ANSWERING THE CALL TO DISCIPLESHIP

Bishop DeGrood’s vision of Lifelong Catholic Missionary Discipleship has taken root in Bishop O’Gorman Catholic Schools. From small group discussions with the central office staff to visits before the second graders’ first reconciliation, the students, staff, and families are being formed in their call to be missionary disciples. Central to the Christian life is the call of Jesus to, “Go make disciples” (Mt 28:19). This life-long call was not limited to the first 12 apostles, but rather has extended through the Church for over 2,000 years. Now, with the New Evangelization, the need for active missionary disciples is more necessary than ever. 

Bishop O’Gorman Catholic Schools’ discipleship formation mission is to support our different schools and teachers in their faith formation of their students. To encourage our students to grow in their friendship with Jesus through prayer by bringing practical tools and age-appropriate activities to make faith fun, personal, and relatable.

Each elementary school has the opportunity to create bridges of faith within their student body. At many of the elementary schools, students of all ages are grouped into faith families, who meet throughout the year to explore topics of our Catholic faith. The fourth through sixth grade students have a special session with the Pro Ecclesia Sancta (PES) sisters to learn about their important role, as the older students, in these groups. In addition, the PES sisters meet with each grade level sharing the good news of Jesus in an age appropriate way. These opportunities foster a personal connection between students and Jesus Christ through meaningful encounters, experiences, and the integration of Catholic-faith principles within the school environment.

At their own school, junior high students are leading their peers in the faith throughout the year. The peer ministers led a seventh-grade lock-in for over 100 students, where they engaged in activities, served at Mass, led small groups, and gave their own faith testimony.

Wade Charron, principal at O’Gorman Junior High noted,

I believe this year, our peer ministry program that the chaplain, sisters, and campus minister lead has really taken off. I really like to see the peer ministry students take on leadership roles, not only at the junior high but with outreach opportunities. When you have to teach about Christ, you really get to know Him.

Peer minister students have also visited the elementary schools to help teach prayer stations and lead mini-retreats for the sixth graders. These students also led Stations of the Cross throughout the Lenten season, speaking in front of the entire student body. Mr. Charron also commented on how these visible witnesses of the faith have changed the culture of the school,

When kids see other students stepping out of their comfort zone, others might be more likely to do the same, so if they can look to their classmates and see that they are having a relationship with Christ, that they’re in the chapel, that they're leading other students, they think, ‘I want to be like that.’

Mr. Charron shared that the entire culture of the school has been transformed into a more joyful and faith-filled environment, driven by students and staff boldly sharing their personal testimonies and embracing their call to be missionary disciples with Christ at the center.

At the high school, the freshmen helped lead their younger peers in the eighth-grade retreat, sophomores are facilitating bi-monthly small groups at the junior high, upperclassmen are leading at the fifth-grade retreat and giving their personal testimony of faith. With such a range of opportunities, many students are now volunteering to take part in these activities and, as a result, their own relationship with Christ is blossoming.

Brenna Kestel, senior at O’Gorman High School, said that she has lived out her call to missionary discipleship by being a part of the campus ministry team, leading a small group with underclassmen, helping at The Well, giving a talk at the fifth-grade retreat, and sharing her testimony with the confirmation class at her own parish. She shared,

Being involved with the [PES] sisters have given us many opportunities to be missionary disciples. In sharing my testimony, I was able to reflect on how much I have grown in my faith since confirmation, and hopefully that helps other people in their faith journey too.

The Bishop O’Gorman Catholic Schools staff are not excluded from living out their call to discipleship and learning more about how they can share their faith in all areas of their lives. Rochelle Lauret, O’Gorman High School theology teacher, facilitates a faculty faith sharing twice a month where all staff members have an open place to grow in their relationship with Christ. Additionally, monthly spiritual formation meetings are provided for the principals, cabinet members, and central office staff who are not only learning about how to be missionary disciples, but are putting it into practice.

Becca Thiry, enrollment coordinator, expressed,

I think it speaks volumes of the environment that there is a lot of trust and feeling like we can call each other higher and point each other back to Jesus. Having a space where we can talk about faith is so unique to a workplace.

She also commented how the Central Office small groups have allowed co-workers to share about their faith, ask for prayer intentions, or simply mention a Bible verse that is on their mind.

Other staff members are also witnessing the missionary call to live out the Gospel in each of their work areas and beyond. Teresa Hulscher, principal of St. Michael Elementary said that,

Missionary discipleship has shaped St. Michael Elementary into a faith-filled family. Staff and families share a mission for their students and every student is seen as a gift.

Al Costanzo, art teacher at the junior high and high school, shared that he sees staff members living out the missionary call in “modeling the virtues and holding students to the highest standards.”

Regan Manning, principal of Holy Spirit Elementary, witnessed a greater bond between Holy Spirit Parish and Holy Spirit Elementary through the various relationship ministry opportunities available. He said,

It appears that more of our families are participating and realizing the importance of attending Sunday Mass.

“We are all missionary disciples,” wrote the late Pope Francis. “Proclaiming Christ means showing that to believe in and to follow him is not only something right and true, but also something beautiful, capable of filling life with new splendour and profound joy.” (Evangelii Gaudium, 129)

The faith journey of our students and staff within our schools incorporates the importance of community in living out our faith. The opportunities presented through our Bishop O’Gorman Catholic Schools help our community carry out being Lifelong Catholic Missionary Disciples. From our youngest learners to graduating students and the dedicated staff who guide them, the joyful proclamation of their faith is changing the culture of the learning environment and workplace. May this example encourage each of us to also respond to the missionary call: “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.” (Mk 15:16).