Bright Lights of Catholic Education
Bright Lights of Catholic Education
Reflection by Dr. Steven F. Cheeseman, NCEA President/CEO
Spanning 65 counties across Mississippi, the Diocese of Jackson is a remarkably expansive and deeply mission-driven Catholic school community. Serving nearly 3,400 students across 18 schools and learning centers, with 100 percent participation in NCEA membership, the diocese reflects a strong, unified commitment to Catholic education. Guided by Bishop Joseph R. Kopacz and strengthened by the recent appointment of Mrs. Joni House as Executive Director of Catholic Education, the Office of Catholic Education supports learning communities that form disciples who pursue academic excellence in a Christ-centered environment. Across parishes, schools, and early learning centers, the Diocese of Jackson stands out for its collaborative leadership, clear mission, and belief that every student is uniquely gifted and called to serve God and His kingdom.
Diocese of Jackson
When I began the “Bright Lights of Catholic Education Tour,” my goal was to witness the unique ways the Holy Spirit is moving through our schools. But every so often, a trip comes along that doesn’t just meet expectations; it completely blows them away. My recent visit to the Diocese of Jackson, Mississippi, was exactly that. It was a whirlwind, a joy, and a profound reminder that when we say Catholic schools form the “whole child,” we are talking about a transformative reality that starts in the nursery and carries through to graduation.
The tone for the trip was set the moment I stepped off the plane at the tiny GTR airport. In a moment of pure Southern hospitality and creative flair, I was met by a music teacher from Annunciation Catholic School dressed as a limo driver, complete with a tuxedo shirt and a personalized NCEA sign. It was the first of many times I would find myself saying “wow” over the next forty-eight hours.
Our first stop was Annunciation Catholic School in Columbus. Walking through those halls, I felt a powerful sense of intentionality in the way teachers were instructing students. In the cafeteria, I saw seventh graders engaged in a brilliant interdisciplinary lesson. They were mastering fractions not by staring at a chalkboard, but by scaling and cooking recipes for the school. It was a perfect example of how our schools turn “head knowledge” into “hand knowledge.” And the cookies and muffins I got to sample later in the day were amazing!
That spirit of hands-on learning extended into their STREAM lab, where the “Annunciation STREAM Team” was busy programming robots. But what truly moved me at Annunciation was their commitment to inclusion. In a world where many students with learning differences can feel left behind, Annunciation has leaned in. For example, they have a dedicated dyslexia therapist on staff, and they provide specialized, multi-tiered support for approximately 20 percent of their student body. Watching these students thrive, confident in their abilities and supported by their community, was a true “Bright Lights” moment.
From Columbus, we traveled to Madison to visit St. Anthony Catholic School. The energy there was infectious. I had the privilege of visiting a classroom where the lesson focused on perception and observation. The teacher challenged the students to think about how their unique perspectives influence how they view reality. It was a sophisticated, deeply Catholic approach to critical thinking, teaching students not just what to think, but how to think about thinking. Connecting this to the writing of the Gospels demonstrated a true interdisciplinary approach, with the intentional weaving in of Catholic identity.
I felt a true connection when I walked into our next school, St. Joseph Catholic School, arriving just in time for the celebration of Mass. Much like the school I attended and later served as principal, it is a middle and high school originally founded by the Sisters of Mercy. At the end of Mass, when the students, led by the school choir, sang the Suscipe of Catherine McAuley, my mind was flooded with happy memories. There is something uniquely powerful about being present for school Mass: the shared silence, the unified voices in song, and the palpable sense of presence.
After Mass, I had the opportunity to speak to the students. I looked out at those young “Bruins” and gave them a simple but daunting challenge: “Carry Christ.” I told them that the education they receive within those walls is a gift, but it is a gift meant to be shared. To “Carry Christ” means to take the love, the discipline, and the faith they learn at St. Joe and bring it into the hallways, onto the athletic fields, and eventually into their careers and families. Seeing the maturity in those students, along with my interaction with a student reporter from their news program, assured me that the future of the Church in Mississippi is in very capable hands.
The second day of the tour brought a shift in scale, but not in spirit. At St. Richard Early Learning Center, I was reminded that the foundation of a “Bright Light” school is, quite simply, love. I will admit, I spent a good portion of this visit on the floor! There is no greater joy for the President of the NCEA than crawling around and playing with our littlest learners. Of course, standing back up is always the challenge. Interacting with a classroom of wide-eyed toddlers reminded me of the sacred trust parents place in us. We are not just providing childcare; we are nurturing the very first seeds of faith.
We then transitioned to St. Richard Catholic School, where that early foundation is built upon with academic rigor and a close-knit community feel. It was clear that the “family spirit” I felt in the nursery permeates the entire campus. It is a place where every child is known by name and where the transition from play to prayer to study is seamless. It is also where I was moved to tears, the first of the day but not the last, when the kindergarten class of Ms. Moss asked me to read to them and, when I was finished, stood up, extended their hands, and said a prayer of blessing over me.
Our final stop, and the second time I cried that day, was at Sr. Thea Bowman Catholic School. If you ever doubt the impact of a small school, you need only spend five minutes here. This community is the definition of “small but mighty.” Named after the legendary Servant of God Sister Thea Bowman, this urban school vibrates with her legacy of joy and cultural pride. As I entered the school doors, the students and faculty were ready for me. They lined the hallway and began belting out their school’s version of “This Little Light of Mine.” I was left speechless and overcome by their exuberance.
As the student body president, Harry, along with the principal and parish deacon, led me around the school, I met the parish priest who was teaching a class and the rest of the dedicated staff who all pitch in so this small school can be sustained. I could sense the deep community bonds that extend far beyond the school walls.
Meeting these students was the perfect end to my trip. They reminded me that our schools are not just institutions; they are shining lights in their neighborhoods. These students are leaders, disciples, and a testament to the fact that when a community is rooted in the Gospel, it can move mountains.
To the Diocese of Jackson—students, teachers, administrators, and Bishop Kopacz, who joined us for dinner—thank you for your witness. You are a vibrant constellation in our national community. You reminded me that the true “Bright Light” is the fire of faith that burns in the hearts of our students and educators.
As I continue this tour, I carry a piece of Mississippi with me: a reminder to be more hospitable, to play more, to pray harder, and to always, always “Carry Christ.”
FACTS is dedicated to making educational dreams possible for families and students while enhancing the financial stability and affordability of education. Serving over 12,000 schools worldwide and more than three million students and families, FACTS provides a comprehensive suite of services designed to support administrators and learners alike in delivering exceptional educational experiences. FACTS works with many Catholic schools and dioceses across the United States and is proud to power the NCEA “Bright Lights of Catholic Education” tour, continuing its commitment to Catholic education for years to come.
