ACE at ND, FTW

Growing up, I always wondered what the fascination was with Notre Dame. Why was everyone an Irish fan even if they hadn't attended?

Fortunately, I had the opportunity to discover firsthand when I enrolled as a student as part of the Alliance for Catholic Education's Master of Education program (and later as part of the Mary Ann Remick Leadership program). And so, my Catholic education journey continued...and this time, it would lead me into teaching (and, eventually, leading) in Catholic schools (but those schools are saved for the next blog posts).

What a gift to study along such talented and devoted men and women pursuing their own MEd. The fact that we had incredible Holy Cross priests, daily dorm/chapel Mass, retreats, and many havens, including the Grotto, at our fingertips was truly a blessing. To quote Tom Dooley, "Do the students ever appreciate what they have, while they have it?" I'm not sure we ever truly could...at least, I know for me I tried but fell short. Still, the faith formation was tantamount, and while I could have pursued teaching through other channels or programs, my education would not have been the same.

If putting into words what Holy Family and St. Pete Catholic did for me was hard, expressing the value of my experience at Notre Dame (and with the amazing individuals I met, lived with, and worked with there) is going to be nearly impossible... but I'll try.

Here are just a few things I learned:

1. I learned that the foundational part of teaching comes from building relationships with your students. Our professors modeled that with us and helped us build relationships with one another. As my dad always reminds me, "Your students won't care how much you know until they know how much you care." ACE encouraged creativity, divergent thinking. The program energized us and gave us resources to run our own classrooms. I loved our elementary content classes, mostly because of my fellow classmates in there with me - so much joy and zeal.

2. I learned the true definition of community by living with five of the most fun-loving, creative, adventure-seeking, and crazy (which I say with nothing but love!) people I've ever met. They helped me find balance between work and personal life. They helped me expand my cooking repertoire. They helped me perfect my dance moves. They shared their cars without question whenever I needed to borrow them. They taught me how to depend on others, how to accept help, and how to trust more deeply. ACE would not have been the same without them. (It's been way too long since we've all been together, so I can't wait for Pat's wedding this summer - reunion!)

So, we borrowed some shopping cards, and when it was time to return them, we (naturally) had a shopping cart race.

Graduation weekend - ACE Phoenix at the Backer

This group Halloween costume was my favorite - we knew how to have a good time

Maggie's baptism!

3. My first efforts in organizing and managing fundraising came during my time at Notre Dame as well. In my second year, we hosted the annual ACE marathon in Phoenix for my school. The ACE marathon was not only a great excuse to keep up my long distance running (which I do to this day) but also a way to get involved with running for a cause. That marathon weekend in 2010 was definitely one of my all-time favorites - we had a great turnout, my sister and I ran a good race, and we supported SJV! I'm pretty sure these lessons in fundraising will help me as I continue in Catholic school leadership...

4. When life hands you a tremendous group of friends and colleagues, stay in touch (both on professional and personal levels). Yes, we grew together through educational means and social outings, but ACE truly helped us grow together on a spiritual level. Retreats, daily Mass, prayer before classes, Holy Cross priests...ACE formed our hearts just as much as (if not more than) our minds, IMHO. While I don't do the best at staying in touch with many of these folks on even a not-so-regular basis, it's always a true joy when we cross paths at weddings, conferences, trips to various cities, etc. (And, luckily, I live in the same city as a handful of these folks, so that has brought much joy as well!)

5. God may be calling you...listen! Notre Dame has played a huge role in helping me find my vocation (in job terms; in life terms, I'm still figuring that one out) - for not once, but twice, I was formed through an ACE program, the second time as a school leader (with 29 other amazing leaders and friends). It took some time, but enough people directed comments (which, at the time, I thought were just off-hand) to me over the years suggesting that I go into school leadership that I decided to apply for the Remick program. Over the course of the two year program, I learned from both professors and peers about the three pillars of spiritual leadership, instructional leadership, and executive management...and I'm still learning (from the best(!) at my current school). Again, to be formed as a leader through a Catholic program was key, in my opinion.

First ACE 15, then RLP 15. <one million heart explosions>

RLP graduation weekend (July 2018)

RLP graduation (July 2018)

Thank you, Notre Dame and ACE, for growing me as a Catholic school educator and leader. Our hearts (at least mine) do, forever, love thee.

In 2019, Give Me 5

2019 - Holy cow, it feels like we're talking about some futuristic time period. Yet, the calendar flips to it tomorrow at midnight. I'm sure I don't need to tell you this, but time sure flies.

I know it's cliche to talk about goals for the upcoming year, but I figure I should put my own in writing anyways...and now is as good a time as any, isn't it? Now, some of these things I am already committed to, but I'm pretty sure they still count, even if I made these goals/commitments within the past few months:

1. Use my talents for the betterment of others --> Run a marathon for charity - I started training a few weeks ago for the annual ACE marathon in the spring. And I've raised about $200 so far (thanks to my amazing friends who have donated!). I convinced my sister to run it with me, and I have friends in the CA area who are planning to come out to cheer and visit, so it's going to be quite a weekend. I just need to buy that plane ticket...

2. Grow in community and share of my time --> Volunteer on a regular basis for the same organization - Recently I've helped out at various organizations and for random activities as the opportunities presented themselves. And those were all quite worthwhile. (My recent favorite was volunteering at Misericordia's bakery during the holiday season with a group from church.) But I started to feel like I was missing something - that I wanted to have a relationship with an organization, the people running it as well as other volunteers. So I connected with Mission OLA - the group of nuns and religious there do an amazing job in the Humboldt Park neighborhood and they are always looking for helping hands. It should be the perfect fit, and I'll hopefully make it over there on a weekly basis starting in a couple of weeks. And, who knows, I might end up doing another marathon (Indianapolis, perhaps?) to fundraise for them in the fall (see goal #1). I'll keep you posted...

3. Share my passion for Catholic education --> Present at a national conference - I have one of my grad school professors to thank for pushing me on this one. I've always wanted to attend NCEA, and this year it's in Chicago...and I submitted a proposal to present, which was accepted. (And I found out that several friends are also presenting at the conference!) Now that we're just a few months out, it's a little nerve-wracking, but I'm also excited, as my topic is along the lines of my grad school work on getting students engaged in preparing for, participating in, and reflecting on the Catholic Mass. I definitely have some work to do before April.

4. Grow in knowledge and cultivate (new) friendships --> Join a book club - Since grad school finished, I've found myself filling quite a bit of my time with books. I ended up stumbling across many good reads since July, but it tends to be, at least for me, more fruitful when you read in a group and for a purpose. Therefore, in January I plan to join a local Catholic book club at a church nearby. Their first read is a book about Pier Giorgio Frassati - he is a saint I've wanted to learn more about, so this might work out quite nicely!

5. Be brave and open up to others --> Take a chance on the opposite sex - Admittedly, I feel a little funny putting this one in writing, especially since everyone always tells you that love happens when you least expect it and that I've never been particularly skilled in the flirting department, but what the heck. After all, I no longer have grad school and my sister's wedding as excuses, do I? What do I have to lose (except my comfort zone)?


Five goals seems doable, especially considering many of them are already in motion. And I hope that these particular goals will help me become a better person and a more devoted disciple of Christ one day at a time. Cheers to 2019!

Service Day 2016

On Saturday I joined with over 400 parishioners to head out to different agencies and sites around the city for my church's annual "service day." A simple morning prayer service was followed by a mass exodus from the building, with groups heading this way and that. My group was assigned painting a room at House of Good Shepherd.

When we first arrived, we took a tour of the facilities and enjoyed lunch. Then, we got to work. With one roller and 7 brushes, we tackled baseboards and walls (after taping our edges, of course). We were pretty efficient, finishing in about two hours. Aside from my sister, I didn't know anyone else in our group of eight, but after the car ride over and time talking while painting, I feel like I made six new friends.

I wish our parish did "service day" more than once a year, though I know it's incredibly hard to coordinate everything with the sites, group leaders, and participants. But maybe this will be the start that a few of us need to try to get to places on a more regular basis. (At the post-Mass dinner, some parishioners were describing places/agencies I had never even heard of before!)

All in all, it was a great way to spend a Saturday (especially one with such nice weather). Additionally (but unrelated), I received word that my volleyball girls won their match on Saturday, so that was awesome too. (Go Dolphins!)

Now, considering how beautiful it is outside, it's time for a run by the lakefront, which will be followed by a friend's baby shower and some errands (plus a little school work/prep). Have a restful Sunday!

Community Living

I snuck into Bible Study about 45 minutes late tonight (due to a volleyball game at school), and I was really glad I went. We're studying Acts of the Apostles, so there's a lot of good discussion to be had surrounding the beginning of the Christian Church.

One question centered around the type of living the early followers led - so we got to talking about community living and having all things shared. So, naturally, I started talking about ACE - how we all went in on one bank account, cooked and ate meals together, shared a house and transportation... I guess I take that time of intentional community living for granted because my table group started asking things like, wasn't that hard? and did everyone just go for the cheap stuff? They were surprised when I told them how well we actually ate in Phoenix those two years.

Maybe that time in ACE taught me more than I even realized then - intentional community living done well must indeed be close to those early followers. We looked out for each other, shared jobs, and spent quality time in prayer and conversation.

Darn right it was hard...and maybe I wouldn't have chosen it on my own. But in looking back, I think it has transformed me into a more empathetic person who can more easily go with the flow and not get caught up in the whole "it's mine" mentality.

So, years later, I've still got ACE to thank. :)

#AttitudeofGratitude

Let's just say my 7th graders loved hashtags - juxtaposing them next to pretty much any word or phrase, especially on creative assessments/projects. #ItDoesntGetOld (apparently)

But that's not really the point of what I want to get at right now. No, the heart of this blog post and tonight's homily message at Mass is gratitude. Fr. Sean illustrated this idea through a simple, true story - allow me to retell it here as best I can:

There was an ACE grad a few years ago who shared her story around graduation time - it was a story in which she started out by saying around November of her first year of teaching she almost quit. She called her mom on the phone, expressing her feelings of failure and despair. As their conversation drew to a close, her mom said, "I'm not hanging up this phone until you tell me one thing you're grateful for." Silence. And the mother repeated herself, "I'm not hanging up this phone until you tell me one thing you're grateful for." Silence, yet again. Finally, the ACE teacher told her mother that she was thankful for the school bell at the end of the school day. Her mom replied, "Well, that's a start."

The ACE teacher called her mom every night for awhile, each conversation ending with her mom insisting that she would not hang up the phone until she said something she was grateful for. Soon, the ACE teacher found gratitude for things like students raising their hands, a community member helping her out, and more. The conversations slowly dwindled down to the normal weekly occurrences, but the seed had been planted: Her mother had helped her cultivate a new disposition filled with gratitude, and her whole outlook had changed. In fact, years later, she described that time of her life as when her vocation was saved.

Pretty powerful stuff.

This was the perfect time to stop and think, how do I practice gratitude in my own life?

Funny coincidence...

At the end of my school year in June, two students gifted me with gratitude journals (one of which I gave to my sister), and each day has a space (and sometimes a prompt) for me to record simple things for which I am grateful each day. It's a good habit to have. (Students seem to always know the best gifts...)

Tonight's entry will include the following things for which I am most grateful today:

- The opportunity to meet and have dinner with an ACE teacher who will be teaching at my ACE school (4th grade!) in Phoenix these next two years

- A few texts with my ACE housemates checking in and making plans to catch up via phone soon

- The eagerness of the second year ACE teachers to constantly and earnestly seek/accept feedback in efforts to become stronger teachers in the fall

- The gorgeous, cool weather that settled on the Midwest today

- Ideas to go along with my first planned read aloud book with my 6th grade ELA class in August

- Pierogies in the cafeteria at lunchtime (Best. Lunch. Ever.)

Yes, it's the little things. But gratitude is so important. We need to say thank you and mean it. And when we do, we will watch our outlook on the world change...

Retreat Reminders

“Every one of us needs half an hour of prayer a day, except when we are busy - then we need an hour." 

- St Francis de Sales

"God does not need our prayers! He knows what we need even before we ask. He is the all-merciful, and he pours his abundant bounties even on those who do not ask him. It is for us that prayer is indispensable; it appropriates man to God." 

- Saint Ignatius Brianchaninov (1807-1867)

“Nothing is more practical than finding God, That is, than falling in a love in a quite absolute, final way. What you are in love with, what seizes your imagination will affect everything. It will decide what will get you out of bed in the mornings, What you will do with your evenings, How you spend your weekends, What you read, Who you know, What breaks your heart, And what amazes you with joy and gratitude. Fall in love, stay in love, and it will decide everything.”

- Pedro Arrupe, S.J.

"I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need and I know what it is to have plenty...I can do all things through Him who gives me strength."

- Philippians 3:11-12

"'For I know the plans I have in store for you,' declares the Lord, 'plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.'"

- Jeremiah 29:11

These are just a few quotes that were either from this weekend's young adult retreat or that remind me of my experience this weekend. I'm going to be frankly honest up front - it's going to be hard to go back to work tomorrow...I don't want to because I'd rather remain on that proverbial mountaintop with the 60+ other young adults with whom I was able to share retreat.

This weekend was everything I hoped it would be...and then more.

I was reminded of...

- the simple beauty and serenity in contemplation, especially using meditative (and repetitive) music.

- the power of prayer when 20 or so of us gathered during free time to pray the Rosary.

- how much I love spending time with the Blessed Sacrament in Adoration.

- how it feels to be vulnerable - to open myself up to others and to have them open up to me as well. (What incredible conversations!)

- the essential call to be my truest self, for in Jesus' presence we see who we truly are. (And since we can't please everybody, we should remember to strive to please God first and then ourselves next.)

- the joy of laughter - pure belly laughs - during social and game time. (I probably haven't laughed as hard since last retreat.)

- why I pray and why the forms of prayers I use (when there are SO many to choose from) are, at least for the present moment, the ones best-suited to me and my needs.

- how beautiful it is to share such tremendous events with my sister. (There were actually a total of 4 sets of siblings on the retreat - crazy!)

- why I choose to believe the Catholic faith.

I pray that this weekend's insight, discussions, reflections, and activities act as a springboard and catalyst for my continued faith renewal and dedication to my faith community. And I thank God for all of the wonderful people I was able to work with who made this retreat such a special, memorable, and meaningful weekend.

most of the 2013 YAC retreat team

Growing in Faith

At a new parishioner meeting last night, us newbies were asked a few questions, including

What does it mean to "belong" to this parish?
What are the privileges of membership? What are the responsibilities?
How do I fit in?
What can I give? What do I get?
How can I grow as a person and as a member of this community?

As I was thinking over these questions to discuss with the group, a realization started to hit me - I've actively chosen my parish home. This is where (in addition to my school community) I will have opportunities to grow in both my knowledge and living out of my faith. I have a chance to get involved and become an active (rather than passive) member of a faith community. Going to Church now has more of a purpose and more of a feeling of belonging - things which I took for granted growing up in my parish back home.

It's far from automatic, I know. Trust me, I'm a firm believer in "you only get out what you put in" - so I'm ready to start putting.

And, as for the questions mentioned above - we talked about them, but I still have some thinking on them to do as well.

Oh, and for my dear regular (or even somewhat regular) blog-following friends, I likely won't have access to much internet over the next couple of weeks - off to a symposium and then a NE road trip to include a wedding, sightseeing, and visits with friends. Summer's officially here!