Diocese of Fall River Catholic Schools releases ‘‘Educating for Eternity’’ video series

Originally published on anchornews.org

FALL RIVER — Pope Leo XIV’s recent apostolic letter, Drawing New Maps of Hope, declares that “education is not an ancillary activity, but forms the very fabric of evangelization: it is the concrete way in which the Gospel becomes an educational gesture, a relationship, a culture.”

With that vision in mind, the Diocese of Fall River’s Catholic schools are working to be more intentionally guided by the Word of Christ, emphasizing that the foundation of a Catholic education is the belief that each student is created in the image of God (Gen. 1:26) and is capable of understanding truth and relationship.

Dr. Brett Salkeld’s book, Educating for Eternity, published in November 2022, helped spark renewed enthusiasm for the Catholic charism present in Catholic schools across the country. National trends indicate that many families are dissatisfied with public education because of concepts that do not align with their family values. Surveys also show a resurgence of young Catholics returning to the Church, along with significant increases in Catholic conversions among younger generations at levels higher than at the turn of the 21st century. Additionally, many Catholic colleges and Catholic schools are experiencing enrollment growth, while public and private institutions continue to see enrollment declines.

Local and diocesan experience confirms that while many families desire a different educational option for their children, transferring to a Catholic school can feel unattainable. To address that concern, the Diocese created a 14-video series designed to better communicate what it means for a family to join a school community that views each child as a gift from God.

In the diocesan video, Bishop Edgar da Cunha, S.D.V., quotes Pope Leo XIV, saying, “The Catholic school is an environment in which faith, culture and life intertwine. It is not simply an institution, but rather a living environment in which the Christian vision permeates every discipline and every interaction.”

Lena Bevilacqua recently transferred her daughter, Genevieve, to St. Pius X School in Yarmouth after becoming dissatisfied with the local school system.

“My daughter used to cry every day when she had to go to school because she did not feel any connection with her schoolmates,” Bevilacqua said. “Now, she proudly wears her uniform and is excited every morning as she happily shares stories about her many St. Pius X friends. While I was raised Catholic, I never considered sending her to a Catholic school. We are so blessed to be a part of this amazing school community, where she has been welcomed with open arms and treated as though she’s been a part of the school for years.”

Each of the 13 Catholic elementary schools in the Diocese of Fall River has released a video highlighting specific ways their communities embrace children as created in the image and likeness of God. Interviews with parents, students, teachers, principals and pastors collectively tell each school’s unique Catholic charism through both visual and personal storytelling.

All 14 videos, including the diocesan video featuring Bishop da Cunha, are available at catholicschoolsalliance.org/educating-for-eternity The site also provides additional information on what a Catholic education means to students, families, teachers, school leaders and the broader Catholic school community.