"It is a great pleasure to be here this morning in recognition of Catholic Education Week. Academic excellence has always been an important facet at Our Lady of Victory, developing the mind, instilling in its students factual knowledge of the world, expanding their acquaintance with the rigors of science, art and literature and all those disciplines understood and appreciated through the light of reason.

"This, of course, is the foundation of any good educational program. But Catholic education is unique in that it takes into account the whole nature of the human personality, its spiritual dimension and a view that a belief in a personal God is essential to every phase of human endeavor.

"This is the good news in Catholic education and the good news here in Our Lady of Victory. For what benefit is there for our minds to plumb the mysteries of the atom if our hearts remain unenlightened to the truths of the Sermon on the Mount?

"So while academic achievement is critically important at Our Lady of Victory Parish School, it is also mindful that the lives of its students reflect the values and principles of Christian living. For education nourishes not only the mind but also the soul; it must teach not only how to make a living but how to make a life.

"You know it's been said that if you want to touch the past, touch a rock and reflect on the great expanse of time by which the elements concentrated into a solid mass.

"If you want to touch the present, touch a rose, breathe in its fragrance and marvel at the beauty and wonder of the world.

"But if you want to touch the future - touch a life.

"Over the years at Our Lady of Victory Parish School, literally thousands of young lives have been touched and blessed by those committed to Catholic education. I want to especially congratulate the administration, the faculty, the staff and all those dedicated and caring individuals for creating and sustaining a foundation that made this achievement possible.

"As an act of gratitude and thanksgiving, we would like to present this proclamation declaring the week of January 28 to be Catholic School Week in the Inc. Village of Floral Park."

On Jan. 30, Our Lady of Victory Parish lost a great friend and advocate in Sister Barbara who passed away fittingly, in some respects, during Catholic School Education Week. Sister Barbara was the director of religious education at Our Lady of Victory and her devotion had a profound and enduring effect on the teachers and children in whom she provoked the tenderest affections.

As is the vision of the Sisters of Saint Joseph, to which she belonged, she aspired to a life that is simple, prayerful, courageous and compassionate. Her life was all this and more and those who knew and loved her find liberation from their grief by the solvent of prayer and in their faith that those who work in the vineyards of the Lord, labor not in vain.