Each age in history has opportunities cloaked as challenges.

In the 1920s, immigrants yearned to live their faith freely and openly. With limited personal resources, but with drive, determination and a belief in what could be, they built Catholic schools beside parish churches to educate children and to pass on the faith. That which they treasured became a lived reality.

The Catholic faith continues to provide the foundational element in Catholic schools. Working through the web of the economic realities, however, Catholics face the challenge/opportunity of identifying the resources that will sustain Catholic schools.

Our schools and students have been blessed to know the support of parishes without schools that provide funding used for tuition assistance so that Catholic education is a reality.

Each year, $600,000 has been awarded to families of children attending elementary schools and an additional $600,000 has been awarded to families with students in high schools to assuage the financial demands of educating their children.

Our schools and families have been blessed to know the support of pastors and parishes with schools that provide resources to support Catholic education in excess of $7 million among the 36 elementary schools.

With the 2011 Bishop’s Annual Appeal, Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., has highlighted Catholic education as a primary focus to support families and schools. The pastoral and lay leadership have embraced this cause with a positive, can-do spirit that awaits results yet to be realized. Catholic schools continue to receive many blessings.

The power of the human spirit to get behind something it strongly believes in knows no compromise. Such was the case last year when Incarnation­-St. James School, Ewing, avoided closure because of the resolve of the pastor, parents and parishioners to work collaboratively to confront the challenge at hand. In less than a year, over $310,000 has been raised to support Incarnation-St. James School and to provide an exceptional education rooted in the faith. A vision, a belief, a plan, focused efforts, work, toil – the end result ….the realization of the dream.

Incarnation-St. James School is a prime example of a community that values Catholic education and expends exceptional commitment to continue to bring the dream to reality. It is the resolve and commitment of the people that brings a desired vision to reality.

The education received in Catholic schools makes a difference in the lives of students. In 2010, graduates from eight high schools were offered scholarships and grants in excess of $80 million.

Doors open to graduates of our Catholic schools. Graduates in the Diocese of Trenton succeed and contribute to society. Diocesan graduates who have embraced leadership in the Church include Bishop Emeritus John C. Reiss, Msgr. Joseph N. Rosie, chancellor of the diocese, Msgr. Richard Tofani, director of the diocese’s Pontifical Mission Society and a host of pastors, priests and religious.

Graduates contribute in a variety of other realms: Brigadier General (Guy M. Walsh), Chief Technology Officer for White House Communication (Christopher Roth), Retired Superior Court Judge, (Mary Ann Bielamowicz), Monmouth County Sherriff (Shaun Golden), composer and musical director of the 81st Academy Award (Michael Giacchino), Hollywood writer (Patrick Clifton), outfielder for the Boston Red Sox (Ryan Kalish), Running back for the Indianapolis Colts (Don Brown).

School archives abound with names of graduates who have contributed to the arts, education, the sciences, business, the medical field, research.

All Catholic elementary and secondary schools in the diocese are Middle States accredited. St. Ann School in Lawrenceville was recognized in 2010 by the U.S. Department of Education as a Blue Ribbon School of Excellence. Schools have award winning choirs. In December, three Catholic schools were among the four finalists in the NJ 101.5 FM Christmas Concert Contest with Red Bank Catholic receiving the grand prize and St. Benedict School recognized as the elementary school winner.

Schools focus on 21st century learning and incorporate critical thinking and technology into all aspects of the curriculum. Advanced placement classes, honors classes, service to the community, athletic competition and achievement are areas reflecting the ever-evolving educational opportunities.

The faith-filled foundation, the philosophy and academic rigor of Catholic schools provide an environment for the expression of dreams to be realized. Catholic schools make a difference in the lives of students, in the Church, in the community, in our global society.

It is with confidence and faith that the 2011 Bishop’s Annual Appeal unfolds and realizes donations reflecting an overflow of generosity to benefit tomorrow’s leaders and visionaries. Today’s challenges provide the palette for creative solutions. As the community works together, all things are possible.