From the Archives
By Mary Woodward
When I think back about my 12 years in the Jackson Public Schools, I remember the many classmates and teachers who were a part of my education. I began the first grade when JPS implemented integration completely.
In the third grade, Harry Reasoner of 60 Minutes visited my classroom at Power Elementary. His crew filmed us all morning and he talked to us about integration and how well it was going in JPS. Apparently, we were a model school district because people from around the world would visit to see how we did it. I guess people were expecting riots as in previous situations, but that did not happen. [We did have the occasional bomb threat, but that allowed us to go outside and run around for an hour while the school got looked over.] And so, we got to meet Harry Reasoner, and our classroom was showcased on a national broadcast for a total of 15 seconds.

The last week of January our diocese celebrated Catholic Schools Week in unison with dioceses all over the country. Each school has special activities which were highlighted in Mississippi Catholic’s last issue. The week highlights all the wonderful educational and growth opportunities available in our Catholic schools.
I received a quality education in JPS, and I learned much about academic topics as well as how to thrive in a diverse environment, but one thing that was lacking was faith formation. Outside of the history teacher who taught Moses and the 10 Amendments to some of my classmates, and my eighth-grade teacher who made us read bible stories on Fridays, the public schools did not offer faith-centered curriculum. That was for Sunday or Saturday, whatever your faith tradition might be.
The uniqueness of our Catholic schools is the curriculum incorporates a grounding in Christian values that reflect the rich tradition of our church. The very atmosphere of a Catholic school exudes an essence of faith, hope and love, which happens to be this year’s theme for our Catholic schools.
Very early in the history of our diocese, the bishops established Catholic schools and other educational opportunities for the local communities. Our first bishop, John Joseph Chanche, established a school for slave children in the basement of the church. So, Catholic faith-based education has deep roots in our state.
Those who serve in our Catholic schools as principals, teachers, administrators, counsellors, maintenance workers, cafeteria personnel, etc. are all a part of passing on our beautiful faith in an atmosphere of respect and learning. And those serving in our Office of Catholic Education (OCE) at the diocesan level – Karla Luke, executive director, Virginia Hollingsworth, director of curriculum, and Rachel Patterson, administrative assistant – are true heroes of faith-based learning who support and inspire our school personnel to form our young people.
This week the OCE hosted its annual retreat and development for Catholic school principals from around the diocese. The retreat, directed by Dr. Fran Lavelle, director of the diocesan faith formation office, was held in Mobile, Ala. The Catholic Schools Office for the Archdiocese of Mobile arranged visits to several of their schools for our administrators.
I tagged along to recommend various sites to see and restaurants to enjoy plus host a breakfast for them on the last day. I was so impressed by the spirit and camaraderie among these dedicated individuals who have a passion for serving the church and working with young people and children. It takes a very special person to be a teacher and even more special to be a principal.
They have an awesome responsibility to be beacons of faith, hope and love in the midst of a sometimes chaotic climate. They must be pillars of strength when the world becomes big and scary. They deal with irate parents, state guidelines and bratty kids all while putting on the face of a compassionate leader and professional servant.
For all of you with children in our long-standing and historic Catholic schools system, how blessed you are to have such a nurturing environment for your children. Pray for the school and all who serve there selflessly so that your child can receive a well-rounded, faith-filled education designed to assist them in achieving their highest potential and growing into the person God called them to be.
That is an awesome responsibility to put on someone’s shoulders – to be a guide in God’s unfolding plan for another. So, to all those who were in Mobile this week, who have returned renewed in the noble mission of being a Catholic school principal, thank you! You are heroes of the faith, planting seeds of faith, hope and love in the hearts of our young people.

(Mary Woodward is Chancellor and Archivist for the Diocese of Jackson.)