Posted on 03/21/2010 12:07:24 AM PDT by Arthur McGowan
To the Editor:
A common image of Christ throughout Christianity is that of the "Good Shepherd." Christ compared Himself to a shepherd and stated that, "I know my sheep and my sheep know me."
As Catholics, we believe that the bishop of a diocese acts in Christ's place as a shepherd for the people. This is symbolized by the bishop's crozier (a staff that resembles a shepherd's staff). This week the students in the Catholic schools of Schuylkill County have been able to witness the shepherding actions of their bishop, Bishop John Barres.
On Monday, Bishop Barres visited St. Stephen Regional School. The students anxiously awaited his arrival and met him with a rousing welcome song. Then the preschool sang their Hallelujah song and the fifth- and sixth-graders did a play about Elijah. The rest of the visit was a wonderful interaction between the bishop and the children.
The bishop began by speaking to the entire student body, talking to them and explaining to them the importance of a Catholic education and how important their faith will be for their entire lives. He then gave each student, one by one, a token of his visit - a card depicting him as a bishop on one side and a basketball player on the other side. He explained to the students how all things can lead to God and how basketball helped him become who he is today.
Our student council led Bishop Barres on a tour of the school and he and Father Kiefer had lively discussions as they visited each grade. The bishop then sat down for a school lunch.
Ten lucky students - one from each grade - preschool through grade 8 had won a seat at the bishop's table. As I watched the bishop, I was amazed at how easily he managed conversation with all the children at the table - from the 4-year-old to the 13-year-old. Each child had a chance to speak, and I could tell that they were in awe of our bishop.
Our time with the bishop ended all too quickly, as he said goodbye and departed for the next school and later a basketball clinic. As our students left for the day, they were all talking about the bishop. "The bishop is awesome," I heard from many students as they talked among themselves relating the wonderful events of the day.
Part of Bishop Barres' message to the students was his care and concern for the people in his diocese. He asked the students to tell their parents that he prays for them every day and is grateful to them for all the sacrifices they make for Catholic education.
His actions throughout his visit were those of a shepherd - loving concern for his flock. Our bishop cares about his people and is doing his best to get to know us, and hopefully, that will help us get to know him. He had a genuine delight in the children and they recognized it and want to know when he will be back.
Pope Benedict blessed the Allentown Diocese when he appointed John Barres as our bishop. His love for his people is evident in his interactions with his flock and his whirlwind schedule of visitations to parishes and schools.
Being a bishop carries tremendous responsibility, as the bishop is the spiritual leader of our diocese. He is ultimately responsible to Christ for the souls of his people, for enriching the relationship of the people with Christ, their Savior, and getting the message of Christ's love out to all. This is his vocation, his calling, and he revels in it.
Our time with the bishop was a wonderful treat. We feel blessed to have such a dedicated man of God come to us and bring us the message of God's love for us. Our prayers are with our bishop, who is truly our shepherd, just as Christ wished.
Mildred T. Scarbinsky
Principal
St. Stephen Regional School
Port Carbon
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