteps of Jesus.”
Paula Pilipovic, a senior at Mater Dei High School, presented Bishop Smith with a plaque recognizing his leadership. Addressing what he described as a “very special community,” Bishop Smith thanked them for the honor and quipped, “Usually you have to be dead to hear such great things!”
In his homily, Bishop Smith noted that they were gathering on the Feast of the Presentation – a particularly appropriate time to host Catholic Schools Week.
“On the second day of February, we celebrate the fact that Mary and Joseph first presented the Baby Jesus to God the Father. He was exalted and recognized as the Messiah. Catholic schools should be like this also and continue the Feast of the Presentation,” Bishop Smith said.
He explained that the only way to do that – and to be a true child of God – would be to acquire knowledge about him and with him. That process would yield a sense of self-discovery and identity through God.
“Knowledge always precedes love, and you must have that first in order to love somebody. When someone asks, you are a child of God. That’s your future and who you were destined to be through Baptism – in addition to other labels – and that’s what you all should be learning in Catholic schools,” Bishop Smith declared.
The bishop urged the students to be messengers of their faith. “You will be leaving here and going into a different world. You must know who you are and be willing to accept the role as messengers. Don’t be embarrassed by your faith. We pray our Catholic schools will tell us who we are, so we can in turn tell others who we are and be strong in our faith.”
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Mater Dei High School and St. Mary (Grammar) School, part of St. Mary Parish, New Monmouth, named Bishop John M. Smith their honorary chairperson for Catholic Schools Week and recognized him during a special Mass and luncheon Feb. 2.
Mary Jean Marsh, religious education director, spoke for the entire parish community – a capacity crowd of students, teachers, parents and staff – when she noted that Bishop Smith was being honored for his devotion to the youth of the diocese and of the world.
“Your connection with young people is a spectacle to behold, and that’s why we are honoring you,” Marsh stated when addressing Bishop Smith. She added, “Children know the difference between someone who just talks and someone who really ‘walks the walk.’ We are with you always wherever you go, and you in turn bring all of us – and our children – with you when you walk in the footsteps of Jesus.”
Paula Pilipovic, a senior at Mater Dei High School, presented Bishop Smith with a plaque recognizing his leadership. Addressing what he described as a “very special community,” Bishop Smith thanked them for the honor and quipped, “Usually you have to be dead to hear such great things!”
In his homily, Bishop Smith noted that they were gathering on the Feast of the Presentation – a particularly appropriate time to host Catholic Schools Week.
“On the second day of February, we celebrate the fact that Mary and Joseph first presented the Baby Jesus to God the Father. He was exalted and recognized as the Messiah. Catholic schools should be like this also and continue the Feast of the Presentation,” Bishop Smith said.
He explained that the only way to do that – and to be a true child of God – would be to acquire knowledge about him and with him. That process would yield a sense of self-discovery and identity through God.
“Knowledge always precedes love, and you must have that first in order to love somebody. When someone asks, you are a child of God. That’s your future and who you were destined to be through Baptism – in addition to other labels – and that’s what you all should be learning in Catholic schools,” Bishop Smith declared.
The bishop urged the students to be messengers of their faith. “You will be leaving here and going into a different world. You must know who you are and be willing to accept the role as messengers. Don’t be embarrassed by your faith. We pray our Catholic schools will tell us who we are, so we can in turn tell others who we are and be strong in our faith.”