From the Bishop

My dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

There is a great need for our young people to know Jesus Christ through the teachings of the Roman Catholic Church, which will guide them into lives of happiness, holiness and service to others. Parents need the support of strong Catholic schools and religious education programs if they are to fulfill their responsibilities as the first and best teachers of their children in the ways of the faith. Our Catholic identity is evident in the regular celebrations of Holy Mass, religion classes, the moral behavior expected from each of our students and teachers and the many youth community service projects.

The enrollment of our schools reflects the communities that they serve. Families from diverse parishes, ethnic backgrounds, economic means and abilities are welcomed into every school. Academic excellence has been the historical reputation of a Catholic education. That reputation is demonstrated in our schools with over 90 percent of our high school seniors graduating to four year colleges and standardized tests scores that are above the national and state benchmarks.

Our religious education programs reinforce what is taught to the children at home and incorporates them into parish life. This requires the formation of qualified and faithful teachers who have knowledge of the faith which is also lived out in word and deed.

Jesus tells us in Matthew 28:19: "Go and make disciples of all nations...teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you." One very positive way to participate in this important mission is to support the annual Catholic Education Collection in your parish the week-end of January 23-24, 2010. One half of the collections will remain in your parish for your own religious education programs and one half supports 14 Catholic schools throughout the Diocese. Your generosity will help ensure that we will continue to offer quality Catholic education in our schools and parishes.

Wishing you God’s blessing in this New Year, I remain, with an assurance of my prayers,

Devotedly yours in Christ

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Northwest VT News

Catholic Schools Week Mass

SOUTH BURLINGTON—Catholic Schools Week will be celebrated Jan. 31- Feb. 6. Bishop Salvatore R. Matano, Bishop of Burlington, will celebrate Mass at 9 a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 2, at Rice Memorial High School. Students, parents and staff from Christ the King School, Mater Christi School, St. Joseph School, St. Francis Xavier School and Rice Memorial High School will attend.

Mater Christi School open house

BURLINGTON—Mater Christi School in Burlington will host an open house for parents and friends of children three years through grade eight who might be interested in getting better acquainted with the school. The open house is Wednesday Jan. 20, from 8:30-10:30 a.m. and offers an opportunity to visit the classrooms while school is in session as well as time to chat with teachers and staff. The school, sponsored by the

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News Around the Diocese

Office of Safe Environment Programs

RUTLAND—Beatrice Wells, a licensed clinical social worker and a counselor with Vermont Catholic Charities Inc. in Rutland, is also working with the Office of Safe Environment Programs for the Diocese of Burlington as the victim advocacy representative. Kevin Scully, director of that office, said victim advocacy is "absolutely a necessary part" of the diocese’s work to protect children and young people from harm. Her office number is 802-773-3379.

World Marriage Day

BURLINGTON—Bishop Salvatore R. Matano, Bishop of Burlington, will preside at the annual Diocesan World Marriage Day Mass on Sunday, Feb. 7, at 11 a.m. at St. Joseph Co-Cathedral. Couples celebrating significant anniversaries (multiples of five, and any over 50) during 2010 will be recognized at the diocesan Mass.

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