Newspaper Page Text
Thursday, January 27, 2000
601 E. Liberty St.
Savannah, GA
31401-5196
Letters
FAX: (912) 238-2339
E-mail:
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On John Rocker
Dear Editor,
T he John Rocker Affair reveals
troubling realities that bear seri
ous consideration and that demand
curative action.
It is sad but it comes as no sur
prise that bigotry founded on lam
entable ignorance finds a voice in
Mr. Rocker. Ignorance is almost
always the cause of prejudice. In
too many instances we choose to
despise cultures and behaviors that
are new to us or that we do not
comprehend, rather than seeking
some understanding of them. This is
a slovenly approach to life; it is
laziness grown into words and
actions which are, the right to free
speech notwithstanding, dehumaniz
ing and hurtful. In far too many
instances when we attack others
who may not share our traditions
and values, we are actually reveal
ing our own inadequacies and short
comings.
Far more troubling, from my per
spective, is that we have created a
culture in which the words of a
still-wet-behind-the-ears entertain
er—Mr. Rocker entertains us with
his ball-throwing ability, that’s all—
can have such impact. Rather than
recognizing and rewarding the deep
and lasting value in the contribu
tions of teachers, nurses, and artists,
we lionize those who provide us
with mere temporary diversions
which contribute nothing to the bet
terment of our society. We pay
grown-ups obscenely inflated wages
to play games while we fret about
raising by two percent the niggardly
salaries of the men and women who
are charged with teaching our chil
dren, curing our illnesses, and creat
ing great works of art. We devote
entire newspaper sections to sports
and feature photographs of those
who win athletic scholarships while
no notice even remotely as expan
sive is provided for those who actu
ally get into colleges and universi
ties based on their intellectual skills.
As long as our society chooses to
value the abilities of a ball thrower
over those of a biology teacher, we
will have more such incidents. Mr.
Rocker is a grotesque creature of
our own making. We paid him the
salary of an important person and
told him he was a great value to us
and guess what: he believed us. Dr.
Frankenstein would be proud.
Father Michael J. Kavanaugh
Pastor, Our Lady of Lourdes
Port Wentworth
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Catholic Schools Week
(Continued from page 1)
from flags to T-shirts and sweatshirts
may be personalized so that educators
can customize their marketing efforts.
Television commercials which pro
mote the values of a Catholic sec
ondary education also are available.
A popular campaign poster, which
has been adapted for billboard and
print advertisements, features a majes
tic sunrise. The headline reads: “Let
There Be Light (And Faith. And
Knowledge. And A Future Without
Limits.)”
Members of the National Marketing
Committee include Sister Lourdes
Sheehan, RSM; Reverend William
Davis, USCC Representative for
The Southern Cross, Page 11
Federal Assistance for Catholic
Schools; Ms. Regina Haney, executive
director, National Association of
Catholic Boards of Education; Dr.
Robert Kealey, executive director,
Department of Elementary Schools
and Daniel Curtin, executive director,
Chief Administrators of Catholic
Education (CACE).
NCEA is the largest private, profes
sional education association in the
world. Founded in 1904, the associa
tion’s membership represents more
than 200,000 educators serving 7.6
million students at all levels of
Catholic education. USCC is the
national public policy organization of
the bishops in the United States.
Catholic Schools Week Q & A
Where is Catholic Schools Week celebrated? CSW is celebrated in com
munities across the U.S. that have Catholic elementary and secondary schools.
State governors, big city mayors, and small town councils have joined in to
proclaim “Catholic Schools Week” in their localities year after year.
When is National Appreciation Day for Catholic Schools observed?
National Appreciation Day falls on the Wednesday of Catholic Schools Week
(this year: February 2). This event was founded in 1990 to encourage Catholic
school supporters nationwide to showcase the great accomplishments and con
tributions of Catholic schools to our country. On this day in particular, advo
cates are urged to wear a button showing their support.
When is National Appreciation Day for Catholic School Teachers
observed? This day in honor of the 167,000 Catholic school teachers nation
wide is scheduled on Friday of Catholic Schools Week (this year: February 4).
When did the National Marketing Campaign for Catholic Schools
begin? In 1991-92, NCEA and USCC established a national marketing cam
paign, designed to promote Catholic schools year round. Thus a theme and
logo advancing Catholic education is used daily, not only during Catholic
Schools Week.
Benedictine Military School
Benedicitne Military School, an all-male Catholic high school in Savannah,
will give a placement test for incoming 9th graders on February 5.
Prospective students should report by 8:15 a.m., bringing a $25.00 testing fee.
Reservations can be made by phone through the Guidance Office at
Benedictine (912-356-3505), or by completing one of the cards available at the
individual parochial schools or at the Guidance Office at Benedictine
Saint Vincent’s Academy
Saint Vincent’s Academy, an all-female Catholic high school in Savannah,
will hold an open house for incoming 9th graders on January 30 from 1:00 to
3:00 p.m., with a presentation from 1:00 to 2:00 p.m. in Walsh Hall. The place
ment exam for incoming 9th graders will be given Saturday, February 5 from
8:30 a.m. to noon. A $15.00 non-refundable testing fee is due the day of testing.
Concerned about the movies your
kids are seeing?
Call 1-800-341-4222
for the Catholic Film Office
rating.
THE CATHOLIC
COMMUNICATION
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