Renewing our commitment, zeal, and hope for Catholic education

It was definitely a neat experience to have NCEA 2019 in our very own city of Chicago this past week. The Archdiocese shut down for two days, and all schools were required to send their staffs. I bumped into so many people - my own current faculty, teachers I used to work with at my previous school, classmates from Remick and ACE, friends & professors from Notre Dame, and other fellow teachers from across the city. Plus, many of my faculty got to meet my twin sister and thought they were seeing double. (We were turning heads right and left, for sure.)

LOVED seeing our high school ACE teacher - she was the best!

Remick 15 representation at NCEA

Always a good time when you get ACE XV friends together
(And the ACE HH was amazing!)

Over the two days, I ended up attending some good sessions, and I also had the opportunity to present about how to engage our Catholic school students in their weekly/monthly Masses. The presentation stemmed from my grad school work, and I was originally encouraged to apply by one of my grad school supervisors. In looking back, I am so grateful for the push - it was a terrific experience (even though I was extremely nervous in the weeks leading up to it), and I believe the people who came walked away with some practical ideas to put into place in their own communities. In fact, I received an email yesterday from one of the attendees, and it truly made my day -->

Here are a couple of pics from the session - the principal I work with and some of my friends snapped some photos -->

I believe this was before the technology cut out...

Pretty sure I was praying for grace and peace at this point!

As teachers and leaders in Catholic schools, we need to constantly seek opportunities, both formal and informal, to renew our commitment, zeal, and hope for our work with the young people in our care. So, in my humble opinion, what probably is the most fruitful thing that came from the conference is the boost of energy and ideas for everyone who attended NCEA - the timing of being right near the end of the school year could not have been better as we make the final stretch toward summer and we work to keep it meaningful, rigorous, and joyful. 

I am so proud and blessed to be working in Catholic education - I believe that just as it was a gift for me growing up, our Catholic schools are a gift to the students who come through our doors each and every day. For all of my fellow Catholic school educators - keep up the good work! And know you are in my prayers.

I will run the rACE

March is a long month with no spring break. Just throwing that out there.

Luckily for me, I had a perfect get-away: the annual ACE marathon. In and of itself, anything ACE-related usually proves a pretty good time. Couple that with the backdrop of Oakland, CA (and the fact that a handful of friends live there/nearby), and I was golden.

I don't think my heart could have been any happier. (You can ask my sister - I was literally jumping up and down at some points with joy.)

I have been so fortunate in regards to my health (especially in being able to run with plantar fasciitis) and with the support and prayers of my family, friends, and coworkers. I was extremely sad to leave Oakland and the people there, it's true; yet, I am now filled with what I believe I need to get me to spring break. And for that I am extremely grateful. We all need to take time to refresh and hit the pause button...sometimes we don't realize just how much we need it until that time is upon us.

For good measure, here are some pictures from the weekend - fair warning: there are a lot, so I'll leave you to it. :)

Even though our flight was initially cancelled, we adapted and made it to Oakland!

Ended up bunking at the ACErs' house/convent one night - they weren't messing around. They were ready for the crowd!

We stayed right near Old Oakland...and they had a farmers' market and umbrellas.

Made it to daily Mass at Cathedral of Christ the Light - beautiful church!

This is not a hologram - it's made from the natural light. So cool!

We carbed up...while making sure we were meat-free on Friday :)

We wandered around Lake Merritt and found lots of neat little places to visit, such as the Bonzai Garden.

You bet we run this town!

Per a recommendation on Atlas Obscura...

One of my classmates came to visit on Friday night!

Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate!

The weather was unreal - even though it was a little on the warmer side by the time the marathon rolled around, we couldn't have asked for better weather!

ACE housemates and classroom neighbors, carpool buddies, etc. (Basically this guy is the brother I never had and it was SO good to see him!)

Twins with matching shoes...that happened.

Go ACE, go!

26.2 miles later - woo hoo!

Made the choice to walk around San Francisco post-marathon - we were able to stretch the legs, but holy cow were there some steep inclines we walked up and down.

More RLP love!

The answer is ice cream. Always ice cream.

Bay Bridge from afar

Golden Gate Bridge (up close) - it was such a perfect sunset!

Scored some serious leg room on the way home (after our plane made a stop in Seattle).

These ACE people made my heart very happy - together the team raised over $10,000 for the ACE school this year. What troopers! And so much joy!!

What Would You Fight For?

We are in a fight for Catholic education...so, in one of my grad school classes this semester, the professors asked us why we are part of this fight. For me, there are so many reasons, some more easily able to be articulated than others, but I finally got my response (which is actually a script for a video) down to what I've pasted below.

I have to admit, it's good to think about what we stand and fight for from time to time, as it helps us stay focused and striving toward our goals.

And so, even when times are hard, we keep fighting the good fight...

When I think about why I have chosen to fight for Catholic education, I think of Pedro Arrupe and his “Fall in Love” prayer. He says, Nothing is more practical than finding God, than falling in love in a quite absolute, final way. What you are in love with, what seizes your imagination, will affect everything.

It’s simple, really. I’m in love...with God. And, when you are in love with someone, you want to share that love with everyone. As a Catholic school teacher, helping kids come to know, love, and serve God is part of my job. Who else gets to say that?

Pedro Arrupe continues: (What you are in love with) will decide what will get you out of bed in the morning,

The coffee helps the getting out of bed, sure, but I am, for the most part, excited to get to school each day. I am living out a vocation that challenges me to grow and learn about the faith on a regular basis because I work with middle school students who ask incredibly deep questions to which I do not have all of the answers. I show up every day for my students, prepared with lessons and activities to try to engage them about the faith, and, when I need them most, they show up for me in the most beautiful ways as well - with artwork, with smiles, or with hugs.

Arrupe explains: (What you are in love with) will decide what you do with your evenings, how you spend your weekends,

How many weeknights have I found myself at a middle school basketball game or weekends at a school play, Mass, or other activity? I’m not there because I have to be. I’m there because of my students - all of the ones I have ever taught and all of the ones, God-willing, I will one day teach. I love them, and I love seeing them participate in activities they are passionate about because that is part of who they are and it helps to build character.

Pedro Arrupe goes on: (What you are in love with will decide) what you read, whom you know, what breaks your heart, and what amazes you with joy and gratitude.

Children help us as adults recognize beauty found in the simple things, pointing out the sunshine after cloudy days or finding a deeper meaning in a quote posted for the day’s journal warm-up. Every day is a gift, and they realize that. As a Eucharistic minister at the school Masses, I watch the students as they come up to receive communion, and I see Jesus in each one of them. And I am overwhelmed. These students are entrusted to our care, and they are saints in the making.

...Fall in Love, stay in love, and it will decide everything. The poem finishes.

For the past 10 years I have fallen deeper in love with God, my students, and Catholic education. I realize the goal of the Christian life is to get to heaven and to bring as many people with you as possible. As a Catholic school teacher, I feel that I work for this goal every day. This is why I am here and why I believe in Catholic education.

I Saw God Today

From my own retreat with my Remick classmates in (mostly) sunny Florida this weekend to my students' Confirmation retreat back home today, I feel incredibly blessed to have spent so much time being purposefully and constantly reminded of God's presence and love for each of us.

I saw God in nature - in the sunshine, the wildlife, the sunrises and sunsets...

I saw God in people...
especially my amazing PLC:

And, well, everyone (including my parents who are not pictured here but whom I saw in FL)...

Friday night fun

more Friday night fun

ACE Phoenix forever!

RLP 15 - minus myself and a few others who couldn't come/stay till Sunday

I saw God in the students and faculty of the school we visited and in the Sacraments of the Eucharist and Reconciliation that I was able to receive...

the good old ACE pocket schedule

And, when I got back home, I even saw God in the dreary Midwest weather. I saw Him in the Confirmation students and in those who helped prepare and execute the retreat.

I can see Him because He constantly is seeking us and surprising us...and because I'm on the lookout too.

Now, I'm not going to pretend that this semester is not giving me less than a great deal of anxiety right now - the workload and the fact that I can't quite wrap my head around all of the assignments yet is scary. I know I (and my classmates) can handle it, but I do ask that you keep us in prayer as we embark on this final semester. (I also would appreciate anyone who is willing to check from time to time to make sure I am still coming up for "air"/breaks. Thanks.)

Let's get ready to gear up for Catholic Schools Week!