Finding Faith in Catholic Schools
This story was contributed by Sarah Pennings, Admissions Director at Stella Maris Academy.
One of the most common questions I receive from new parents who tour our schools is “How is the Catholic faith incorporated into the school day?” That question can be answered in two ways. The first is to let parents know we have daily religion class and weekly Mass every Wednesday at 8:00 a.m. The second answer is much more complicated.
Before coming to Duluth, my family and I lived in St. Joseph, Minnesota. My husband and I were looking for a preschool program for our son. Our neighbor suggested we attend the open house at the St. Joseph Lab School connected to our local Catholic Church, so we did. The open house was path-changing, because our intention had been to send our children to the local public school.
At the open house, Cheri Burg, the preschool teacher, instantly connected with my son. She had a gift for relating to all of the children in her classroom, and celebrated their uniqueness in a way that was truly beautiful. She always seemed to be carrying a child, sitting alongside one, or wiping tears away for another when the dreaded “goodbye Mom” came for those anxious little ones. She was able to explain huge concepts like Easter and the Holy Spirit to inspire passion and love in the children. Cheri was our first example of what incorporating faith in Catholic school looked like.
When my son was in the second grade, he made the decision to donate a new bike to a local homeless shelter for Christmas. His teacher learned about his act of kindness and called the local papers, insisting they write an article about him to celebrate the gift the children at “A Place of Hope” received. This was the same teacher that prepared a Seder meal every Lent and personally washed each child's hands as she prayed over them. This incorporation of faith deeply touched everyone who experienced it.
These moments of faith, compassion, love and service are not exclusive to my family’s first Catholic school experience. When we moved to Duluth in 2015, our new Catholic school community at Stella Maris Academy welcomed us with open arms. My daughter fit right into her third grade classroom as though she had been with them since preschool. At our first conference, Belle’s teacher asked us to describe our favorite attribute of our daughter. When I responded “Joy, pure joy,” she wholeheartedly agreed. I was so moved that she not only saw Belle as a student, but genuinely felt Belle’s joy, too. It was clear her teacher and the students were living their faith and accepted Belle as one of their own.
In 2017, I had an opportunity to take a position in the admissions office at Stella Maris Academy and to experience this school as a staff member. I am now able to see how the secretaries welcome the children every day, help them when they are sick, and make sure they are safely where they need to be. I see the President and all she gives of herself every waking hour to make this a successful community where students thrive. I see the principals and teachers who care so deeply about their campuses and the families within them. I see the maintenance staff work incredibly hard to care for the spaces where our children learn, play, and pray. These individuals are all examples of how faith is incorporated in our daily life at Stella Maris Academy.
To truly see the Catholic School difference, you need to walk through our hallways, sit with our teachers and experience the confidence and joy of our students. This February during our open houses, I invite you to come and feel what our campuses have to offer for your family.