By: Rose O’Connor | Correspondent

Celebrating what stands at the heart of daily life – family representatives from Parent Teacher Associations around the diocese gathered in St. Gregory the Great Church, Hamilton Square, for Mass, followed by the 88th annual PTA conference entitled, “The Family: Gift and Commitment,” in Princeton Manor, Hamilton, Sept. 28.

Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., celebrated Mass, along with con-celebrants Father Douglas Freer, diocesan vicar of Catholic education; Father Ian Trammell, pastor, St. Gregory the Great; Msgr. Edward Arnister, episcopal vicar of Monmouth County and pastor of St. Rose Parish, Belmar, and Father Scott Shaffer, pastor, St. Joseph Parish, Toms River.

Recalling a slogan that was popular a number of years ago, Bishop O’Connell reminded the faithful that, “children live what they learn.”

“This is a point very much worth remembering. It involves both what we say and what we do ... what we say because of what we have been taught and know and have learned and the example we give as a result,” he said during his homily.

Bishop O’Connell acknowledged that the Church refers to parents as the first teachers of the faith and also recognized the importance of those who are entrusted with Catholic education.

“Children live what they learn,” he reiterated, “but if they are never taught faith by word and example at home, they will not learn and will not live it. And if we fail in the Catholic schools, they will never have a chance.”

Bishop O’Connell thanked the members of the PTA for the tremendous amount of responsibility they have in promoting the success of Catholic schools.

“We live in a complex world, with many things to distract us and compete for our attention, things that obscure our ability to hand on our faith ... Perhaps we don’t understand it and we are afraid to ask. Now put yourself in your children’s place.

Who will tell them? Who will teach them? How will they learn so that they might live?” the bishop asked.

“The answer is ... the Catholic school. And your support and dedication as members of the PTA will make all the difference so that, with your witness and example, with the faith that the Catholic school alone offers, our children will live what they learn.”

Elisabeth Landis, PTA president, in Our Lady of Sorrows School, Hamilton, reflected, “When you look around at all the fellow PTA members from across the diocese while sitting in Mass you can’t help but feel blessed to be part of such a wonderful group. I think it’s also important to hear firsthand what is going on within the diocese to help our schools increase enrollment, a crucial element” in keeping every school sustainable.

At the conference, Katherine Prihoda, Trenton Diocesan Council of Parent Teacher Associations president introduced the diocesan PTA council, saying, “We as a board value your presence with us here today,” The board includes Father Freer, JoAnn Tier, diocesan superintendent of Catholic schools and Sister of St. Joseph Dorothy Payne, board spiritual advisor and president of Trenton Catholic Academy, Hamilton.

“No organization could function without the supporting pillars- you serve as the supporting pillars of Catholic education,” Prihoda offered to those in attendance.

Father Kevin Kimtis, parochial vicar, St. Gregory the Great Parish, served as guest speaker of the conference, which focused on strengthening the role of the family as the domestic church.

“The Catholic schools partner with the parents as the first teachers of the faith,” Father Kimtis emphasized.

He asserted that when parents teach the faith to their children, faith becomes natural … “the background noise in life.”

Father Kimtis recalled that, in the apostolic exhortation Familiaris Consortio, Blessed John Paul ll referred to parents “as the visible sign of the very love of God.”

Tier was presented with a check for $7,000 to be used for scholarships for continuing education for teachers from the diocesan PTA board. She also outlined Bishop O’Connell’s pastoral essay on Catholic education which emphasized that Catholic schools need to be: passionately Catholic, academically excellent and financially sustainable.

Sister Dorothy was honored with the annual PTA yearbook dedication which recognized her “integrity, honor and humility,” and noted that she “has led that trail for many families as she worked so attentively with the students she has encountered, their families and the faculty and administrators that serve these families.”

“This organization is dear to my heart,” she said with emotion. “Without you the schools wouldn’t be around. Each day the joy that your children bring to us is a gift.”