In my formative years, I felt like I was living in two or three different worlds. Growing up, I came to see life through the Catholic lens as taught to me at home by my devout parents and at my parish. I felt supported in my faith by Polish cultural events and by my vacations to Poland. But day-to-day I confronted conflicting messages from secular environments at school and at part time jobs. The confusion, the conflicting messages, led to much unnecessary pain and anguish. I believe that had I gone to  Catholic school I would have been better equipped to handle some of the challenges life brought me.

It is even more difficult for children today. It must be tempting for them to think the Catholic faith is old fashioned, irrelevant and that their parents’ values are stuck in the past.

Convincing them otherwise involves the work of a community. And that’s what Catholic education gives our children — a community of believers. While not all members of the community are perfect, they are still a vital force by their sheer presence in our schools.

When I look at the experience of my own children in the Catholic education system, the tremendous value of Catholic schools shines forth. Here are a few of the things my kids have experienced that I did not.

Catholic role models. My children have been blessed with many  educators who are devout, hardworking, prayerful, dynamic, self-giving professionals, people who are truly in love with Christ and the Church. They have been able to witness what it means to grow up and become an authentic Catholic. It has been so very good for my son to see his school teacher standing in line for confession.

Clear moral teaching on abortion. After learning about the atrocity of abortion, my daughter felt called to give a speech on the topic. She had the freedom to share her convictions to defend life and did so with the support of Church teaching and her teacher.

Mass and the Sacrament of Reconciliation. It really is something to see an entire school attend Mass, participate in the Sacrament of Reconciliation, witness Eucharistic Adoration and the coronation of Mary in the month of May. It’s even more edifying to see teachers and clergy instruct students during a school Mass about the meaning of the Mass and the strength derived from practising their Catholic faith and receiving the sacraments.

Membership in Catholic  clubs. I have had the wonderful opportunity to run a Saints Club and a Rosary Club in my children’s elementary school. There are a variety of faith-based clubs in our Catholic education system that foster the love of saints, the love of prayer and the love of faith in action.

Biblical, catechetical, historical and moral formation. The media often disregards the history of the Catholic Church and its contribution as a vital force for social justice. Catholic schools help students make the connection between Catholicism, church, prayer and the call to action.  My children know Bible passages because they are reading them daily. The virtues program is constantly calling kids to a higher level of living.

Prayer.  Every single morning when I dropped my kids at school I’ve  been happy to know they  start their day with prayer. In my son’s elementary school I suggested grace before meals and the teacher implemented it the next day. One very profound moment for me was when my daughter’s Grade 8 teacher asked if we could start off our parent-teacher interview with a prayer. Praying the living rosary with well over 400 students was another transforming experience.

I am deeply grateful for our Catholic education system and I pray that each and every Catholic will support our education system by prayer, sacrifice and volunteering their time. Each of us can make a valuable contribution — and God only knows how much the system needs our help.

(Pilarski, a professional speaker and consultant, can be reached at www.dorothypilarski.com.)