Our Lord spoke often about serving others as part of discipleship. In John 12:26 we read: “Whoever serves me must follow me, and where I am, there also will my servant be. The Father will honor whoever serves me.” In Mark 10:45 Jesus says, “For the Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many.” He sets a clear example for us: serve others joyfully.
The purpose of Catholic education is not only to open the mind to receive knowledge, but also to help the student grow in virtue. Catholic schools put a great deal of focus on service so that students may “practice what they preach,” that is, they might live out the Gospel and virtues they are learning about in school.
If we want to transform the culture, it is crucial that we raise children who understand that serving others joyfully is a blessed call of discipleship in Jesus Christ. With a Catholic education, parents can be assured that many opportunities to serve will be presented, and that when a student does a service project, that student will be reminded of how their actions impact the Church and the entire world.