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Diocese of New Ulm - November 2000 teacher enrichment day examines "attitudes" by Sr. Betty Larson, OSB
Educators from the Catholic Schools of the Diocese of New Ulm gathered at St. Mary’s School in Sleepy Eye in September for the annual diocesan Teacher Faith Formation Day. This day is held each fall with the purpose to give the teachers ongoing opportunities for the development for their own faith life.
The topic for this year was the Beatitudes - Attitudes of Being. The presenter, Sister Carol Cimino, a Sister of St. Joseph from Buffalo, New York, challenged us to look at the positive side of living our faith, rather than the complete negativity of the Ten Commandments. Her presentation, which was interwoven with wonderful humor, was received by everyone with enthusiasm and excitement.
"You are the priests and sisters" of our Catholic schools today, she told the room filled with lay teachers from all of the Catholic schools in the diocese. "Yes, our schools are still Catholic - and you are the ones who are called to keep them that way. This can be done only from a deep faith within each of you, one which will be evident to all those you teach. Daily prayer and reflection is an integral part of your daily preparation to teach."
Sister Carol took each of the Beatitudes and applied it to life within the school, within the classroom. How are you "poor in spirit"? Do you fear being poor? Do you cling to your own ideas, opinions, and judgments? How do you live out this Beatitude? She challenged each person in attendance to take a look at the practical events of everyday life and put them into the context of these positive statements of Jesus.
A highlight of the day was the celebration of Eucharist at noon. Led by the diocesan processional cross, the teachers all processed from the school to the church singing "Beneath the Tree of Life" - the song written for our diocese by composer, Marty Haugen. The Eucharist was celebrated by Bishop Raymond A. Lucker, who shared a personal witness of the importance of faith in the face of suffering. It is this faith to which we are called as teachers in our Catholic schools.
Sr. Betty Larson, OSB, is Director of Catholic Schools for the Diocese of New Ulm.
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