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Year of Consecrated Life
crated religious bring gifts to the classroom
Did you know? Throughout history, it has been religious communities of women and men that were at the forefront of the Church’s response to societal ills, especially in the areas of education, health care and social services. From Sr. Cathy Bertrand, School Sister of Notre Dame
with Cretin-Derham Hall junior Connor Stewart in the school’s Learning Lab. Dave Hrbacek/The Catholic Spirit
of something, to be part of the Church, to be part of Christ . . . to belong to him. I would hope [the students] would see that in a consecrated soul, the joy that comes from belonging. “We’re not just [teaching] so the kids can be successful and get a good job,” she continued. “We’re doing this so they get to heaven.”
View of religious life
just saw me, they wouldn’t see the fullness of my life.”
For the teachers, being immersed in the life of the school means consistently bringing faith, liturgy and lessons about vocations.
Sister Magdalena described her role as “spiritual motherhood” — for everyone in the school.
“It’s important for the students to see how we interact. That’s part of religious life,” said Sister Mary Margaret Taranto, a second-grade teacher at St. Croix Catholic. “If they
“I have to be a sister teacher,” she said. “They need my consecration. They need me to love them. They need me to have time to talk to them. And . . . it’s not just the kids; sometimes it goes out to the
teachers, because they need to be listened to.” Colleagues say they also bring joy to the school. Colleen Kane-Rood, a secondgrade teacher at St. Therese, considers herself fortunate to have attended a Catholic school and now teach in one with sisters. “I believe that at a Catholic school, the presence of the sisters brings a faith-filled balance in the school,” she said. “It just feels like more of the Catholic faith is visible.” For years, Pat Norusis has worked side-by-side with Brother Michael in the Learning Lab at Cretin-Derham Hall. She said his deep faith always emanates to others. “He gives cards for every occasion,” she said. “The whole community really feels his presence and really cared for by him. Even if he’s a little stern and expects a lot, the students know he wants the best for them.” Senior Casey Malone-Povolny is one such student. “I look at Brother Michael as wanting to help people. He doesn’t do it for himself. He does it for others,” he said. Malone-Povolny continued: “If he can’t do it, he’ll find someone who can. I respect that.” For more information about religious orders in the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis, visit www.10000vocations. org.
January 29, 2015 • The Catholic Spirit