Catholic schools leave a lasting influence

Published 11:30 am Wednesday, February 4, 2009

By Staff
A special week is wrapping up with an all-school Mass at the Joyce Center at the University of Notre Dame.
This has been Catholic Schools Week.
The week is much more than selling coupon books and raising money to help supplement tuition.
The values and dedication of those involved in the teaching process is appreciated, along with the sacrifice which parents make when they chose Catholic schools for their children.
My memories of Catholic schools go way back – all the way to the age of five when I started first grade. There wasn't a kindergarten at our school.
I wore a black and white check skirt with straps and a white shirt. It had a matching beanie. Don't laugh.
Anyway my mother made the skirt I remember, to save money.
I loved the nuns in their black and white habits.
Even though they were feared by the boys in the class, as they seemed to always carry a ruler, we girls loved them.
It seemed natural when I graduated from grade school I would continue going to a Catholic school, which turned out to be one of the best on near the lake outside Chicago.
There I had a brown blazer with a tweed shirt and saddle shoes. When they finally decided we could wear loafers, I can still see the huge pile of shoes we donated to the poor in South America. I wonder what they thought of all those brown and white shoes?
Without boys in our all-girls' school, we actually concentrated on our studies. Not being athletic, I joined the speech team.
I grew up believing I could be anything I wanted to be.
As far as religion classes, I do remember we studied all religions, not just ours.
The school Masses we attended were a way in which we bonded, as they probably still are today.
School prayer wasn't a controversy – it was expected – every day.
When it came time to decide where to send our own children to school, there wasn't a Catholic grade school in Dowagiac, just Sunday religion classes.
For high school we chose St. Joseph in South Bend, Ind. I can say the school was an excellent preparation for their future.
Two chose to continue on to college at the University of Notre Dame and the other two went directly into the business world.
Within a short time after graduating, my daughter was managing a store. My son became an apprentice electrician.
I truly believe the personal beliefs we tried in instill in them, to be good people, were reinforced by the many teachers and staff they had during their four years.
There aren't that many clergy any more, so most of their teachers were lay people – good people.
When I read my high school newsletter I am always amazed at the success of the girls, now women, who attended with me and after me.
They are leaders in their communities, good mothers and volunteers.
I thank the nuns who consoled me when I fell, held my hand when I was sick, told me I was a good artist and made me believe in myself.
I still have my doubts that having me play a piece on the piano in front of the whole school was a good idea, but then again maybe it helped me to be able to speak in front of a group today.
I also thank all those other teachers who took lesser pay to teach in a Catholic school – who taught my kids to respect others.
I went on to a Catholic college, where thankfully the required uniforms finally ended. But the caring teachers and staff continued.
High standards, no nonsense and no fear about keeping the students under control, all contributed to a successful learning environment.
I appreciate both my experience and that of my children. Thanks.