A commitment to keep our schoolchildren safe

I am always mindful of the beginning of a new school year -­ school administration, faculties and families preparing their children for the year ahead. I enjoy blessing students' backpacks, as well as personally blessing our students, their families, administration, educators and volunteers—all in the Church who support the mission of our schools, for it is the very mission of Jesus.
We are blessed to support quality Catholic education and to participate in the ongoing faith formation of our school communities. We support the opportunities for our school communities to be formed as disciples of Jesus. When asked to bless backpacks, I invoke God's blessing for an increase in faith and knowledge—and to put that faith and knowledge into practice by living the love of Jesus. Moreover, I also invoke God's blessing for the safety and protection upon our school communities.
As we have seen in the tragic aftermath of the shooting at Annunciation Parish Church in Minneapolis, we are saddened and our hearts and prayers reach out to their church and school community, mourning the loss of children, bringing healing to the injured and wounded, accompanying all in hardship and pain—­with our hope and help in the Lord.
This tragedy challenges us as Church to provide, not only a quality Catholic education and faith formation, but also a safe environment for our school communities. I have spoken to our Superintendent, Mr. Chad Barwick and we encouraged our Catholic schools to share with you their commitment to keeping your children safe through regular drills, review of safety and security plans and continued collaboration with locallaw enforcement. This recent tragedy challenges our schools to always be vigilant in implementing our school safety and security plans and practice to be ready if such a threat may occur.
As your shepherd, I speak for the Archdiocese of Mobile that we are committed to the pastoral care and safety of the flock and all who are visiting our schools and parishes. We will be vigilant and continue to enhance, by best practices, the safety and security plans of all of our churches and schools. I encourage our parish congregations and schools to practice safety and security plan protocols.
If you have further inquiries about how your school keeps its community safe and maintains security, please contact the administration of the school for a conversation. Though they can't give specific details about threat abatement, they can assure you of continual training and improvement to mitigate threats.
Please join with me in praying for our school communities. May the Lord bless them in their new academic year and keep them safe in God's loving care.