Cardinal Timothy Dolan offered a welcome message to the approximately 50,000 Catholic school students in the Archdiocese of New York, by expressing his gratitude to all who make Catholic education possible.

“It’s fitting for me to thank Almighty God and all of you for the gift of our Catholic schools,” Cardinal Dolan said in a video message shared via The Good Newsroom. 

Students return to the classroom at the archdiocese’s 156 schools on Thursday, September 5. 

“Thank you, devoted teachers, aides, staff, our principals and presidents, our pastors and priests, our boards, for your radiant commitment and leadership. Thank you, moms and dads, grandparents, godparents, and generous benefactors for supporting this most noble endeavor of Catholic education. And thank you, students, for the trust you place in us,” Cardinal Dolan said.

He concluded his welcome message with a final expression of thanks.

“Most of all, I thank you, Dear Lord. After all, it was the best teacher ever, the Son of God, the Way, the Truth, and the Life, who told us as His final words before returning to Heaven, ‘Go teach all nations!’”

In an earlier interview with The Good Newsroom, Sister Mary Grace Walsh, Superintendent of Schools, offered some tips to students for the upcoming year, especially the first few days.

“Be patient with yourself. Give yourselves time to ease back into the school year. Make sure that you get plenty of sleep. Eat nutritious meals. Just take it one day at a time,” Sister Mary Grace said.