tvc.dsj.org | August 20, 2019 CATHOLIC SCHOOLS
21
Welcome Back to School
As hallways and classrooms fill with
students for a new school year, students
likely return under a cloud of trepida-
tion and anxiety in the wake of three
mass shootings in the span of one week,
including one in our own backyard,
our beloved community of Gilroy. We
continue to review our protocols to be
assured that we are doing all possible
to keep our students, faculty, and staff
safe in our schools.
We also have assembled some best
practices for families and students in
coping with news of tragedies such as
the ones we have witnessed across our
country and all-too close to home, in
Gilroy. It is important to be aware of
anxiety that students might carry and
to minimize it as much as possible so
that learning and personal growth can
take place.
As I have reflected on these heart-
wrenching tragedies, I am reminded of
a fundamental truth of what it means
to be human – that we belong to one
another. No one is an island. No one
should be an island. It is important that
we examine our attitudes and practices
with regard to bullying. Also, what
are some ways in which we can reach
out to those that may be new to our
communities, those who may feel left
out or ostracized from certain groups
or activities?
As a recent newcomer to California,
I have personally found people in the
area tremendously welcoming and
kind. How important are those basic
human virtues! They help to humanize
us, to remind us that we belong to each
other – brother, sister, neighbor.
Pope Francis, since the beginning
of his pontificate, has encouraged us
all to go to the margins of society to
encounter Christ in the poor, in those
excluded from the activity of society.
We need not travel to other countries
to do this; we can simply turn to our
neighbors and offer a gesture of wel-
come, of friendship, and perhaps listen
to their stories! Being able to tell our
stories also helps to connect at a deeper
human level with others and to feel a
part of community.
Saint Paul, in reflecting 20 centuries
ago on what it meant to be part of this
new reality, the church, offered a very
helpful, simple and profound, image:
we are the Body of Christ! When one
member of the body suffers, the entire
body feels the pain. Even at a basic hu-
man level, beyond those of us baptized
into the Christian faith, we are one
human family. We are reminded that
all persons are created in the image
of God, and thus bear immeasurable
dignity to be respected.
May we, as we embark on a new
year of learning and personal growth,
become ever more deeply human in
our concern for others, compassionate
members of the Body of Christ.
+Oscar Cantú
Bishop of San José
The Joy of Encountering Christ
By Liz Sullivan
The Diocese of San José officially
kicked off the 2019-2020 school year
on August 12 with the Annual Convo-
cation Mass at Mission Santa Clara on
the campus of Santa Clara University.
Bishop Oscar Cantú was the cel-
ebrant, with assistance from priests
throughout the Diocese.
Before the Mass, Superintendent of
Schools Jennifer Beltramo addressed
the hundreds of teachers and princi-
pals from the Diocese’s 26 elementary
schools.
“We belong to one another.
It is a simple message in
this day and age. I ask
that you be a source of
inspiration for the students
and help them build that
sense of unity.”
“Catholic schools play a unique
role in education,” said Beltramo.
“Those in it boldly and unabashedly
stand with Christ. Catholic schools
have a deep and personal relationship
with Christ. Christ is a vital part of
ministry.”
For Bishop Cantú, Catholic educa-
tion is something near and dear to his
heart and his ministry. The Bishop is
a product of Catholic schools in the
The Diocese of San José held its annual Convocation Mass on August 12 at Mission Santa Clara on the campus of Santa Clara University.
Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston
in Texas. He attended the Pontifical
Gregorian University in Rome, earn-
ing a licentiate in sacred theology and
a doctorate dogmatic theology.
“We have all been reflecting on the
tragedies in Gilroy, in El Paso and in
Dayton,” said the Bishop, “and what
it says about us and our nation. When
I thought of them, my mind came
to you (the teachers). You see young
hearts and young minds. Day in and
day out you get to know them. You
have an important position of influ-
ence. It is important for the students
to have respect for our brothers and
sisters in need and (understand) that
everyone in need is our neighbor.”
The Bishop continued: “How we
treat the least of those is how we treat
Jesus. We belong to one another. It is a
simple message in this day and age. I
ask that you be a source of inspiration
for the students and help them build
that sense of unity.
In addition to being home to 26
elementary schools from Palo Alto
to Gilroy, the Diocese of San José has
six Catholic high schools and Santa
Clara University, run by the Society
of Jesus – the Jesuits.
“As we begin a new year, how do
we ensure that each of our students
deeply k nows Christ and deeply
sees Christ, so they can encounter
Christ?,” Beltramo asked. “It takes
deliberate and intentional action on
a daily basis for each of us to know
Christ. God has called each of us by
name to this place and to this time.
Here is to another incredible journey
this year.”
To learn more about Catholic edu-
cation in the Diocese of San José, visit
www.dsj.org/education.