One of my greatest responsibilities as bishop is to provide for the pastoral care of souls in the diocese. This care is more directly provided to the people of God by our priests and deacons, as an extension of my own ministry as bishop. In communion with our ministry, the lay faithful, as disciples of Jesus by virtue of their baptism, are also to put their lives at the service of the community of the Church according to their means.

This year National Catholic Schools Week 2020 will be Jan. 26-Feb. 1 with the theme “Catholic Schools: Learn. Serve. Lead. Succeed.” The theme encompasses the core products and values that can be found in Catholic schools across the country. Not only are students being taught to become future servant leaders, faith-filled disciples and enriched citizens in their communities, but educators are growing with them.

Regan Dimmitt, a graduate of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and former parishioner at St. Leo's Church in Grand Island, is focused on FOCUS. FOCUS (the Fellowship of Catholic University Students), which was founded in 1998 at Benedictine College, "invites college students into a growing relationship with Jesus Christ and His Church, inspiring and equipping them for a lifetime of Christ-centered evangelization, discipleship, and friendships in which they lead others to do the same."