“As your bishop, please know that I am grateful for what you do, for being in the classroom each and every day with our children, for teaching them and forming a foundation for their future. Be assured of my love and my gratitude. May God bless you,” said Bishop Parkes during his homily.

Bishop Parkes affirmed, "You have chosen a noble profession. What you do is more than a job; it's a vocation, it's a calling from God."

Andrew Zsebedics, a Theology teacher at Bishop McLaughlin Catholic High School, expressed the significance of coming together to pray as formators and teachers.

“I think to be able to come together for the Mass, the highest expression of prayer, the source and summit of our faith, is truly essential to do as teachers,” said Zsebedics.

Bishop Parkes highlighted the blessings that come with being a Catholic educator, stating, "You help to form our children, our young men and women, to be not only good students, but also people of faith, and to help prepare them for a life of service, a life of love, a life of following the Lord."

In addition to helping young people know and love the Lord, Catholic schools have been recognized nationally for academic excellence.

On the 2022 national assessment for public and private schools, usually known as the Nation’s Report Card, it was noted that “if Catholic schools were a state, they would be the highest performing state in the country.”

The data also showed that “Catholic schools are near the top in learning outcomes for students receiving free and reduced-price lunch, demonstrating the system’s commitment to underprivileged students.”

Stephen Eschenfelder, Director of Campus Ministry at Bishop McLaughlin Catholic High School, shared his favorite aspect of teaching, stating, "My favorite thing about teaching is being able to build relationships with the kids and encouraging them to grow and seeing them grow in their faith."

For photos from the Mass for Educators, click on this link.