Wuerl Holds Mass for Catholic School Educators

In a mass for Catholic school principals, teachers and staff Monday, Washington Archbishop Cardinal Donald Wuerl honored educators as they begin the new school year.

The mass was held at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception. In a homily, Wuerl told educators they had a special role, according to a release from the archdiocese.

"What gives such significance to the role of each teacher in every one of our Catholic schools is the special place you have in God’s plan that his word would reach young people today," he said. The teachers are “part of a continuum that reaches all the way back to those first Apostles who heard the command, ‘Go and make disciples of all nations.’” 

The archdiocese's Deacon Bert L’Homme, superintendent of Catholic schools, also honored schools and staffers celebrating milestones, including St. Mary of the Mills School in Laurel (marking 120 years) and St. Jerome Academy in Hyattsville (marking 70 years), according to a release

Among those honored for 25 years of service in Catholic schools: Renee Duckworth and Patricia Lutz of St Vincent Pallotti High in Laurel and Margaret Hubbard in the Catholic schools office in Hyattsville

Among those honored for 30 years of service: Steve Barti of Sait Bartholomew School in Bethesda