By John Rohlf, The Message assistant editor
Educators and administrators from the 26 schools across the Diocese of Evansville gathered Aug. 4 for the annual Back to School Mass.
Bishop Joseph M. Siegel celebrated Mass with the educators and administrators Aug. 4 at St. Benedict Cathedral in Evansville. At the beginning of the Mass, Bishop Siegel said it was good for them to come together on the Mass of the Holy Spirit to begin a new academic year. In a special way, Bishop Siegel said, he wanted to welcome all new teachers and administrators. Bishop Siegel also wanted to acknowledge our priests on the Feast of St. John Vianney, the patron saint of priests. We thank them for their faithful service and ministry in their parishes and their support and promotion of Catholic education, he said.
Over 20 diocesan priests concelebrated the Back to School Mass. Deacon Dan Niemeier, president of Mater Dei High School, and Deacon Mike Seibert, who delivered the talk to administrators and educators at Reitz Memorial High School prior to the Mass, assisted during the Mass. Stephaine Sharber, principal of Annunciation’s Holy Spirit School in Evansville and Matt Moore, principal of Annunciation’s Christ the King School in Evansville, served as gift bearers. Sharber is entering her first year as a principal in the diocese, while Moore has been a principal in the diocese for over a decade.
During his homily at the Mass, Bishop Siegel said he imagines that for administrators, standing at the threshold of a new school year brings a familiar mix of high energy and hope, and perhaps quiet anxiety for first time teachers and administrators. He said at the Aug. 4 Mass, the readings remind them that they do not need to enter their classrooms alone. The Holy Spirit goes before them, walks beside them and dwells within them as they begin their new school year.
Bishop Siegel said in the first reading at the Mass, St. Paul writes from a prison cell, urging the Ephesians to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called. Teaching in a Catholic School is not just a job or a career path, Bishop Siegel said, but it is a true vocation. It is a sacred calling from God to help form their students into well educated missionary disciples. Paul then outlines exactly what the worthy walk looks like in a Catholic school community. Paul says it requires humility, gentleness, patience and bearing in love with one another, Bishop Siegel said.
These are the precise tools needed for the daily reality of education, Bishop Siegel said, where they will need patience when a student struggles for the 10th time, to be gentle when a parent is anxious or frustrated or upset or humility to admit when a lesson plan fails. When you cultivate these virtues, Bishop Siegel said, you create a classroom environment where the love of Christ becomes visible to your students.
Bishop Siegel said it is easy to close their classroom or office door and feel like they are on an island, but the Holy Spirit is the spirit of community, not isolation. They are part of one body and their fellow teachers, administration, support staff and families are all connected in the mission of Catholic education. Bishop Siegel encouraged diocesan educators to vow to protect that unity this year by praying for one another, speaking well of one another, supporting the teacher next door when their day is chaotic and celebrating each other’s victories. When a school’s faculty and administration stand united in mutual concern and respect with a common mission, their students will experience a stable and peaceful faithful environment where they can grow spiritually, academically, personally and physically.
Bishop Siegel said as the educators stepped across the threshold into this new academic year to not let their hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. He encouraged them to take a deep breath and receive the Holy Spirit. They have been called by God, Bishop Siegel said, united with God in their faith, sustained by his grace and they are blanketed in his peace. So go forth and make faith, hope and love known every lesson you teach, Bishop Siegel said.