Remarks from Mrs. Lucia McQuaide, former Superintendent of Schools for the Diocese of Columbus at our Parents Gathering on Tuesday, August 25:

Did you ever stop to think how many choices you make each day? Starting with what time to get up, what is for breakfast, what is on the schedule that you have to do or want to do, or which route to take wherever you are going.

Some choices are automatic and we do them from habit. Some choices involve food. Some choices are conscious choices like what to wear or prioritizing tasks. It varies from person to person, but it is safe to say we make thousands of choices every day.

However, some are more important than others. For parents many choices involve children. When children are very young these choices are for their health and safety. As children grow, the choices we make have more of an impact on the child and their development.

Did you ever stop and think that one of the most important choices you make is where they will spend the next nine years of their life?

For some, the choice is easy and for others it takes time. But however you reached your decision you are here at Our Lady of Peace Parish School. You have chosen to give your child this gift!

Here at OLP you choose to give your child the gift of forming a personal relationship with God and a foundation for good decision making!

Here at OLPs, because it is a parish school your child is part of a caring, Catholic community where they will grow with their family, peers and parishioners who share the same purpose. Here your child will be challenged and grow academically, but will also grow spiritually, emotionally, and socially.

The faith-based learning environment here will help shape your child to be a responsible and compassionate person. Your child will learn about and receive the sacraments with their friends.

Here there is extended support not only during the school day but after school. You as a parent are always welcome to volunteer, support events and participate in the home-school-parish partnership.

The gift of a parish elementary school education can be passed on from generation to generation. This educational gift gives your child access to the broader Catholic network, scholarships, and higher educational opportunities in the future.

Pope Leo XIV said, “When they are all faithful to their name, a Catholic school will be a place of inclusion, integral formation and human development. By combining faith and culture, they sow the seeds of the future, honor the image of God, and build a better society.”

I know this school. My cousin, Terese Gelonese, taught here for 37 years, more than half her life, and her memory continues to be kept alive “in this place.” The words, “in this place” bring to mind a popular hymn that might be familiar to some of you.

No matter how little time or how much time you gave to your choice of Our Lady of Peace for your child let us all remember these words:

“Let us build a house where love can dwell and all can safely live/ a place where saints and children tell how hearts learn to forgive/ built of hopes and dreams and missions/rock of faith and vault of grace/here the love of Christ shall end divisions.

All are welcome! All are welcome! All are welcome in this place.

Thank you, Cia!