On the Second Sunday of Easter in the Jubilee Year 2000, St. John Paul II announced that from that day forward the octave day of Easter — which is this Sunday, April 8 — would be known as the ”Sunday of Divine Mercy.”

In the 1990 statement, “In Support of Catholic Elementary and Secondary Schools,” and repeated in the 2005 statement, “Renewing Our Commitment to Catholic Elementary and Secondary Schools in the Third Millennium,” the bishops of the United States made three ambitious commitments:

1. Catholic schools will continue to provide a Gospel-based education of the highest quality.

2. Catholic schools will be available, accessible, and affordable.

3. Catholic schools will be staffed by highly qualified administrators and teachers who would receive just wages and benefits.

En la declaración de 1990 “En apoyo de las escuelas primarias y secundarias católicas”, y repetida en la declaración de 2005 “Renovando nuestro compromiso con las escuelas primarias y secundarias católicas en el Tercer Milenio”, los obispos de los Estados Unidos asumieron tres compromisos ambiciosos:

1. Las escuelas católicas continuarán proporcionando una educación de la más alta calidad y basada en el Evangelio.

2. Las escuelas católicas estarán disponibles a todos y serán accesibles y económicas.

3. Las escuelas católicas serán atendidas por administradores y maestros altamente calificados que recibirán salarios y beneficios justos.

When you listen once again to St. Luke’s account of the birth of Jesus at Mass on Christmas, give some attention to the situation of the innkeeper.