For many this week marks “Back to School” time (though I’ve long since held school should always be out from Memorial Day to Labor Day – so apologies to kids as I have nothing to do with setting the schedule!).

 Admittedly the fact that the days of me having to think about school starting again and going back are long since in the rearview mirror along with my Trapper Keeper, but as a new school year starts, I think it’s worth thinking about how we are always learning, and what we can do to help our young in this process too.

 Last week, Peter declared that Jesus was the Christ, the Son of the Living God. This week however though he needs a little bit of remedial help. He may believe that Jesus is Divine, but he is not buying into this business of Jesus having to suffer, and so Jesus rebukes him and challenges him to think more deeply. Peter of course will do that, and go on to become a great saint, pope and leader; this will include his own growth, but also him becoming a fisher of men as a remarkable evangelist.

 On our part, how do we make sure our growth continues? That happens through ongoing prayer; through making Mass a priority in our lives; and through as I noted last week at Mass trusting in the Church to guide us. It also entails humility, realizing we are always learning more about our faith as our lives go on, and that we are sinners, always in need of God’s mercy.

 We also teach, and this entails people seeing us live out the faith through words and actions; through doing works of mercy for others, and through not being afraid to testify to what it is we believe as we strive to point the way to Jesus.

 In a special way this happens within families. In particular, at the start of a new school year and as the year unfolds, think of the daily things that happen in the home that teach kids what matters most. For instance, take Mass. Life is busy, and Mass gives us a chance to re-connect with the Lord, meditate on His word and receive Him in Holy Communion. Making that a family priority, along with regular prayer with children, can really teach kids that we center our life not around homework or being a busybody with a million things on our schedule, but rather around God. With that too, kids learn so much when they witness compassion in the house; when they see the love between parents; when they see parents sacrificing for them or helping their own parents, or the hard work that a mom and dad do as well. And there is the talking about the faith too, as parents can do so much to help their kids learn about our faith at a deeper level. And of course, there is encouragement – for as the year unfolds many kids will find some things get more challenging, or second guess their talents – but with perseverance those gifts come out.

 It’s been a real blessing of my priesthood to be a part of schools in every parish I’ve been at, and to see how much they have a love for God, and also to see amazing teachers and principals like Kelly Roche who serve so selflessly to help them on their journey not just to 9th grade but to sainthood. I believe it’ll be another great year for Saint Joseph’s School. But while we might not all be returning to school as a student or teacher, on a deeper level every day we are both in God’s classroom – so may we strive to grow in our faith, live it out, and teach it to one another.

 Have a blessed week,

Fr. Paul

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August 30, 2026