tvc.dsj.org | August 22, 2017
IN THE DIOCESE
3
It is Time for School; Diocese of San Jose Celebrates Annual Convocation Mass
By Liz Sullivan
The Diocese of San Jose (DSJ) wel-
comed the 2017-18 school year with its
Ninth Annual Convocation Mass at
Mission Santa Clara on the campus of
Santa Clara University on August 14.
Attended by more than 600 teachers
and staff from the Diocese’s 28 elemen-
tary schools, the Mass traditionally
ushers in the beginning of the school
year, on August 17.
“All we do is because of the stu-
dents,” said DSJ Superintendent of
Schools Kathy Almazol. “Your face is
the face of God in the students. Teach-
ers are called not just hired. In Catholic
schools we believe our role is to share
our faith. Thank you for being so good
at helping others.”
Before this year’s Mass, Father Rich-
ard Fragomeni delivered the keynote
address. Fragomeni, from the Diocese
of Albany, N.Y., is a professor at the
Catholic Theological Union in Chicago
where his teaching involves theology,
interpretation theory and poetry.
Father Fragomeni gave a lively and
witty address focused on building
bridges between the teachers and their
students and to God.
“Catholic schools are the formation
place for future Catholics and future
members of society,” said Fragomeni.
“We are forming Catholic believers in
Christ and students for life. In Christ
we are all one in the same spirit that can
transform this current world of hate.”
Fragomeni told the assembled teach-
ers that there are six ways they can
infect their students sublimely.
Their role as educators – “Our role is
to learn humility,” said Fragomeni. “We
have to realize that we are all not that
important and that we are all fallible.”
Providing hospitality – “especially to
the students we love the least.”
Before Mass, Father Richard Fragomeni deliv-
ered the keynote address. DSJ Superintendent of Schools Kathy Almazol
addresses attendees at Mass.
Father Sergio Ovando greets teachers during
the Ninth Annual Convocation Mass.
A choir made up of elemetary school teachers
sings during Mass. Monsignor Francis Cilia, joined by fellow priests, celebrated Mass during the Ninth Annual
Convocation Mass.
Generosity – “providing a gener-
ous use of our time; to be there for the
students.”
Not h ing can be done wit hout
prayer – “We can’t do this without a
presence inside ourselves listening to
what God is saying to us.”
Justice and Charity – “making sure
the system is correct.”
Bedazzlement – “We want them to
remember something we have taught
them,” said Fragomeni. “It is the most
important thing we can give them.”
Monsignor Francis Cilia, Vicar
General for the Diocese of San Jose,
celebrated the Mass and delivered
the homily. He spoke about the role
of Catholic School teachers in hand-
ing on the faith of the Church to their
students.
“One of the dominant narratives
of our time centers on building walls
and building bridges...Walls cut off and separate; bridges foster dialogue,
communication, understanding.
Walls come in all shapes and sizes.
Not just geo politics.
They are society’s way of saying
that something can’t be done, is not
possible.
They are our way of forgoing messy
dialogue for making pronouncements
from authority, usually rooted in fear
and distrust.
One of the titles of the Pope is
Pontifex Maximus –“Greatest Builder
of Bridges.”
Indeed, every bishop shares the
title of Pontifex – the Bridge-Builder.
Each of us is called to be Pontifex
Minimus – Small Bridge-Builder.
Choosing to build bridges and tear-
ing down walls that already exist takes
courage... the coura ge of conviction,
of belief...
For in Catholic Education, belief is
at the core of who we are and all that
we do.
As teachers, you build bridges from
where our students are and where we
hope to be.
To be an educator is one of the most
essential works of our society and our
world.
Noting that the celebration was on
the Feast of Saint Maximilian Kolbe,
the Conventual Franciscan priest who
died in Auschwitz in exchange for the
life of one of the other prisoners, he
continued “Maximillian laid down
his life ... was the bridge between faith
and action. No greater love, than to
lay down one’s life for one’s friends ...
following the Lord whose Body and
Blood we share in this Eucharist.”
More school news, including mes-
sages from Bishop McGrath and Kathy
Almazol, Superintendent of Schools,
on page 23.
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