Catholic education prepares for life of ‘compassion, service and respect’

A Catholic education is “not a preparation for capitalism, or a narrow narcissistic and selfish view of life but, rather, one of compassion, service, respect and using one’s talents and opportunities”, the Bishop of Meath, Tom Deenihan stated at a Mass broadcast nationally from Mullingar Cathedral on Sunday.

For those reasons, he stated, the contribution of the Catholic school to society is now needed more than it ever was.

The Mass was marking the ‘Sunday of the Word of God’ and also the close of Catholic Schools Week 2026.

Bishop Deenihan explained that the Sunday of the Word of God celebration had been introduced by Pope Francis a few years ago to encourage the faithful to focus on the power and wisdom of scripture – the Word of God.

“And the Word of God has inspired many to work for others, to be holy and contribute positively to society. Catholic schools are an example,” he said, stating that the Word of God must inspire and influence our daily lives, and the Word of God must inform or permeate our Catholic schools too.

“The mission of the Catholic school is, essentially, faith and reason,” Bishop Deenihan stated, adding that the theme of Catholic Schools Week this year was ‘normal lives, called to holiness’ – holiness through prayer; holiness through love and friendship; holiness in family life; holiness through service and courage and holiness through joy and mission.

“Without that call to holiness, without that outreach to others, education could easily be reduced to a self-serving exercise that promotes selfishness and capitalism,” he warned, adding that that would be wrong and not at all Catholic.

“Our time and our young people need something more than self-serving platitudes and capitalism.”

Continuing, Bishop Deenihan stated that good works or actions are always the test of faith and the measure of a Catholic school.

“What is often called the institutional Church, for all its failings, was aware of this,” he said, explaining that many followers of Christ, lay and religious, from this parish, this diocese and every other, have worked with the poor here and elsewhere: “They have given the new sight of education to generations of young people and improved their standards of living,” he said.

“That account is not mere history,” he continued, stating that in this country and in this parish, several men and women are still operating by that charter, motivated by Christ, putting their faith into practice, making this place a better place to live in.

“That is the contribution that Christianity and Catholic education have made – and should make – to society. Providing the light of knowledge, faith and opportunity.”

The bishop commented that many schools today are involved in outreach programmes to the community that involve assisting, supporting, visiting and, in so doing, learn valuable lessons on social responsibility, social justice and social obligations. In addition, he commented, the recent ecological movement has been supported by students of Catholic schools who, like Pope Francis, see care for our common home a vital obligation.

Bishop Deenihan stated that he often quotes Catherine McAuley, the foundress of the Mercy Sisters, ‘The function of a school is to fit its students for life without unfitting them for eternal life’.