DIOCESE OF ORANGE DEPARTMENT OF CATHOLIC SCHOOLS
13280
CHAPMAN AVENUE , GARDEN GROVE , CA
14 December 2022
Dear OC Catholic School Community, Peace be with you! As we anticipate the Birth of Our Lord these final weeks of Advent, I wanted to take a few moments to express my gratitude to each of you for the role you play in supporting Catholic education in the Diocese of Orange. Catholic schools have played an important part of our nation’s history for over 200 years; our schools have educated and formed Church, civic, and business leaders with strong Christian values and a sense of service to those in need. Throughout the challenges of the past few years, Catholic schools have shown how community focused, mission-driven leadership can benefit children. A few months ago, the 2022 National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) highlighted the academic achievements of Catholic schools across the nation. As stated in a news report, “Today, the divergence between Catholic schools and public ones is so great that if all U.S. Catholic schools were a state, their 1.6 million students would rank first in the nation across the NAEP reading and math tests for fourth and eighth grader.” These great achievements can only be accomplished when we all work together to further our mission. And so, I want to thank you for the important role you play in our Catholic schools. To our teachers and staff: Thank you for sharing your knowledge, faith, and love with our students. You are the embodiment of truth, goodness, and beauty to our young people, and I am grateful for your commitment to your vocation as a Catholic school teacher.
E RIN C. O. B ARISANO , E D . D.
S UPE RINTE ND E NT OF C ATHOLIC S CHOOLS OFFICE : 714-282-3056 FAX : 714-282-4276 E - MAIL : EBARISANO@RCBO.ORG
To our principals, pastors and school leaders: Thank you for your courageous and faith-filled leadership. Your commitment to mission is inspiring. To our parents, grandparents, and guardians: Thank you for choosing and supporting Catholic education for your child/ren. You help us create a strong sense of community within our schools. To our students: Thank you for your openness to learning and growing in knowledge and faith. Thank you for working hard and for sharing the best parts of yourself with your teachers and classmates as you become the person God created you to be. During this season of Advent, we reflect on the gifts of Hope, Peace, Joy, and Love. Catholic schools are a beautiful source of these gifts today and throughout the year. And so, as we prepare our hearts for Christmas, let us remember these words, “Behold, the virgin shall be with child and bear a son, and they shall name him Emmanuel, which means God is with us.” (Matthew 1:23) During these busy days, may we remember that God is with us always. Merry Christmas! In mission,
Erin C.O. Barisano, Ed. D.
Superintendent of Schools Diocese of Orange