Sad Times in America
I'm the product of a Roman Catholic education. I was baptized Catholic, raised Catholic, and can state with complete security that my sound sense of morality has everything to do with my parents and the schools that I attended. The educators in those schools were outstanding in that they were genuine, concerned, and most defintely selfless. Most educators at private institutions such as the schools that I attended will tell you that the monetary compensation for their labor was less than what they would have wished for. They will tell you that there were times that money was tight and that they sometimes had to get a second job. But they will also tell you something that many other educators will never experience- they will tell you about family...the universal kind.
Walking through the halls of Epiphany (my grammar school) and Immaculate Heart of Mary (my H.S.) I felt as safe as if I were at home. At Epiphany, I vividly remember a weekly assembly we called "faith community," which was a gathering of the entire school into the gymnasium. There we would watch re-enactments of various bible stories that were assigned to each grade level to perform. Every skit was memorable, touching, and was wrapped up with the heart-warming words of our principal, Sister Christina Helstley. Every week she told us all how much she loved us and our school and the best part about that was that she meant it every time. We all loved her right back. Every morning as all of us children walked into the building, she would stand at the top of the staircase, with a smile on her face and open arms waiting to greet us with hugs and sweet words. What I loved so much about Epiphany was that every teacher I had there had the same attitude about children and education as Sr. Christina did. I can confidently tell you that I would NEVER have had that experience at a public school.
Immaculate Heart of Mary (IHM) is an all-girls Catholic school that I am unbelievably sad to see close down. The value of the life lessons that I learned there will never again be known by other young women. They will never learn about sisterhood. They will never experience KAIROS- the most AMAZING spiritual retreat there is on planet earth. They won't ever have the pleasure of telling everyone that they were taught by some of the world's most dedicated, effective, intelligent, self-sacrificing human beings.
About 2 years back, Mr. Daniel Keough passed away in an untimely fashion. He was a religious studies professor at Immaculate Heart of Mary. I attended the mass that was held in his honor at Holy Name Cathedral. The entire church was full. Students, fellow teachers, and family filled every pew, every moment. Every tear that fell was heard. That's how damn close we all were. I miss Mr. Keough soooo very much and very recently when I visited IHM, it was very difficult to walk past room 205, his room.
It's hard to stomach the fact that IHM and Epiphany are closing, but it is even harder to deal with knowing that a collective number of about 23 Roman Catholic schools in the Archdioces are closing down, mostly due to low enrollment. SAD TIMES IN AMERICA. Yes, private schooling is costly, but it is worth every penny. What the hell is wrong with you, America?!
http://www.suntimes.com/output/news/cst-nws-cath25.html
My parents worked their tails off to be able to provide my siblings and I with the gift of a Catholic education. They sacrificed having nice cars and a nice home! They had their priorities straight because they knew that if there's anything that can never be taken away from their children, its a quality education.
At this rate, I fear that soon, all Catholic schools will be wiped out. I feel sorry for future generations, including my own children, if I ever have any. You will never know what it's like to have a universal family. Your parents will have to work extra hard to show you how to care for the world and for those around you. Their will be a scarcity of the kind of hearts that are formed by the schooling provided at many of the schools that are closing down. My prayers are with you.
The quotes of the day will be the alma maters of both Epiphany and IHM.
"Epiphany, Epiphany-
Proudly do we praise you.
We thank you for the gift you are
to each and every one of us.
We strive for peace and learning well
to live in perfect harmony.
Epiphany, Epiphany, we'll always love you dear."
"IHM High, lead us ever nigh to goals both high and true.
For minds trained, for friends gained, we're grateful now to you.
As the years roll by, your standards high will tell the whole world why..
In the halls of fame you'll find the name of IHM High!"
Walking through the halls of Epiphany (my grammar school) and Immaculate Heart of Mary (my H.S.) I felt as safe as if I were at home. At Epiphany, I vividly remember a weekly assembly we called "faith community," which was a gathering of the entire school into the gymnasium. There we would watch re-enactments of various bible stories that were assigned to each grade level to perform. Every skit was memorable, touching, and was wrapped up with the heart-warming words of our principal, Sister Christina Helstley. Every week she told us all how much she loved us and our school and the best part about that was that she meant it every time. We all loved her right back. Every morning as all of us children walked into the building, she would stand at the top of the staircase, with a smile on her face and open arms waiting to greet us with hugs and sweet words. What I loved so much about Epiphany was that every teacher I had there had the same attitude about children and education as Sr. Christina did. I can confidently tell you that I would NEVER have had that experience at a public school.
Immaculate Heart of Mary (IHM) is an all-girls Catholic school that I am unbelievably sad to see close down. The value of the life lessons that I learned there will never again be known by other young women. They will never learn about sisterhood. They will never experience KAIROS- the most AMAZING spiritual retreat there is on planet earth. They won't ever have the pleasure of telling everyone that they were taught by some of the world's most dedicated, effective, intelligent, self-sacrificing human beings.
About 2 years back, Mr. Daniel Keough passed away in an untimely fashion. He was a religious studies professor at Immaculate Heart of Mary. I attended the mass that was held in his honor at Holy Name Cathedral. The entire church was full. Students, fellow teachers, and family filled every pew, every moment. Every tear that fell was heard. That's how damn close we all were. I miss Mr. Keough soooo very much and very recently when I visited IHM, it was very difficult to walk past room 205, his room.
It's hard to stomach the fact that IHM and Epiphany are closing, but it is even harder to deal with knowing that a collective number of about 23 Roman Catholic schools in the Archdioces are closing down, mostly due to low enrollment. SAD TIMES IN AMERICA. Yes, private schooling is costly, but it is worth every penny. What the hell is wrong with you, America?!
http://www.suntimes.com/output/news/cst-nws-cath25.html
My parents worked their tails off to be able to provide my siblings and I with the gift of a Catholic education. They sacrificed having nice cars and a nice home! They had their priorities straight because they knew that if there's anything that can never be taken away from their children, its a quality education.
At this rate, I fear that soon, all Catholic schools will be wiped out. I feel sorry for future generations, including my own children, if I ever have any. You will never know what it's like to have a universal family. Your parents will have to work extra hard to show you how to care for the world and for those around you. Their will be a scarcity of the kind of hearts that are formed by the schooling provided at many of the schools that are closing down. My prayers are with you.
The quotes of the day will be the alma maters of both Epiphany and IHM.
"Epiphany, Epiphany-
Proudly do we praise you.
We thank you for the gift you are
to each and every one of us.
We strive for peace and learning well
to live in perfect harmony.
Epiphany, Epiphany, we'll always love you dear."
"IHM High, lead us ever nigh to goals both high and true.
For minds trained, for friends gained, we're grateful now to you.
As the years roll by, your standards high will tell the whole world why..
In the halls of fame you'll find the name of IHM High!"
posted by LoveisLife4Nen at 11:59 PM
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