Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Catholic schools exist to form young people so they may grow to become saints.

As an Archdiocese, our collective desire should be for these students to become more than good and successful citizens and scholars. Our hope is of a higher nature—that these students may become saints someday.

This hope impels every school of the Archdiocese, and it hinges on certain factors. The first requirement is a commitment to academic excellence delivered through highly trained and devoted teachers, as well as a rigorous and standards-based academic curriculum. Secondly, the school system must display vitality in finance, governance, marketing and leadership. Above all, this hope rests on the presence of a strong Catholic identity, engaging students in an apprenticeship in Christian living.

When observing the schools throughout the Archdiocese it lifts my heart to see nearly 100 percent of our high school seniors graduate, and over 90 percent of them pursue higher education. As our students at all levels achieve well above average on standardized tests, it gives us all great hope that successful futures await them.

All those involved in the education of our students instill this sense of hope, and to them I am most grateful: pastors, presidents, principals, religious communities, teachers and school staffs, the superintendent and his staff, parents and donors. God bless you all.

Sincerely yours in Christ,
Francis Cardinal George, O.M.I.
Archbishop of Chicago