I got to do one of my favorite things today at Mass. I blessed our amazing Good Shepherd Catholic School teachers with a special blessing for the beginning of the school year. Although school officially began four weeks ago, now is the time reality is settling in: the workload demands of teaching students, family life demands, extracurricular activity demands, to name but a few. Now is the perfect time for a boost: a blessing for renewed zeal, focus and joy!

     I blessed them at the Tuesday morning school Mass with students and parishioners present. The students clapped for them afterwards. Teaching at a Catholic school is not a job; it is a vocation. It is a special calling from Jesus Himself to spread the good news of the Gospel and I have the highest respect for our teachers. They make so many sacrifices to teach in the Catholic school sector. I hope that the students will remember that Mass today was a little bit different. I hope that they will remember that the priest blessed their teachers and that the whole school applauded in pride and recognition. It was a great way to start the day!

Written by: Father Lance W. Harlow

Date Published: Sept. 19, 2023