11 GUERINCATHOLIC.ORG Trust In God By Susan and Joe Barrett — (Katie, GC Class of 2011; Annie, GC Class of 2013; Ellie, GC Class of 2016 Joe, St. Maria Goretti – 8th grade; Rosie, St. Maria Goretti – 4th grade) Anyone who knows me knows I am quite the procrastinator. I prayed the Holy Spirit would guide me and help me share what I know to be true — giving our children the gift of Catholic education was never a choice for Joe and me. For us it simply boils down to trust. Recently, one evening we were sitting at Mass with our family. It was as if Father knew I had to write this article. We were celebrating the solemnity of Mary. There isn’t a better example of complete trust than the Mother of God. The emphasis on trust in the homily was exactly what I needed to hear. We add up the numbers, and they don’t make sense. People ask us how we do it, and we don’t have an answer. All we know is we couldn’t imagine it any other way. So you think it would be easy to explain something that comes so naturally, right? Wrong. We are in a world where our focus tends to be on the material rewards as opposed to spiritual ones. I can say with confidence my children’s Catholic education has taught them to center their lives around God’s plan for them and what they can do to serve and love Him. Whenever Joe and I question our choice, which has definitely happened, it is amazing how God sends us a sign to remind us where we are is exactly where we are supposed to be. This is not something you can explain to anyone; this is something you have to experience for yourself. We thank God every day for Catholic education, especially at Guerin Catholic: starting off each morning with prayer; constant opportunities to receive the sacraments; the focus on service; the rejuvenating retreats and the silent Christlike witness of the teachers. This is the education we choose for our children. This is what will lead them closer to their ultimate goal: Heaven. Joe and I have had three children graduate from St. Maria Goretti and two from Guerin Catholic. They have been through their fair share of hard times, but through it all they have continued to trust. We are confident they are grounded in their faith and are convinced this is due in large part to their Catholic education. Parent Perspective The Barrett Family Seton Scholar Award October 6, 2014 • Washington, D.C. Each year the National Catholic Education Association honors four individuals across the country whose support and service impacts Catholic education and the well-being of our nation’s youth. These four individuals then have a scholarship presented in their honor to a deserving Catholic student in the local community. Katie was blessed to receive this scholarship in Fred Klipsch’s name. She was chosen by several faculty members at Marian University, including President Dan Elsener, to represent Marian University in Washington D.C. and receive this award at the annual Seton Awards Gala this fall. Katie received this award simply doing what Guerin Catholic taught her to do — using her gifts and talents to serve others. Throughout her time at Marian University, Katie has continued to answer the call to serve: volunteering at Cathedral’s soup kitchen; organizing a 5K to support the O’Connor House; serving as the activities director for the College Mentor for Kids Program; and traveling to an orphanage in Guatemala for a summer service immersion. Joe and I were so blessed to take this trip to Washington D.C. to witness Katie receiving this great honor. Katie receiving the Seton Scholar Award.
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy NTMyMjA=