In Theory:

We as Catholics believe that Jesus “participated in our humanity so that we could participate in His divinity” (taken from the prayer at the offertory of the Mass). What this means is that we are called to be more than human with divine rather than mere human insight.

Money and earning money is a most important part of living life in our age. It is not a bad thing; it is a good thing. However, it is earned always through hard work, whether intellectual or servile. It is a means to an end: a reasonably comfortable life.

But once again: Self-worth and potential are far surpassing in their value and can never be bought. To allow our children to think differently and to even be rewarded for this type of thinking is a terrible affront to the type of person they are called to be and the type of person we want them to be.

If I am taught that I can buy grades with money, then I learn that money is more important than intelligence. If I can buy my way out of a test score, then I am learning that money is the answer to any difficulty in life. Ultimately, money becomes the most important asset in my life. It becomes the source of my self-worth and negates the need to fulfill my potential as a human being.

There is so much more to life than the material. Only if we come to realize that will we become happy, fulfilled people.

THE REV. RICHARD ALBARANO

Pastor of St. Francis

Xavier Catholic

Church in Burbank

Outrage No. 1utrage No. 1: that children should have to raise money for their schools in the first place. I’m so sorry, kids. I know it’s a necessary evil, but in a perfect world, you wouldn’t have to do that.

Outrage No. 2: that every school fundraiser continues to offer us either chocolate or magazines, neither of which we want to buy. For the love of God, kids, sell us something we can use — paper towels, trash bags, office supplies, shampoo — anything nonperishable, that we use all the time, and will need more of, the next time you come to our door.

Outrage No. 3: that a fundraiser should target the students themselves, having them donate money to the school for anything, much less grades.

Given all that, it’s probably not the end of the world that a school should do this for a one-time, cute-idea fundraiser. I wouldn’t want it to become policy; but every once in a while — hey, we do whatever it takes, right?