For many, September brings to mind the start of a new school year. In the September 2 issue of Dehonian Spirituality, Bridget Martin, principal and alumna of Sacred Heart School in Southaven, MS, reflects on the ministry of education. She writes:
When I began my calling to teach, I knew I wanted to help young people achieve their greatest potential inside and outside of the classroom. The opportunities I was given as a student, raised in a parish and school served by the SCJ community, empowered me with the knowledge I needed to change lives. I have been blessed to return to lead the school I grew up attending. This has given me a unique perspective of both a child and an adult into the ministry of education provide by the priests.
A large part of our curriculum has always been spreading the Dehonian charism. I was taught as a child to share what we had with those in need and we would all be a stronger community. As a child we gave our time to the elderly in retirement homes so we each received joy. As an adult, there is a strengthened sense of optimism in passing these practices onto a new generation.
Our Dehonian charism is strengthened when our students not only perform service-learning projects to assist the needy and lonely, but also when they begin to understand the true meaning of the projects. As a principal, I see the effects of our education ministry on a daily basis. I am privileged to guide and watch students grow in their understanding of serving others.
One Thanksgiving, I asked a pre-kindergarten student the reason we give to the needy. He stated we share our things with those that do not have things to be kind like Jesus. I asked an 8th grade student the same question. His response was God taught us to love one another and it is our Christian responsibility to help those that cannot help themselves.
I experience and witness the far-reaching power of our education ministry many times during a school year. The immediate reach is when our students treat each other and strangers with compassion and dignity. The long-term effects of childhood lessons learned are noticed when we continue to enroll second, third, fourth and fifth generation families in our schools. Parents want their children to have the same experiences they had growing up.
The power is felt again when an alumni applies for a job with our school or other programs to continue to minister to those in need. The education ministry has the power to unite people in their desire not only for a solid academic education but also to learn to serve one another better.
Dehonian Spirituality is a weekly e-publication of reflections and prayers based in the Dehonian charism. It is sent by email most Fridays.
