Convention Vignette Showcases Mother’s Commitment to Catholic Education
When Thalia Hibbs was a young girl, her parents enrolled her into a Catholic school.
She enjoyed her school surroundings, embracing the religious teachings in her classroom.
However, a couple of years later, her parents switched her to the public school system. Even as a young girl, she immediately recognized the differences. The teachers didn’t talk about Jesus and praying in the classroom was non-existent.
She once suggested to her teacher that they pray to Jesus; the idea was quickly nixed.
“Jesus only belongs in the Church, not in the school,” replied the teacher.
This public school experience always stayed with Hibbs. When she became a mother, she made a promise to herself: that her kids would have Jesus in their schools.
Hibbs was one of five people to present a vignette at the Catholic Education: A National Conversation convention in Ottawa this past September. Each vignette presenter outlined how Catholic education has played a role in their lives.
Hibbs is a school trustee for the STAR Catholic Schools in Alberta, and her vignette resonated with the audience.
“I believe in the system, the community of faith,” said Hibbs.
She then outlined how incorporating faith in her children’s school lives helped them cope during tough times.
Earlier this year, Hibbs was hit with an illness that forced her to the hospital.
“My kids had the gift of prayer,” she explained.
She added that her children’s classmates and teachers also prayed for her health and well-being.
Hibbs credits the Catholic school for giving her children an avenue of prayer and strength when faced with personally challenging times.
For that, she said, she will always be grateful for the Catholic education system.
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