My Dear Friends,

December is a very special month for all of us. It is certainly about Christmas, but for all of us it is also about Advent. Advent is the time to remember and prepare for the real meaning of Christmas and the coming of Jesus into the world.

This is an important educational opportunity for our schools. We all know that our schools are excellent academically, but we realize that they also exist for the purpose of spreading the Word of the Lord. In our very secular world, our teachers can talk to our students about our faith and how it relates to Advent and Christmas.

Also, during these difficult times of the pandemic we can certainly be thankful for the coming of Our Lord and the gift of faith. It is through faith and prayer that we can succeed in difficult times. This is the message we instill in our students. It is wonderful to be able to speak of faith and Our Lord in our schools.

Advent is a very important time in our schools. Each year it seems that the Christmas season becomes more commercialized and secularized. Once again, we have the opportunity to be the counterculture for the true meaning of Christmas. During Advent, our students can prepare for and remember the birthday of Our Lord.

It is with great pride that I know I would be able to walk into any of our classrooms and see that our students truly understand the faith importance of Advent and Christmas. This is the true value of Catholic education and Catholic schools. I cannot think of another time when Catholic education has been more important for our youth.

My prayers are with you during this special time and we must share the opportunity to spread the Word of the Lord both in our schools and at home. I wish you a very merry and faith filled Christmas season.

George A. Milot
Superintendent of Schools