My Life as a Catholic School Girl: A Reflection

One of my best memories of my life was sitting in the front seat of my mother’s old minivan, talking with her about life and the world around me. We could talk about anything and everything, from that day's Gospel reading to the Baltimore Orioles’ latest home game. Over the years, we have spoken about many things throughout life, but one of them has been most important to me lately- the topic of Catholic education.

My parents have done their best to keep my younger brother and myself in Catholic schools throughout our lives. Indeed, neither of us have ever been to a public school. We attended the same elementary school as my mother and my grandfather did. My brother headed to an all-boys school in the city, while I followed my mother’s example to attend her alma mater. Now, as a senior in high school, I am getting ready to attend my first choice college- another Catholic school.

As young as six years old, I can remember my mother telling me how important getting a Catholic education was. She made sure that I knew how different my education would be. It is not just that she thought my education would be better, since the classes were smaller. My mother believed that Catholic schooling would help me to develop my love for others. She thought it would teach me the Catechism, and assist me in living out those roles in my life. Mom believed that by going to Catholic school, my life would be enriched by the lives of other religious men and women.

Well, as always, my mother was right. Some of my best role models have come from my years of Catholic schooling. My first principal, Sr. Joan, is one that I particularly remember for her need to memorize every single student’s name by the first day. When I came in as a kindergartener, she addressed both of my parents and by name. That is a large task for one women, but it exemplifies the way that Sister Joan also tried to treat us the way that Jesus treats us, by calling us by name. When my senior class experienced the loss of a classmate in October, our campus minister was the first one to ask us to pray the Rosary as a way of grieving. She guided us to use our feelings to praise God that our sister was no longer in pain. My band director texts me before every music audition, saying that he will pray for me. These teachers have transformed who I am in a way that directly correlates to my faith. They make me want to be a better child of God.

Now that I have less than 100 days until my high school graduation date, I'm starting to reflect on the choices that my parents have made for me, now that I am getting to the point where I can make my own decisions. Out of all of the decisions my parents have made, I'm the most glad that they chose Catholic education for me. Now, as an almost-legal girl ready to head into the world, I know that the shaping of my faith has come from the men and women whom I have encountered on my journey through childhood. The Catholic education that I have received has been life-changing, and I know that these role models are a blessing from God. Now, as I journey into the future, I will always take my Catholic education with me.

P.S.- Mom, you were right. Just like always.