Pope brings message of living God

When Nancy Collins arrived at The Catholic University of America in Washington, she just knew she was going to be seated with hundreds and hundreds of other Catholic educators who gathered April 17 to hear from Pope Benedict XVI.

Instead she called and said that the room was an intimate setting and it was very exciting.

“I was near enough to feel a personal connection with the pope,” said Collins, superintendent of Catholic schools for the Beaumont Diocese.

“It was truly an address to us,” she said.

Pope Benedict told the educators that it is important to keep schools as a place with a living God and to keep their Catholic identity.

“Our Catholic identity is not defined by statistics,” Collins said of the pope’s talk, “it is not the number of students but how we develop their faith life.”

The pope challenged the eudcators to renew their commitment and enthusiasm and for the educators to live the truths they teach to the students.

“I feel like I’ve come back with the strength to continue our Catholic mission,” Collins said.

Pope Benedict spoke to the educators about how the Catholic faith is not a private faith.

“We are a communal people,” Collins said.

She pointed out how Jesus was not always accepted in his day.

“It’s not easy leading people to the truth.”

Collins said that even though the pope was soft spoken he has a beautiful, peaceful presence.

“We were encouraged in what we do to carry out the mission of Jesus Christ,” she said.