FAITH Saginaw Spring 2008 : Page 2
‘‘ f r o m t h e e d i t o r L ocated in the middle of Huron County, smack dab in the middle of farm fields, there is an elementary school that features a large lighthouse towering over the roof of its façade. I used to drive by it often when I worked at the Huron Daily Tribune in Bad Axe as a reporter covering the many village communities of the “Upper Thumb.” The building is Laker Elementary of the Elkton-Pigeon-Bay Port Lakers School District. I remember thinking it was odd, while passing the building on M-142, that a lighthouse stood in the middle of vast fields rather than on the shore of a Great Lake or watching over an ocean coastline. I remember once even thinking, “Wouldn’t it be cool if that were a Catholic School and it was named something like Lumen Christi (Light of Christ)? What a statement of faith that would be!” I was reminded of the sight of that lighthouse school recently during Catholic Schools Week (Jan. 27 – Feb. 2). The theme of this year’s national celebration of Catholic education was “Catholic Schools Light the Way.” I am fascinated by lighthouses. I think it is amazing how their beams are able to scatter the darkness with such radiant force and power. They often lead me to reflect on Jesus as the light of the world and his charge for us to be light for the world. “You are the light of the world. A city set on a mountain cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and then put it under a bushel basket; it is set on a lamp stand, where it gives light to all in the house. Just so, your light must shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your heavenly Father.” (Mt 5:14-16) They also inspire me to reflect on the great celebration of the Easter Vigil Mass and how the prayer moves from darkness to light as the flame from the blessed fire ignites the paschal candle and is passed among the congregation until the glowing light of countless candles fills the previously hidden worship space. Like many of the structures, institutions and organizations within the church, Catholic schools function as lighthouses for our faith journey. They illuminate the darkness of the perilous sea of life and shine on the path that can lead us into the safe harbor of heaven. ‘‘ In a sense, each of us, as a member of the body of Christ, is to be a living lighthouse: the light of the world. It is a truth that is proclaimed in the rite of baptism: “Receive the light of Christ … These children of yours have been enlightened by Christ. They are to walk always as children of the light. May they keep the flame of faith alive in their hearts. When the Lord comes, may they go out to meet him with all the saints in the heavenly kingdom.” In this special Catholic schools issue of FAITH Saginaw, you will meet some of the bright lights that help some of our diocesan schools shine. There are many more. Let your FAITH shine. - Matt Treadwell is editor-in-chief of FAITH Saginaw and communications director for the Catholic Diocese of Saginaw. FAITH Saginaw Spring 2008 “You are the light of the world. A city set on a mountain cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and then put it under a bushel basket; it is set on a lamp stand, where it gives light to all in the house. Just so, your light must shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your heavenly Father.” (Mt 5:14-16) Shine for all to see Catholic schools can b for our wor Liturgical Calendar: St. Francis of Paola, Hermit April 2 | St. Isidore, Bishop and Doctor April 4 | St. Vincent Ferrer, Priest April 5 | St. John Baptist de la Salle, Pr
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