From staff reports
More than 1,000 teachers, administrators, and faculty members from Catholic schools across the Diocese of Dallas gathered Jan. 16 at John Paul II High School in Plano for a diocesan in-service gathering centered on Innovation in Education.
The day featured two rounds of breakout sessions led by educators and university experts and a keynote from Geri Campeau, a longtime Catholic educator and Apple education executive, who urged schools to embrace future‑ready learning while staying rooted in their mission.
Jeannette Lambert, superintendent of Diocese of Dallas Catholic schools, said she was thrilled with both the turnout and the energy surrounding the meeting, noting the commitment to innovation and lifelong learning reflects the shared dedication of Catholic educators across the diocese.
“Our teachers and leaders show every day how deeply they care about forming students in faith and excellence,” she said. “Seeing them come together with such enthusiasm for new ideas and forward‑thinking practice affirms the bright future of our schools.”
Bishop Edward J. Burns celebrated Mass for those gathered, urging educators to recognize their vocation as a mission of the Church, calling them to form students not only academically but in mind, heart, and soul. He reminded them that, like the friends who carried the paralyzed man to Jesus, Catholic educators are entrusted each day with carrying their students — especially those who struggle — toward Christ through faith, excellence, and loving accompaniment.
The text of Bishop Burns’ homily follows:
“Today, I want to begin with one simple message: Thank you.
Thank you for the sacrifices that no one sees. Thank you for the patience, the preparation, the long hours, and the steady love you pour into your students. Thank you for choosing not only a profession but a vocation, because Catholic education is more than work. It is a mission of the Church.
And I want you to know: As your bishop, I am deeply grateful. Our Catholic schools are one of the great blessings of our diocese. They strengthen families, form young disciples, and build a future rooted in truth and faithfulness.
Today, we gather for this in-service day to reflect on excellence — and on growing in our faith. That is a powerful combination, because in Catholic education, excellence is not simply ‘high standards.’ Excellence is forming the whole person — mind, heart, and soul — so that every child comes to know who they are, whose they are, and why they were created, that they are called to be disciples of Jesus Christ and that God, created them in His image. All of you help awaken in our students that reality. They are loved by God, and they are called to love others. Thank you for doing it.
In Mark chapter 2, we learned that Jesus had returned to Capernaum. People then learned that he was at home. Jesus is preaching the word to them in a crowded house. People are pressing in. The room is full. No one can get near Him.
Then, we hear about a paralyzed man — someone who cannot walk to Jesus on his own.
And what happens? Four friends take responsibility. They do not say, ‘This is too hard.’ They do not say, ‘Someone else will help.’
They do not say, ‘It’s not our problem.’
Instead, they carry him.
They bring him to the house. They find the crowd blocking the way. They climb up on the roof. They open it; and they lower him down — right in front of Jesus.
Then, the Gospel says something truly remarkable:
‘When Jesus saw their faith …’
Not only the faith of the paralyzed man — but their faith. The faith of the ones carrying him. The faith of the ones doing the work.
The faith of the ones refusing to give up.
My brothers and sisters, that is Catholic education.
Every day in our schools, you are among the ones who carry.
You carry students who are struggling academically. You carry students who are anxious, distracted, or discouraged. You carry students who are dealing with grief, family pressures, loneliness, or confusion. You carry students who are gifted and need to be challenged. You carry students who are searching for meaning and belonging.
And sometimes, you have to realize, you are carrying more than a lesson plan. Sometimes, you are carrying the hope of a child. The Gospel tells us that when Jesus looks at those four friends, He does not only see effort. He sees effort rooted in faith.
Excellence means bringing students to Jesus — and Jesus to students.
In our world, excellence often means performance: scores, achievements, rankings, trophies.
Those things have their place. We want our students to work hard and grow. We want strong academics, disciplined habits, and real success.
And Catholic excellence is deeper than performance. It’s not just about getting students into a good college. It’s about helping them become good and holy people.
Catholic excellence means bringing our children to Jesus Christ and bringing Jesus Christ to them.
That happens in the classroom, when truth is taught with love. It happens in discipline, when correction is rooted in dignity. It happens in encouragement, when a child believes again because an adult did not give up. It happens in prayer, when a young heart learns how to speak to God. It happens in Mass, when students discover that Jesus is not an idea — He is present, and He is close.
And what does Jesus do when the paralyzed man is lowered down?
He surprises everyone. He says, ‘Child, your sins are forgiven.’
Jesus begins with the heart.
He teaches us something essential: Real healing is not only physical or academic or emotional — real healing is spiritual.
You are not only educators; you are evangelizers. You are not only instructors; you are witnesses. You are not only teaching subjects; you are helping form souls.
Your witness matters more than you know.
In that moment, some in the crowd begin to question Jesus. They doubt. They criticize. They resist.
And that also is familiar, isn’t it?
Not everyone understands the mission of Catholic education. Not everyone values faith. Not everyone supports what we are trying to do.
When people find out that you are a Catholic school teacher, you may be met with such comments as, ‘What? Are you crazy?’
But when Jesus is met by doubt, criticism, and resistance, he does not back away. He confirms His power; and then He speaks the words of restoration:
‘Rise, pick up your mat, and go home.’
That is what you do for every student entrusted to us: that they can rise — with confidence, with character, with faith — and go forward into the world, knowing they are loved by God, and called to live with purpose.
And you, dear teachers and staff, are part of how that happens. Our schools are the places where our students meet Jesus Christ and makes them whole! This is where they discover who they are as disciples. Our Catholic schools our sacred because of Christ’s presence, and a presence that exists through you.
Many of our students will believe in their own future because you believed in them first. Many will learn to pray, because they saw you pray. Many will discover mercy, because you showed them patience. Many will find stability, because your classroom was a safe and faithful place.
Sometimes, you will never know how much your witness mattered, but Jesus knows, and the Gospel teaches us that He sees it clearly:
‘When Jesus saw their faith …’
So today I want to encourage you.
First: You are not alone. The Church is with you. Your diocese is with you. The superintendent is with you. I am with you.
Second: What you do matters eternally. In a world that can be noisy and divided and filled with resistance, you are helping young people discover truth and goodness.
Third: Do not lose heart. Some days you will feel tired. Some days you will wonder if you are making a difference. Some days you will feel stretched thin.
In those moments, remember the roof. Remember the efforts made by faith.
Remember those friends carrying the one who could not walk. You may feel like you are doing small things — one lesson, one conversation, one correction, one kind word, one prayer.
But in the hands of God, these “small things” become the path that brings a child to Jesus. Do not underestimate the power of the mustard seed, the little things you do.
It is a privilege for me to be here and to ask God‘s blessing upon all of you and your in-service day. I pray that today renews you — not just professionally but spiritually.
We should always pursue excellence: not an excellence that is anxious or driven by fear but an excellence that is rooted in Jesus Christ.
Because excellence in Catholic education is not perfection. It is faithfulness. It is integrity. It is love. It is doing the best we can for the glory of God and the good of our students.
In a moment, we will come to this altar, where Jesus offers Himself to us completely.
And I want you to hear this clearly today:
Your work is holy. Your mission is essential. Your profession is a vocation. Our schools are a blessing to our diocese. They are sacred places.
Thank you for carrying our students. Thank you for opening doors when crowds stand in the way. Thank you for helping young people rise — in knowledge, in virtue, and in faith.
May the Lord strengthen you, fill you with joy, and bless you throughout this school year.
And may Mary, Seat of Wisdom, pray for you and for all our Catholic schools.
Amen.”