FAITH IN EDUCATION
By Karla Luke
The Catholic Schools and Early Learning Centers in the Diocese of Jackson are eagerly gearing up for the renewal of their accreditation with Cognia, an esteemed accrediting body for K-12 institutions in the U.S. and globally. Since 2019, the Office of Catholic Education (OCE) has held system-wide accreditation for all Catholic schools within the diocese, a commitment that has prompted notable growth and advancements across the system. Now, as renewal approaches, school leaders are ready to showcase their developments in educational excellence and student-centered progress.

Cognia’s legacy of accreditation excellence
Cognia, formerly known as AdvancED, is a nonprofit that accredits schools with a focus on continuous improvement. Founded in 2006, Cognia brought together the pre-college divisions of two major accreditation groups: the North Central Association’s Commission on Accreditation and School Improvement (NCA CASI) and the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Accreditation and School Improvement (SACS CASI). Following further expansions, including a merger with Measured Progress in 2018, Cognia emerged as a leading accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in 2019.

The Diocese of Jackson’s journey with Cognia builds upon a longstanding relationship with its predecessor, SACS CASI. Since 1975, schools like Vicksburg Catholic Schools, St. Joseph Madison, and Cathedral Natchez have held SACS accreditation. By 2020, all remaining schools in the diocese had secured full system accreditation, further solidifying their commitment to academic and spiritual growth.

Why Cognia? Focusing on Systemic Growth Over Compliance
Choosing Cognia for system-wide accreditation allows the diocese to emphasize continuous improvement, focusing not just on meeting standards but on showing how those standards drive real change. Unlike some accrediting bodies that prioritize compliance, Cognia’s approach is student-centered, emphasizing learning engagement, school culture, student development, and strong leadership that fosters a culture of achievement. Cognia’s platform also equips the OCE with tools like professional development resources, assessments and strategic planning aids that are crucial for making well-informed decisions.

The renewal process for Cognia accreditation involves in-depth reviews in seven essential areas: Culture of Learning, Leadership for Learning, Engagement in Learning, Student Growth, Student Performance, Stakeholder Analysis, and Learning Environment. The OCE Accreditation Leadership Team – led by Karla Luke (OCE), Dr. Dena Kinsey (St. Joseph-Madison), Mary Arledge (Vicksburg Catholic Schools), Kimberly Burkley (Cathedral Catholic School), Rachel Patterson (OCE) and Virginia Hollingsworth (OCE) – recently presented on Oct. 15, a detailed executive summary to Dr. Michael Bratcher, Cognia’s regional accreditation advisor, outlining the diocese’s mission, vision, values and accomplishments.

Since the initial accreditation, the diocese has launched numerous initiatives, including a three-year strategic plan, enhanced academic standards, strengthened assessment programming, and the opening of two new early learning centers in Vicksburg (Sisters of Mercy) and Jackson (St. Richard). Feedback gathered from focus groups held on Oct. 22 and 24, highlighted both achievements, such as improved Catholic identity, responsive teaching practices, and communication improvements, and areas for growth, like expanded parent education and ongoing opportunities for feedback.

Continuing a tradition of faith and excellence
As the Diocese of Jackson moves forward in its accreditation renewal, the commitment to fostering a Christ-centered, academically excellent environment remains unwavering. Through the dedication of faculty, staff and administrators, the OCE is assisting by cultivating lifelong learners, effective communicators, and collaborative contributors to society, all rooted in their faith.
Blessings in faith, hope and love.

(Karla Luke is the executive director of Catholic Schools for the Diocese of Jackson)

FAITH IN EDUCATION
By Karla Luke

On Sept. 3, the Diocese gathered for the annual day of worship and professional development hosted by the Office of Catholic Education. This much-anticipated event brought together over 400 faculty, staff and administrators from across the diocese to celebrate Catholic education and renew their mission in

nurturing faith and academic success among students. Held on the Tuesday after Labor Day, the day began with a Mass celebrated by Bishop Joseph Kopacz in the Fine Arts Building at St. Joseph School in Madison, coinciding with the Memorial of St. Gregory the Great – one of the patron saints of educators.

Dr. Timothy Hogan, a licensed clinical psychologist, speaker and author, was the keynote speaker for the day. Known for his expertise in the impact of technology and culture on spirituality, Dr. Hogan delivered a powerful and engaging presentation based on the diocesan theme of “Faith, Hope and Love.” His talk, “Faith, Hope and Love: Proven, Practical Ways to Cultivate Love,” inspired educators to deepen their own spiritual lives while guiding students to do the same. Drawing from his latest book, The Gift of Cultural Hurricanes: Tools to Rebuild Authentic Spirituality, Dr. Hogan shared insights on how educators can positively influence the faith of their students through their own authentic example.

Dr. Hogan emphasized the importance of strong attachment and connection between teachers, caregivers, and students, highlighting the role of educators in modeling faith and empathy. He discussed the challenges faced by young people today, particularly the pervasive impact of technology on their ability to process emotions and develop spiritually. Referencing data from 2013, when average smartphone usage was 18 minutes per day, compared to today’s staggering 6.5–8.5 hours per day, Dr. Hogan made clear the need for educators to be present, empathetic, and engaged in helping students navigate these challenges.

His message also spoke to the well-being of educators, encouraging them to slow down and be present in the moment, quoting St. Teresa of Avila: “Whoever possesses the present moment possesses God.” Dr. Hogan offered practical advice for fostering mindfulness in the classroom, such as beginning with a check-in to help students connect with their feelings and modeling emotional awareness in an age-appropriate manner. He urged educators to maintain a positive mindset, treat themselves with grace, and find solace in prayerful, rhythmic breathing.

After a shared meal, attendees broke into groups based on their roles in their schools to discuss how they could implement these ideas in their work. The day concluded with group sharing, where educators reflected on the insights gained and ways to support each other.

Feedback from participants was overwhelmingly positive. Many appreciated Dr. Hogan’s engaging style and the practical tools he offered for the classroom and beyond. Comments included: “My favorite thing about today was the speaker. He was amazing. He really engaged everyone in his presentation,” and “Not only telling us the issues we are seeing but helping us find ways to do something about it!” Educators also valued the opportunity to collaborate with their counterparts from other schools across the diocese.

The Office of Catholic Education extends its gratitude to Dr. Dena Kinsey and the staff of St. Joseph School for hosting, and to the Chancery staff for their ongoing support. A special appreciation goes to Rachel Patterson and Virginia Hollingsworth, for their dedication in organizing the event.

Finally, we honor all our teachers who, day in and day out, dedicate themselves to ensuring that our children are not only prepared for academic success but also develop a deep and lasting relationship with Christ. Their commitment to our mission is extraordinary, and they are truly our heroes.

(Karla Luke is the executive director of Catholic Schools for the Diocese of Jackson)

FAITH IN EDUCATION
By Karla Luke
As summer vacations come to an end, we joyfully welcome our students, families and staff back to school for another year of learning, growth and community. We are excited and eager to begin a new school year full of great possibilities and the promise of fresh starts.

This year, our school community will be guided by the timeless and profound theme of “Faith, Hope and Love.” Rooted in 1 Corinthians 13:13, these three virtues are not just ideals but the very foundation upon which we build our lives as followers of Christ and most important Catholic educators. As we begin this academic journey together, we invite every member of our school family to embrace these virtues in all that we learn and do.

Faith is the foundation of our Catholic education. It is the lens through which we view our world, and it is the source of strength that sustains us through challenges. It is the trust we place in God’s providence, knowing that He walks with us in every step we take. In our classrooms, we are called to cultivate an environment where faith is not just taught but lived. This year, we will continue to fulfill our mission of providing a Christ centered environment by deepening our faith through prayer, worship and service. In our classrooms and at home, we will encourage our students to seek God in all things, to rely on Him in moments of doubt, and to trust in His plan for their lives.

In a world often clouded by uncertainty and challenges, hope is the light that leads us forward. This school year, we are committed to instilling a sense of hope in our students, reminding them that they are the future and that with God, all things are possible. Hope gives us the courage to dream big, to set goals, and to persevere even when the path ahead seems difficult. Hope is the source of our vision statement “Our Catholic schools thrive in a diverse and ever-changing world.”

Above all, we are called to love each other – unconditionally, selflessly and generously. Love is the heart of our Catholic faith, and of our Catholic school community. In every interaction, in every lesson, we will strive to embody the love of Christ, showing compassion, kindness and respect to everyone we encounter.

Service is the most outward expression of love. This year, we will place a special emphasis on service, encouraging our students to put their love into action by helping those in need, both within our community and beyond. Through acts of kindness, big and small, we will teach our students that love is not just a feeling, but a choice – a choice to live as Christ lived, to serve as He served, and to love as He loved.

Welcoming New Faces to Our School Family
As we begin this exciting new school year, we are blessed to welcome four new administrators to the Diocese of Jackson Catholic education school family. Each brings a wealth of experience, a deep commitment to Catholic education, and a heart full of love for our students and community.

Whest Shirley joins us as the high school principal of Cathedral Catholic School in Natchez. With a strong background in educational leadership, Shirley previously served as superintendent for Concordia Parish, Louisiana and principal of Concordia Parish Academy of Math, Science and Technology.

Cynthia Dixon will lead Holy Family in Holly Springs as principal. She brings her experience from Lewisburg Elementary, a national Blue Ribbon School, and Greenbrook Elementary, where her dynamic leadership will greatly benefit the Holy Family community.

Heather Ascherl is the new principal of St. Joseph Catholic Elementary School (Our Lady of Lourdes) in Greenville. Formerly a regional digital learning coordinator with the Mississippi Department of Education, Ascherl’s expertise in technology and professional development will be invaluable to the St. Joseph community.

Wendi Murray takes on the role of director at St. Paul Early Learning Center, coming from the Rankin County School District’s Early Learning Collaborative. She will be joined by assistant director Susan Irby, a long-time employee of St. Paul’s ELC, following the retirement of Jennifer Henry and Darlene Scanlon.
As we move forward into this new school year, I am filled with excitement and optimism for all that we will accomplish together. With “Faith, Hope and Love” as our guiding virtues, I am confident that this will be a year of incredible growth, learning and spiritual enrichment for all members of our community.

Thank you for your continued trust and partnership in the mission of Catholic education. I look forward to seeing the wonderful things we will achieve together this year. May God bless each of you and may His love guide us in all that we do.

Welcome back, and let’s make this a year to remember!

(Karla Luke is the executive director of Catholic Schools for the Diocese of Jackson)

Message from the Office of education
By Karla Luke

Every year, for the past 49 years, the National Catholic Educational Association (NCEA) has designated the last Sunday in January as the beginning of National Catholic Schools Week. Activities conducted throughout this special week are intended to raise the profile of the benefits of Catholic education in our communities and our nation. We remember and celebrate the courage of the early bishops who sought to create a school system whereby schools could pass on our Catholic faith through education to all future generations. We express our pillars of faith, excellence and service through daily living out our Catholic faith and values in our schools, focusing on each student reaching their highest potential and serving our communities.

The experience of a Catholic education was the most precious gift my parents gave to my brothers and me. My mother was a public-school teacher in the sixties and seventies, while my father was a postal employee. As you may know, these jobs were considered respectable jobs, but in no way were we considered wealthy. My parents sacrificed to keep all three children in Catholic schools from kindergarten through high school. The people we are today are primarily because of the partnership that existed between our family and our schools. Our parents and schools taught us the value of our faith, honesty, integrity, service and hard work.

National Catholic Schools Week is the most appropriate time to express our thanks to all who support Catholic Education in the Diocese of Jackson. We thank Bishop Joseph Kopacz for his assistance to our Catholic schools through his prayers, for providing resources for operations and for his presence at our schools to interact with administrators, staff and students. His actions signal the value of this ministry to the Catholic community and, most of all, to our students. We stress and affirm that the students in our schools today are our present and future church. In the Office of Catholic Education, we would also like to thank the diocesan staff and departments who continue to assist our schools by sharing their areas of expertise, including financial, communications, development, faith formation, stewardship, liturgy and in many other areas.

We thank the pastors and canonical administrators who lead our schools and support school administrators, staff and students. Our pastors and canonical administrators are in our schools frequently, providing examples of what it is to be prayerful and compassionate Catholic men. Their representation of how they live their vocation is sure to inspire our students as they grow and begin to discern their own vocations in life.

We thank our administrators, who tirelessly give of themselves to the success of their schools. The job of an administrator is often “eight days a week.” The success and safety of the students, the well-being of the faculty and staff, and parents’ satisfaction are constant goals before them. I have personally witnessed the energy and care they invest in their schools. We cannot thank them enough.

We thank our teachers who interact with our students on a daily basis. Teachers and teacher assistants, and students spend nearly 40 hours a week together. Teachers and their assistants have the closest personal relationships with our students and are committed to their academic success and personal growth and development. Our teachers are devoted to preparing their students for successful futures and helping them achieve their highest potential.

We thank our support staff: administrative assistants, facility managers, maintenance and janitorial crews and cafeteria staff. Without their contributions, our schools could not function effectively. We appreciate that every school employee must be committed to student success, no matter their job title.

I thank the Diocesan Council of Catholic Education for your continued commitment to Catholic education in the Diocese of Jackson. Your support has been unwavering.

Finally, to our students and families … we would not exist without your faith in Catholic education! We thank you for your dedication and for entrusting your most precious resources to our care. Please believe that we are constantly exploring ways to make our great schools even more excellent by yielding students who love and serve Christ and are positive, productive and contributing members of their communities.

The theme for National Catholic Schools Week this year is Faith … Excellence … Service. The annual theme chosen for this year by schools in our diocese is taken from Psalm 100:2, “Serve the Lord with Gladness.” One of the national pillars of Catholic schools is service. In the Diocese of Jackson, our students, teachers and administrators participated in many service projects this year. It is exciting to see how each school has served its communities. Please enjoy this issue and continue to keep all schools and the members they serve in your prayers. God bless you and thank you!

By Karla Luke
“Peace be with you,” are the first words our resurrected Lord spoke to the fearful Apostles hiding in the Upper Room on that first day of the week. Peace. Assuredly, peace must have been the last thought on their minds after all of the terrifying events they witnessed in the final days of Jesus’ human life on Earth. Their friend and brother, betrayed, denied, falsely accused, tortured and murdered was now standing before them with an offer of peace. What a contrast!
When we think of peace, we generally think the absence of conflict or war; however, in the scriptural sense, peace is much more. When we possess true peace, we enjoy wholeness, harmony and right relationship with God, others and self. Peace, one of the fruits of the Holy Spirit, is a gift from God to us that is to be shared with all. Jesus, our brother, the Prince of Peace, came to unite heaven and earth and to show, by His selfless and loving example, how to be in right relationship with God and others. In The Joy of the Gospel – Evangelii Gaudium, Pope Francis suggests that in order to achieve peace we must become a people.
People in every nation enhance the social dimension of their lives by acting as committed and responsible citizens, not as a mob swayed by the powers that be. Let us not forget that “responsible citizenship is a virtue, and participation in political life is a moral obligation.” Yet becoming a people demands something more. It is an ongoing process in which every new generation must take part: a slow and arduous effort calling for a desire for integration and a willingness to achieve this through the growth of a peaceful and multifaceted culture of encounter. (220 Evangelii Gaudium)
Pope Francis proposes that we can build a people of peace by being attentive to four specific areas: time, unity, reality and wholeness.
Time is greater than space – Today much emphasis is placed on immediate results. Let’s face it, we live in an instant gratification society. The power goes to the person that makes it happen the fastest! Pope Francis tells us that we must focus more on the processes that develop societies and help move people more toward full and meaningful lives under the guidance of the Holy Spirit and less on outcomes that benefit a few.
Unity prevails over conflict – Conflicts exist everywhere, in families, societies and among nations. People choose to address conflicts either by ignoring them, embracing them or facing them head on. It is the latter, recommended by Pope Francis, that has the greatest impact on building peace. In facing conflict we endeavor to go beyond the surface of the issue and establish meaningful dialogue affording dignity to all involved in hopes of coming to a deeper understanding of one another.
Realities are more important than ideas – We consistently struggle with trying to connect ideas to realities. In some ways we bury reality in unattainable objectives and fundamentalism. While it is good to have high aspirations, we must not lose sight of the present condition. While Jesus’ incarnation is the reality of the Word made flesh, it illustrates that reality is necessary to evangelization. The history of our salvation is the reality and we must continue act in that same justice and charity to bring to life the word of Matthew’s Gospel, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called the children of God.”
The whole is greater than the part – There exists a relationship between the whole and the part: namely, we must be attentive to the worldly condition as well as our own local condition. Working for peace and justice in own community can have an exponential effect on other communities thereby assuring everyone, even the poor, of their own rightful place in society. We seek to maintain our own God-given individuality while pursuing the common good.
So as Catholic Christians when we come to that part of the Liturgy that invites us to share the gift of peace, let us remember that we are truly expressing the desire for wholeness, harmony and right relationship with our brothers and sisters in Christ. Peace be with you!
(Karla Luke works in the Office of Education. She is writing reflections on Pope Francis’ Joy of the Gospel all year.)

By Karla Luke
In St. Paul’s letter to the Philippians, he reminds the citizens of Philippi to be united in mind, faith and love. Think about it, he wouldn’t have had to remind them unless they had forgotten! The young church in Philippi, after Paul’s departure, had suddenly encountered grave deficiencies such as selfish ambition, conceit, and self-interest. Sound familiar? No matter where we look today, we can find a plethora of examples of selfish ambition, conceit and self-interest. They occur in the political realm, in social and economic arenas and yes, even in the Church.
The good news is that we can all benefit from Paul’s words, “…complete my joy by being of the same mind, with the same love, united in heart, thinking one thing. Do nothing out of selfishness or out of vainglory; rather, humbly regard others as more important than yourselves, each looking out not for his own interests, but also, everyone, for those of others” (Phil 2:2-4).
Notice how these setbacks relate to self. What a peaceful world we would have if we were all able to put aside our own selfish ambitions, conceitedness, and self-interests. It would be peaceful and ideal, but unfortunately because of our humanity, not very realistic. When we all try to take care of self, and value self-interest above all else, it is likely to cause conflict.
Pope Francis, in his simple and yet humble manner states in paragraph 226 of Evangelii Gaudium, The Joy of the Gospel, that “Conflict cannot be ignored or concealed. It has to be faced. But if we remain trapped in conflict, we lose our perspective, our horizons shrink and reality itself begins to fall apart.” At times, conflict, whether global, local or personal can be so overwhelming, that we lose our perspective which makes it extremely difficult to be “of the same mind, with the same love, united in heart, thinking one thing.”
He notes three ways in which conflict is treated: ignore it, embrace it or the best way, face it. By inviting the Holy Spirit into our conflict, we are able to resolve it and become the peacemakers Jesus teaches us about in the Beatitudes in Matthew’s Gospel.
We are being challenged as a church to go beyond our conflicts to recognize the deepest dignity of others, whether Christians or not, as sons and daughters of God.  We must believe that our similarities as children of God which unite us are more powerful than the differences that we allow to divide us. “In this way it becomes possible to build communion amid disagreement, but this can only be achieved by those great persons who are willing to go beyond the surface of the conflict and to see others in their deepest dignity. This requires acknowledging a principle indispensable to the building of friendship in society: namely, that unity is greater than conflict.” (Evangelii Gaudium P. 228)
Pope Francis spoke to the general audience in Vatican City on June 19, 2013, saying: “There is communion and unity: all are in relation to one another and all combine to form a single vital body, profoundly connected to Christ. Let us remember this well: being part of the church means being united to Christ and receiving from him the divine life that makes us to live as Christians.
It means remaining united to the Pope and bishops who are instruments of unity and communion and it also means learning to overcome selfishness and divisions, to understand one another better, and to harmonize the variety and richness of each one. In a word, loving God and the persons around us, in our families, parishes, and associations, better. Body and limbs must be united in order to live!”
God blesses and affirms unity most prominently in the Holy Trinity, the unity of Father, Son and Holy Spirit, the two natures of Jesus Christ, united as God and man, and the commissioning of Jesus by God to unite the scattered children into one church. So, let us continue to work for unity: unity within ourselves, our families, parishes, cultures, and countries. In working toward unity, we achieve peace.

By Karla Luke
“Ever since Jesus entered into history, with his birth in Bethlehem, humanity has received the germ of the Kingdom of God, like the terrain that receives the seed, the promise of a future harvest. There is no need to search elsewhere! Jesus has come to bring joy to all forever. It is not merely a hoped-for joy, or a joy postponed to paradise: here on earth we are sad but in paradise we will be joyful. No! It is not this, but rather it is a joy that is already real and that can be experienced now, because Jesus Himself is our joy, and with Jesus our home is joyful.”
­— Pope Francis
Merry Christmas! As the Advent season comes to a close and the Christmas season begins, once again our faithful Creator has bestowed on us the gifts of hope, faith, joy and peace through the incarnation of His only Son Jesus Christ. Since the beginning of creation, God has constantly demonstrated His love for us by trusting us to love Him in return.
Because we sinned and fell short, God loved us enough to come down into our world to show us the way back to Him, in the person of Jesus Christ. He loved us enough to become us. This alone should fill us with immense joy. Pope Francis wrote in his  about how this joy comes into our hearts.
“A Christian is a person whose heart is filled with peace because he or she knows to place joy in the Lord even when experiencing difficult moments in life. To have faith does not mean not having difficult moments, but rather having the strength to face them knowing that we are not alone. And this is the peace God gives to His sons and daughters”.
— Pope Francis

We are called to experience the true joy of this Christmas season by being in community with others. Yes, we should visit with family and friends as our traditions dictate. However, we should also reach out to those who are forgotten, lonely, poor and imprisoned.
Our true and authentic joy does not come from receiving gifts and new material possessions, but it comes from encountering the different parts of the Body of Christ, no matter where we may find them. As our baptismal promises indicate, we are missionaries of joy and as missionaries of joy we are called to bring that same joy to all others including those who do not know Christ and those who must rediscover Christ.
So as we celebrate this Christmas season, let’s not forget, in the words of Pope Francis, that we are “the terrain that receives the seed for the promise of a future harvest.” We have received Christ, the true seed of joy. Let us plant Him within ourselves to yield a great harvest for the Kingdom of God. Be the joy of Christ to all! Merry Christmas!
(Karla Luke is the coordinator of operations and support services for the Office of Catholic Education. She is writing reflections from Pope Francis’ Joy of the Gospel this year.)