As a young boy growing up, there were three words I dreaded to hear once August rolled around: “Back to School!”

I loved summer vacation and never was bored. Just the opportunity to be outside all day long was the best. Swimming, going to the shore, cutting grass, hiking in the woods, riding my bike, making “doing nothing” look like “doing something” – these were my only cares in the world at the time.

And, of course, picnics, cookouts, hearing my Mom talk about fresh Jersey tomatoes and corn, making ice cream with my cousins, all these things added to the summer fun. And then came August! And with the feast of the Assumption, I knew it was only a matter of time before my brothers and I went ... “Back to School.”

For some reason, my parents didn’t share my reluctance for our return. I don’t know why! I mean, after all, what parents wouldn’t enjoy their children at home 24/7, non-stop, for three months?

But, the day finally arrived and the big, old yellow bus showed up again to cart us off to the parish school. I must confess, once I arrived and saw everybody in my class again, I did feel happy. I kind of missed them, really. And the nuns! They seemed glad to see us all back. Before long, the “three Rs plus one” – “reading, ‘riting, ‘rithmetic and religion” were front and center again. It wasn’t so bad after all.

When you think back on those years, the memories for most of us in the parish school are good ones. The times are very different now, for sure, but being a kid is still a “great adventure.” Most of us are “no worse for the wear,” despite all our jokes and stories about growing up Catholic. Life was simpler then. But it doesn’t have to be that complex now.

Kids go “Back to School” to learn the “three Rs plus one.” They also go back to learn how to relate to one another, how to live in a fast-paced world, how to move forward and grow, how to become good, responsible citizens and, hopefully, how to contribute and make a difference in society...if we encourage them; if we support them; if we let them.

And while the world tells them and us that science and math and technology are the most important things — and they are hugely important along with languages and literature — those of us who are Catholic need to remember the “plus one” in the educational equation: religion.

Catholic school provides education in the Catholic faith and religion, education in our Catholic values, education in how Catholics should look at the world around us, education in what it means to be and live as a Catholic. For those who go to Catholic school, the “plus one” factor is well worth the sacrifice. For those who do not go to Catholic school, the “plus one”comes through the parish and its religious education program, also well worth the effort.

Our Catholic faith is not simply a matter of feeing good or doing good, as valuable and as important as those things are. Our Catholic faith is first and foremost a matter of learning and knowing good ... learning and knowing whom and where it comes from: God, our Creator, in and through the Church. The feeling good and doing good will only be right if they come from here. “Plus one” has to be part of going “Back to School.” Without it, something essential is missing and no amount of reading or ‘riting or ‘rithmetic or science or technology will fill the void.

So, here I sit remembering going “Back to School” with a smile on my face. Why? Because my school days are long over. But I still hate to see the summer end ... and I still count the days till Christmas break!