Reflects on importance of excellence in Catholic education
By Pamela Seal
Diocese of Lake Charles
LAKE CHARLES –– Catholic school students in the Diocese of Lake Charles were treated to an impromptu piano performance by His Excellency, Bishop Glen John Provost, following the annual Catholic Schools Week Mass in the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception on January 29.
He was eager to grant the request of a student asking him to play but not before inquiring if anyone in the audience knew which famous composer’s birthday occurred a couple of days prior on January 27.
plays the piano following the annual Catholic Schools Week Mass in the
Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception on January 29.
St. Louis Catholic High School senior, Colin Tanner, shouted, “Mozart!” from the choir loft where he had been singing earlier with the St. Louis choir for the Mass.
In honor of the bishop’s favorite composer, His Excellency played a piece from Mozart’s Andante much to the delight of the students, teachers and principals gathered.
Since childhood, Bishop Provost (now 75) has studied music, enjoys playing the piano, and served as house organist at the seminaries where he attended in high school and college.
In celebration of National Catholic Schools Week –– this year held January 26-February 1 –– Bishop Provost officiated a special Mass for seniors from St. Louis Catholic High and eighth-grade students from the other five Catholic schools in the Diocese of Lake Charles. Music was provided by choir students from St. Louis and Our Lady Queen of Heaven Catholic School.
Seeking the intercession of St. Thomas Aquinas, patron of schools and universities, students, philosophers, theologians, apologists, academics, and chastity, the bishop reflected on the importance of excellence in Catholic education.
“We speak of excellence in education, but what does excellence mean for a school that is Catholic?” His Excellency asked, noting that the primary role is to instill in students a knowledge of the love of Jesus Christ.
of Lake Charles attend the annual Catholic Schools Week
Mass on Wednesday, January 29, in the Cathedral of the
Immaculate Conception.
“Excellence means doing something well. Excellence tells us we are dealing with something above average. Catholic education is excellent only when it meets the criteria set down for us by Christ himself,” he explained.
Referencing the Gospel of Mark 4:1-20 when Jesus tells the Twelve Apostles, “The mystery of the Kingdom of God has been granted to you,” Bishop Provost said that those words are challenging to him because all bishops descend from the Apostles.
“The message is challenging because Jesus wants his bishops to grasp the mysteries before anyone else,” he remarked, “so that those mysteries can be explained and taught to those who will come to believe in Jesus Christ.”
Redirecting his focus to Catholic Schools Week, Bishop Provost said, “Catholic schools are the extension of the teaching office of bishops, the successors of the Apostles. ... We are all teachers, but teachers in Catholic schools have an added responsibility.”
The bishop also emphasized to the students that their place in Catholic schools is all part of God’s plan.
Prompting the teachers and students to recognize that they are called to excellence, not mediocrity, the bishop said, “True excellence consists in embracing the call of Jesus Christ to grasp the mystery of the Kingdom of God.”
After Mass, Bishop Provost invited the students to ask him questions. They learned that St. Thomas Aquinas is among his favorite saints, the Eucharistic Prayer is his favorite part of the Mass, and a few of his favorite scriptures are Psalm 23, the Sermon on the Mount, and the beginning of St. Luke’s Gospel during Advent.
When asked what advice he has for Catholics wanting to grow in their faith, Bishop Provost responded succinctly, “Make time for Catholicism. Go to Mass. Study what the Church teaches and follow Her advice.”
Another student requested the bishop’s advice for those who are leaders in their schools. “Be clear minded. Never act on impulse. Give your actions solid thought and prayer, then act decisively,” he said.
Bishop Provost shared that he could remember wanting to be a doctor before he considered entering the seminary when he was in high school. He also added that he thought about being an archaeologist, a musician, and a teacher. However, there were signs that led him to the path of priesthood.
“I knew a lot of dedicated priests and admired them. (Bishop Provost grew up in the Diocese of Lafayette.) I read a lot of history. When you read history and you are honest, you become a Catholic,” he remarked. “It made sense for me to become a priest.”
Concelebrating the Mass with Bishop Provost were the Very Rev. Ruben Buller, V.G., Pastor of the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception; and the Very Rev. Keith Pellerin, Pastor of Our Lady Help of Christians Catholic Church in Jennings. The Very Rev. Joseph Caraway, Chancellor, served as master of ceremonies.
Catholic schools in the Diocese of Lake Charles are St. Louis Catholic High School, Immaculate Conception Cathedral School, St. Margaret of Scotland Catholic School, and Our Lady Queen of Heaven Catholic School, all in Lake Charles; Our Lady’s Catholic School in Sulphur; and Our Lady Immaculate Catholic School in Jennings.
The annual Catholic Schools Week Mass was coordinated by Sister Maura Clare Mayock, R.S.M., Director of the Office of Religious Education for the Diocese of Lake Charles.
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School representatives joining Bishop Glen John Provost in the Baptistry of the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception before the Catholic Schools Week Mass on January 29 are front row, from left, Lyvie Rosteet (OLS), Brooks Burleigh (ICCS), Tran Do (OLQH), Abigail Williams (SLCHS), Madison Chapman (OLI), and Alice Moreno (SMCS). Back row, from left, are Charis Bentley (ICCS), Raleigh Chapman (SMCS), Landry Taylor (OLS), Nathan Ughovwa (SLCHS), Jackson Downs (OLQH), and Abram Powell (OLI).
