The sociologist and columnist Father Andrew Greeley often remarked that the successes of immigrant families in the 20th century were due to the many free Catholic elementary schools. They educated the children from Italy, Poland, Ireland, Germany and other European nations. Many of these children are today among American leaders in government, industry and the sciences.
The Catholic population in western North Carolina includes a significant share of immigrants from Mexico and many South American countries who are in need of basic education in order to flourish in the United States.
The Church in our diocese and elsewhere has the resources to accomplish for this generation the kind of educational assistance that made our generation thrive.
Let’s begin with English as a Second Language courses for adults and children, and move on to elementary schools.
We are one Church, part of one America, and we can thrive together.
David Galusha is a member of St. Luke Parish in Mint Hill.