Leading Children from Wonder to Wisdom: Catholic Schools Week will be observed Jan. 26-Feb. 1

By Sheila Whalen

Wonder is the desire for knowledge,” said St. Thomas Aquinas. This foundational truth underpins the mission of Catholic schools as we guide students from wonder to wisdom during this Catholic Schools Week.

We are especially encouraged by the inclusion of our diocesan Catholic schools in Bishop Golka’s pastoral letter, Christ Our Hope. In his letter, he emphasizes, “The renewal and revitalization of our Catholic schools to meet the needs of our time continues to be a pastoral priority in the Diocese of Colorado Springs.”

This renewal is evident as our schools embrace the call of St. John Paul II, who urged: “A special effort should be made to strengthen the Catholic identity of schools, whose special character is based on an educational vision having its origin in the person of Christ and its roots in the teachings of the Gospel. Catholic schools must seek not only to impart a quality education from the technical and professional standpoint, but also and above all provide for the integral formation of the human person.”

To support this mission, diocesan and school leadership have provided teachers with professional development focused on their role in the Church’s mission to “form disciples” and “teach these disciples all that the Lord has commanded” (Mt 28:19-20). Catholic education requires a sacramental vision of the whole child, addressing their physical, emotional, intellectual, and spiritual dimensions.

In our schools, we intentionally create environments where children can explore their faith, ask questions, and engage with the mysteries of life in a loving and supportive setting. We honor the innocence and natural curiosity of our youngest learners by nurturing their sense of wonder. As St. Thomas Aquinas observed, this wonder fosters a thirst for knowledge that helps children better understand the seen and unseen world.

Through exploration, students gain knowledge — an intellectual grasp of facts, truths, and principles. Yet, knowledge alone does not lead to wisdom.

Wisdom requires a deeper understanding of moral and spiritual dimensions, enabling individuals to make decisions aligned with God’s will. While wisdom is a lifelong journey, Catholic schools lay the foundation by guiding children toward God and helping them discern His plan for their lives.

We must all learn to seek the Holy Spirit’s guidance in our thoughts and ideas. In the unique environment of Catholic schools, children are nurtured to grow from wonder, through knowledge, to wisdom.

Our success depends on faithful leadership and teachers committed to providing an authentically Catholic education rooted in the Catholic intellectual tradition. Together, we strive to nurture the soul of each child, fostering their intellect and cultivating the gifts God has given them. Each member of our Catholic school community embraces their role in the Church’s mission to form disciples.

May the Holy Spirit continue to guide and inspire us to fulfill this sacred work in our schools.

LIST OF OPEN HOUSES AT SCHOOLS

Ave Maria – Tuesday January 28; 9 a.m.-2 p.m.

Corpus Christi – Saturday February 1; 3-4:30 p.m.

Divine Redeemer – Sunday January 26; after both 8 a.m. and 11 a.m. Masses for families, parishioners, and alumni to celebrate the school

Holy Apostles – Sunday January 26; 10-11 a.m.

Pax Christi – Sunday January 26

St. Gabriel – Saturday February 1; 10 a.m.-12 p.m. for prospective families, after all weekend Masses for parishioners

St. Paul – Sunday January 26; 9-10 a.m.

St. Peter – Sunday January 26; after 10:30 a.m. Mass

(Sheila Whalen is Superintendent of Schools for the Diocese of Colorado Springs.)