Graduates will tell you: Catholic education makes a difference

Catholic education is no ordinary education – just ask a Catholic school graduate.

The Catholic Voice reached out to several people who shared how their Catholic education has impacted them in their roles as religious leaders, educators, administrators, legislators, business leaders and more.

Archbishop Michael McGovern, Archbishop of Omaha

Schools: Christ the King Grammar School, St. Ignatius College Prep, both in Chicago

“I am forever grateful to my mother and father for the importance they placed on Catholic education in my life and the lives of my brothers and sisters. We received an excellent education from the Sisters of Mercy and the lay faculty at Christ the King. I was also formed by the Society of Jesus and the faculty in high school. These experiences in Catholic school were foundations for my life as a person, a disciple, and now as a priest and bishop. I am grateful for the sacrifices my parents and others made so I could attend a Catholic school.”

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Shannan Brommer, executive director of Omaha Catholic School Consortium

Schools: Holy Cross School, the former St. Joan of Arc School and Mary Our Queen School in Omaha; St. Mary School in Brownsville, Texas; Marian High School in Omaha

“My parents blessed me and my two brothers with the great gift of Catholic education. My 16 years impacted every aspect of my life. The teachers, the culture and the values inspired my desire to serve, to be committed to growing in my faith and to see every person I encounter as a child of God.

Because of my Catholic school experience, I want the same for others. I strongly believe the more children in our Catholic schools the better our world will be. I am dedicated to ensuring that every child has access to the transformational opportunity I had.”

U.S. Rep. Mike Flood

Schools: Sacred Heart School and Norfolk Catholic High School, both in Norfolk.

“I started at Sacred Heart School in Norfolk, Nebraska, in the St. Mary’s/Sacred Heart Parish in the fall of 1980. I distinctly remember trading holy cards with my friends thanks to Mrs. Bowder. Each of us was given an Advent wreath and candles to take home and share with our families. I remember my excitement at lighting each candle before Christmas knowing two things. Number one: the birth of Jesus was celebrated on the 25th, and more importantly to a second- grader, Santa was bringing presents on that day.

Throughout my Catholic education, I learned more about each sacrament, and I was excited to celebrate with my classmates Reconciliation, First Communion, and Confirmation. 

Catholic education in Nebraska is something special. It’s an option for students and families to grow in your faith while also getting an education. 

My experience at Norfolk Catholic High School challenged me to do my best in every activity I participated in with my classmates. There was academic rigor, and more importantly, constant opportunities to learn more about what being Catholic is all about. 

I pride myself on being able to provide the same education for my two boys and to watch one of them go on to a Catholic university education like I had. I feel very fortunate to have experienced Catholic schools in Norfolk and I’m proud today to be a graduate.” 

Sean Callahan, HuskerOnline publisher, KETV ABC-Omaha, New Radio 1110 KFAB Radio Omaha.

Schools: Sts. Peter and Paul School in Omaha, Daniel J. Gross Catholic High School in Bellevue.

“Daughters Kit, 12, and Carly, 9, attend St. Michael Catholic School in Lincoln. Grandparents attended Sts. Peter and Paul and St. Mary in Omaha and St. Joseph in Atkinson. One of my cousins is the principal of St. Joseph in Atkinson. My dad attended St. Joan of Arc School and Archbishop Ryan High School (both formerly in Omaha, now closed.) 

Catholic schools have been such an important part of my life. The structure and discipline I grew up in attending Catholic schools in Omaha helped develop my work ethic to become the person I am today. The friendships and relationships I made still stick with me.

Attending Catholic schools also has helped shape my family and how we operate. Our daughters attend Catholic schools here in Lincoln and our parish community at St. Michael’s has played such an important role in our day-to-day lives.”

Sister of Mercy Susan Sanders, president of the Sisters of Mercy of the Americas

Schools: St. Ethelreda School, Mother McAuley High School, both in Chicago.

“My Catholic education from grammar school through high school was indeed an ‘education.’ As the Latin origin of the word suggests, I was ‘led away from’ ignorance and self-sufficiency and ‘led forth into’ a lifelong desire for truth, beauty, meaning, and communion with the cosmic all-loving God.

My education was ‘Catholic’ because it helped reveal God’s ‘universal’ love and the invitation to live my life as Jesus did: with prayer and in compassionate Gospel service of others.

For this ‘Catholic education’ then, I thank the Sisters of Mercy. They not only taught me these things but also showed me how to live them as a member of the Sisters of Mercy community. And for this vocation, I thank God!”

Jesuit Father Daniel Hendrickson, president of Creighton University

Schools: Mount Michael Benedictine High School, Elkhorn.

“Catholic education instructed and cultivated the gift of faith in my life, which inspired a vision of the world that is never not graced; values and virtues to strive toward and embrace, particularly those of wisdom and justice; models of service and leadership; and a vocation as a Jesuit priest through which to share my gifts and talents, and to continue learning, loving, and evolving.

My Benedictine education stirred a sense of religious commitment and identity, provided a deep appreciation for liturgy, taught me to listen, and offered experiences of connectivity and transcendence. My Jesuit education reinforced an image of religious life, taught skills of discernment and thoughtfulness, offered through the Spiritual Exercises as a personal friendship with Jesus; and exhibited compelling pathways of ministry in local and global contexts. In both Catholic educational charisms – that of the Benedictines and the Jesuits – academic excellence, especially through the Catholic intellectual tradition; sacramental expression; and fullness in the life of the Church were always foundational.”

Cardinal Blase Cupich, Archbishop of Chicago

Schools: Sts. Peter and Paul School, the former Archbishop Ryan High School, both in Omaha.

“My education at all levels from primary grades to graduate studies has been in Catholic institutions. This life-long experience of Catholic education has prepared me for leadership in the Church by giving me the capacity for critical thinking as well as an appreciation of reading history as the place where God is present and active. Likewise, the friendships that I have made in these years have become a community of on-going learning that continues to support and enrich my life and ministry.”

Michael Donohue, owner of Donohue’s Pub in Omaha

Schools: St. Thomas More School in Omaha, Daniel J. Gross Catholic High School in Bellevue.

“I truly believe my Catholic education started when my parents made the decision to bring me to Mass at a very early age. Their commitment to the Catholic faith continued by sending me and all of my siblings to Catholic grade school and high school.

My earliest memories from grade school revolve around my First Reconciliation, and then the excitement of receiving Jesus for the first time in First Communion. The teachers at St. Thomas More all showed and taught with faith as a guiding principal. Sowing seeds of faith at a young age is very important in faith growing and becoming a true part of one’s daily life.

After leaving 12 years of Catholic schools and attending college at (the University of Nebraska-Lincoln), I watched several people I knew decide that going to Mass no longer needed to be part of their week. I always remembered being taught that it was important to give at least an hour a week to God.

As I transitioned to work life after college, having a strong sense of right and wrong always was important to me. I feel like that was instilled in me through my Catholic education. As the owner of a pub and grill, I feel like the best thing that I can do is to try to lead by example. In the environment that I live in every day, preaching to people will get me nowhere, but if I can show my faith through my actions, I think it will go a long way.”

Don Kleine, Douglas County Attorney

Schools: the former St. Adalbert School and Creighton Preparatory School, both in Omaha.

“I went to grade school at a small Catholic school in south Omaha, Saint Adalbert. The example of the devoted sisters of Notre Dame taught me the virtues of discipline, hard work, and unselfishness.

They, along with Father Fitzgerald, were great role models. Daily Mass attendance taught me the importance of daily prayer and devotion and helps me to this day to realize what’s important in life.

Getting a Jesuit education at Creighton Prep for high school was the next step in my Catholic education. The Jesuits taught me the importance of AMDG, Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam, ‘for the greater glory of God,’ from St. Ignatius and his teachings. This means to seek God’s greater glory in everything, to strive for more in generosity and service, to do better, to find God’s presence in every aspect of life.

I realize I don’t always live up to the values I have learned in my Catholic education but know I must strive for the virtues, with God’s help, in my work, my family and the treatment of others.”