Diocese’s Catholic school educators spend a day focusing on what matters most
SCROLL THE ARROWS to see more photos.
Just a few came forward at first, then more.
Soon, the area in front of the speaker’s platform was abuzz with activity.
More than 500 Catholic educators were committing their concerns and struggles to paper and placing them folded into a basket, where they will be held up in prayer by students for the rest of Lent.
“Write down one or several things you need to move on from, things you want to let go of, things you would like to pursue freedom from,” instructed Paul Masek, program director at the Marianist Retreat and Apostolic Center in the St. Louis archdiocese.
“Fold it or rip it into a million pieces,” he told his audience. “No one will ever see them or read them. We invite you to put them in one of the baskets next to the image of the Divine Mercy that says ‘Jesus, I trust in you.’”
At the end of Lent, the prayers will be prayerfully burned and given to the Lord.
“A lot of people will be praying for you,” Mr. Masek assured.
This silent exercise was part of the diocese’s annual Teachers’ Professional Development Day on March 7 at Fr. Tolton Regional Catholic High School in Columbia.
Bishop W. Shawn McKnight celebrated Mass, during which he thanked the educators for the great things they do and reminded them of the importance of their work.
He and Erin Vader Ed.D., diocesan superintendent of Catholic schools, presented recognition pins to educators and administrators who had reached milestones in their years of service at Catholic schools.
Personnel from schools all over the diocese enjoyed camaraderie and fellowship over lunch.
Mr. Masek and Liz Lozano from the Marianist Outreach Retreat Experience led the teachers and administrators of the school’s 37 Catholic grade schools and three Catholic high schools in an upbeat regimen of spiritual reflection and dialogue.
“Jesus, please help us all have open hearts like your mom,” Mrs. Lozano prayed.
They began by focusing on praise and gratitude, faith, community and the needs in their hearts.
From there, they used personal stories and clips from a popular TV show to illustrate important lessons about God, faith, life and the teaching profession.
Key points included staying in touch with their reasons for being who they are and for doing what they do; actively seeking potential in every person they meet; staying curious rather than judgmental; coming to terms with their own struggles and shortcomings and presenting those to God in prayer; and believing in themselves as much as God believes in them.
“If we’re humble enough, we can learn from anyone or anything,” said Mrs. Lozano. “We are all works in progress and are loved more than we can imagine on this side of heaven.”
Dr. Vader thanked everyone for their active participation in the day’s activities.
“You showed up, you participated in it, you were ‘in it,’” she told the audience. “That’s how you are every day.”
She commended the teachers and administrators on the beautiful things they do and witness in the children who are entrusted to their care.
“It’s so important,” she said. “In a world that’s sometimes crazy and filled with so much noise, these kiddos are coming to a place where they can be safe and feel loved and feel seen, and they get to know God.”
