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Faith Focus

Welcoming the Stranger

Welcoming the stranger can mean many things. For Ashley, a student at Saint Agnes Catholic School in St. Paul, the fact that her longtime friend, Katie, is from a different country has never struck her as a reason not to be friends. Ashley said their friendship grew out of kindness and trust toward each other. Ashley also said that Katie welcomed her to the school when she first arrived. Now, Ashley said both her and Katie are thriving, despite both being a stranger at their school at different times. This is one example of how the students, faculty and staff of our Catholic schools welcome the stranger among us.

 

Our teachers strive to cultivate a warm and welcoming environment for each student.

 

In the context of the Catholic school classroom, all voices are valued. Our teachers strive to cultivate a warm and welcoming environment for each student, in all the uniqueness and beauty that make each of them who they are. Academically, all students are given maximum support in their learning environments. When parents have concerns, they know their voices will always meet the listening ears of the faculty and staff of our Catholic schools.

In the parable of the Good Samaritan, Jesus challenged his listeners not to let personal differences become excuses for withholding welcome from others. We are blessed that our Catholic schools welcome all who cross their threshold, and take to heart Jesus’ command to love all people.

May Jesus’ light grow in our hearts so that we bring it to all we encounter, until we are strangers no more.

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