Scholarship Dinner Speech: A brief Reflection from Mrs. Wagness

This speech was given by Mrs. Suzy Wagness, an SMA teacher with 35 years of experience in Catholic education, to those present at the Bishop’s 2019 Scholarship Dinner.

A brief reflection...
“Thank you. It is an honor to be here. Teresa Kenney sent me an email in August asking me to speak tonight. I hate to admit this, but I didn’t read the email thoroughly. What I thought the email said was; “Bishop’s Dinner. October 27th, please come.” I decided I better go back and read it. When I got to the part that read; “Would you be willing to speak at the Bishop’s Dinner?” I was certain the email had been sent to me by mistake.  I couldn’t do this. My usual crowd is 7 and 8 year-olds. The thought was too terrifying. Before I sent the immediate “No”, I stopped. I decided to think about it, pray about it, and asked Teresa to give me a little time before I made my decision. 

During the week and a half I took to think about it, I came up with a list of people who I thought should do it. But, it was my son, Billy’s insistence that brought me here. He knows the value of catholic education and the important role it has played in our lives. So, to prepare for this, I had two and a half months to reflect on the meaning of “legacy of Catholic education.” And I am serious when I say that I wrote and rewrote this no less than 20 times. In looking back on my life and the role Catholic education has played- it was emotional. I thought of my childhood, my teen and college years, and all of my years as an educatior. I am not going to give you the sum total of all those years, but I think you’ll have it all figured out by the time I’m done.  

Why would anyone stay in Catholic education for so many years? The answer is simple. It’s the kids. Like one of my former principals’s Sr. Peter Damien once said to me, ‘So fresh from the hand of God our children come to us. Take care of them.’ 

A little bit about my history- I grew up in a Catholic home in Duluth, one of six children. I had wonderful parents, my Mom a devout Catholic and my father who converted to Catholicism later in life. I attended public school and it was my Mom who decided I should continue my education at St. Scholastica. Under the guidance of the Benedictine Sisters, I pursued an elementary education degree and for the first time considered a vocation in Catholic schools. Following graduation, I left Duluth for a job at St. Joseph’s School in a little town north of Milwaukee. I needed a year quiet, a year where I could discern God’s call. I left Duluth confident and excited, but somewhere during that 8 hour drive, I began to second guess my decision. By the time I arrived in Fond du Lac, I came to the conclusion that I had made a mistake. I wanted to get back in my car and head home. I made a plan. I would attend the workshop for new teachers the following day and at the end of the workshop, I would tell my new principal, Sr. Carole that I was sorry I couldn’t honor my contract. I was heading back. The next day when I arrived at the workshop, Sr. Carole greeted the 12 new teachers. She stood at the podium, looked at us, and said “It is no accident that you are here. We prayed for you. We searched for you. God has brought you to us. You are meant to be here.” I decided to stay. God had a plan and I had to trust Him. I spent only one year in Wisconsin, but it was there I realized my teaching career would be in Catholic schools. 

I returned to Duluth and was hired at St. Anthony’s School in the HIllside. I was hired for the second grade position. At the end of that school year, our priest asked if I wanted to be principal. Seriously, I am not sure where that came from. But, I said “okay.” It was very brief. Only two years and then St. Anthony’s Parish and School closed. 

As sad as that was, God’s blessings abound. It was there I learned a life-long lesson. God doesn’t ask us to do anything without giving us everything we need to accomplish the task. And while it may appear this wasn’t exactly a success story with the closing of the school, God works in mysterious ways. Our little parochial school community learned so much. I learned a lot about sacrifice, not my own personal sacrifice, but the sacrifice that everyone in a school community is asked to make. I saw the struggle that parents often have in paying tuition. We know that there is always someplace else to put our money, especially if there isn’t much money to start with. It was very humbling to watch parents give more than I knew they could afford. Also, there is the sacrifice that priests make. Catholic schools depend on money provided by parishes and that, too, is money that could go elsewhere. After two years as principal, our little school voted to close. It was fiscally impossible to remail open. It was a painful decision and tears were shed. I don’t want to marginalize the hurt and often the confusion that occurs with a school closure, but it’s the moments of trial when you realize most that God does not abandon you. He walks through the sadness with you and eventually you are able to move on. 

It was 1984 and a few days after the school closure, I received a call from Sr. Marilyn Jean, a Dominican, who was the principal of Holy Rosary School. She invited me to interview for the 2nd grade position. I walked into the interview, and there sat Sr. Marilyn Jean and Fr. Lawrence O’Shea. I wasn’t expecting Fr. O’Shea. They asked me a few questions and when it was time to leave, Fr. O’Shea said to me; “Don’t leave here thinking you have this job. There are many qualified applicants and I will choose the best person for the job.” I left less than hopeful and deflated. The next day I got the call; the job was mine. Thank you for giving me the chance Fr. O’Shea. And, Holy Rosary has been where I have remained. It was the Dominican Sisters and the incredible lay staff who taught me how to hold the bar high academically and more importantly, how to see Christ in each student.

A few years later, my son was born and when the time came, my husband and I made the decision to send him to Catholic school. It was important to us that he receive an education with high academic standards but even more important that his faith would be nurtured so one day he would grow to be a man of faith. My son wrote down a few words he would like me to share with you.  “The value of Catholic education in my life is something that’s difficult to quantify because it has woven into so much of my post education adulthood. My Catholic education experience has wholly enriched my career in ways I could have never imagined as a child. I can say in full confidence, that my outlook on life would not be anywhere near what it is today if it weren’t for Catholic education’s impact.

In closing I’ll say, whatever I have contributed or done in the name of Catholic education pales in comparison to what I have received. Teaching in Catholic schools has been the means to which I have found my faith. Have you ever had the opportunity to pray the rosary with over 200 children? Attended a children’s liturgy? Have you ever prayed the Stations of the Cross with children and their parents? I can tell you that you cannot experience any of those things and remain unchanged. The seed that was planted in my youth was nourished and grew because of my years as a Catholic educator. I guess you could say I met my Savior through the students I have taught. I am in the twilight of my career and I am even more hopeful today than I was when my vocation began. When I think of the future of Catholic schools, I am confident. The reality is the buildings may change, the faces of teachers, students, and clergy change, but the one thing that remains constant is the presence of Christ. We exist because Catholic schools are part of the Mission of the Church. We are all part of the beautiful legacy of Catholic education. I will be forever grateful for the legacy which has been given to me. God Bless and thank you for this opportunity.