by Wayne Pelzel

Beginning my 25th year as a principal in Catholic schools and having been asked to reflect and write about that 25 year reality caused me to stop and smile. Years ago if someone had tried to tell me that Catholic School Principalship is the direction my life would take when I was in high school or college, I would not have believed that possible. Reflecting on these 25 years, time has a way of enhancing the positive experiences and diminishing the negative. However, among the many thoughts, three major themes stand out for me.

These years in Catholic education have shown me both in my own life and in the lives of others that God’s call is powerful. Year after year I am impressed by the high quality people that are called to work in our Catholic schools. Oftentimes at significant personal sacrifice, these quality people come to serve the children in our schools. They are dedicated, faith filled, talented people. And they come because in some subtle or more obvious way, God has called them. As the many Sisters who taught in our schools declined, lay men and women have responded to God’s call to fill in those voids. When some thought this transition would be the demise of Catholic schools, these lay people, in fact, continue the proud tradition of quality in Catholic education. For these people with that strong sense of dedication, work is more than a job. It is a calling.

A second theme that has become more and more obvious to me is the privilege it is in Catholic schools to be able to speak to children with God on our side. A principal’s responsibilities include disciplining students. What a clear asset it is to have our Lord’s commandments to use with these students. Values and moral standards of our church lay a foundation for good, responsible behavior. In a society of permissiveness this higher moral code gives children a clear path to follow. The need for Catholic education, and providing that education, is greater today than ever before. Children need instruction that counteracts society’s self centered "if it feels good, do it" message. Children need to know how to act and why that action is right or wrong.

Finally, in reflection on these past 25 years, I have frequently been in awe of the power of the Holy Spirit. One event probably best illustrates what I mean. A number of years ago, the school needed to order $600 worth of basketball uniforms and the money was not available. In visiting with the Athletic Director who was equally unsure where the money was to come from, we turned the matter over to our Lord. What struck me so much about this situation was that 3 days later, a man came into my office wishing to donate ... yes, $600 ... and basketball uniforms would be right along the line of what he was thinking about. There is significant evidence to support that the Holy Spirit is alive and well and working in our Catholic schools.

The tremendous people who work in Catholic schools, the privilege of helping to mold children’s consciences about right and wrong, and the awe-filled experience it is to work where God is so obviously also working, all gives me cause to say it has been a great experience. I am thankful for the opportunity these years in Catholic education have afforded me ... the opportunity to grow in my faith...the opportunity to give my children a K-12 Catholic education ... and the opportunity to be called to serve.

Wayne Pelzel is the Principal at St. Mary School, Sleepy Eye.