Today, I want to talk about the experience with Father Kien and how he has impacted St. Gregory. He’s always cheerful and usually very energetic. He will come in the morning to the cafeteria and talk to the kids. I think the little kids love talking to Father Kien. He likes to be in the classrooms to say hello and teach us something.

The last time Father Kien came to my classroom, we talked about some problems that might be going on and how we could try to fix them. I think having him go into the school to speak with many classrooms is great. I like how he’s always happy, always smiling. It’s nice to have him come into your classroom, do things with your class, or go outside or play games. When he comes to recess, he likes to play volleyball or soccer. It makes me happy.

I like Father Kien because he is very open to helping. I think everyone in the school loves Father Kien. We’re lucky to have someone like Father Kien. I know he has impacted St. Gregory. I thank Father Kien for everything he has done for the church and the school.

Father Kien is an amazing priest in many ways. He is kind, honest, helpful, and he takes his priestly duties seriously. Whenever anyone in our school is having a bad day, he always tries to cheer them up.

Father Kien has helped me further my faith and dedication to God so much by doing things such as quizzing us on the Gospel during Mass and coming to our classrooms to explain the importance of events such as reconciliation or confirmation. He tries his best to make sure every student at St. Gregory is well-educated about God.

Father Kien makes everyone happy by doing things such as talking to kids in the cafeteria before school or even playing games with us during recess. He has helped children enjoy school and weekly Mass. He always has ways to brighten up your day. He has a great sense of humor and an amazing personality.

I think I speak for all St. Gregory students when I say that Father Kien is the best priest we could ever ask for.

A Catholic education is the best gift we could possibly give to our granddaughters. Just knowing they will experience God’s grace and presence while at school every day is priceless. In addition to maintaining high academic standards, Catholic schools encourage students to develop a strong moral compass and live their faith through religious instruction, prayer and participation in weekly Mass. Each day begins and ends with prayer, and God’s guidance is sought throughout the day.

Our granddaughters attend St. James Catholic School in Elizabethtown, where they share in a warm sense of community. The student/teacher ratios are small, and academic standards are high. Students are encouraged to learn through multiple teaching methodologies. Instructional interventionists engage students in small groups and specialists are available when additional assistance is needed.

Extracurricular activities are encouraged at St. James, and students are expected to develop self-discipline as they explore interests and develop talents. The faculty and staff serve as wonderful role models, and many talented volunteers contribute their time and efforts to ensure the students receive a well-rounded education. For our money, there is no better investment.

We thank God for the Catholic education our grandchildren are receiving.

We invest in a Catholic education so that our children are part of a faith-filled community. We want to instill in our children a faith that they will carry with them forever. Catholic schools enhance this strong foundation.

We believe that praying with friends, attending a weekly Mass and being with positive Catholic mentors are essential in today's world. Catholic schools allow students to put their faith into action. Through the required completion of service projects, students are dedicated to serving others fostering their faith. These opportunities help children develop skills to use their entire lives.

St. James School has been an important part of our children’s lives, from 3-year-old preschool through eighth grade. SJS has students who come from all walks of life and we appreciate that our children are in this diverse school environment.

The Dominican Sisters are a very special part of SJS. These beautiful, religious women are so knowledgeable in the faith and share their talents in our school and church communities. Their vocation choice exemplifies the future saints we strive for our children to witness on a daily basis.

Our family chooses to invest in a Catholic education at St. James Catholic School in Elizabethtown, Ky., because our faith is a top priority in what we want our children to learn. At St. James, they are surrounded by the faith, such as crucifixes in the classroom, pictures and quotes of the saints, prayers said with classmates, weekly Mass, monthly adoration, and having Jesus present in the tabernacle in the school brings me peace and comfort, knowing that he is there with my children throughout the school day.

Also, having the Dominican Sisters there as well as the priest visiting the school often gives the children an opportunity to witness other vocations that they don’t see at home. God has gifted us these children with the responsibility to teach them to know him, love him, and serve him and we believe that St. James Catholic School assists us in doing this.