A prayerful, united start to the new school year

by Kim Roberts

By Kim Roberts
Clarion Herald

More than 3,000 teachers, faculty and staff representing 67 Catholic schools attended a day of formation on Aug. 2 hosted by the Archdiocese of New Orleans’ Department of Catholic Education and Faith Formation (DCEFF) at Xavier University’s Convocation Center.

For the past seven years, the DCEFF has hosted the event for schools to gear up for the new school year.

Prepare with prayer

“The primary purpose of the event is human and spiritual formation,” said Dr. RaeNell Houston, superintendent of Catholic schools. “This gathering includes the leaders, faculty and staff of all of our Catholic schools in the Archdiocese of New Orleans along with our archdiocesan DCEFF staff. Our prayer is that this day of formation will help our Catholic school employees understand and embrace their role as lay ministers.”

The day began at 9 a.m. with praise and worship followed by a Mass celebrated by Archbishop Gregory Aymond. Following Mass, attendees were treated to a presentation by nationally known guest speaker Carlos Whitaker, a social media personality and author of the book “How to Human.”

Whitaker has spoken often about refusing to let disagreements “define us.”

“We can say no to becoming upset, rage-filled humans and say yes to fuller, happier lives,” he wrote. “It begins as we make the shift from ‘me’ to ‘we’ to ‘everybody’ in a three-part journey to be human, see fellow humans and free those around us.”

“Most people can admit that we live in a hurting and divided world,” Houston said. “As Christians, we believe that Jesus came to heal and reconcile hearts. In his book, our guest speaker reminded us that God works through our humanity as he draws us closer to himself. Learning how to better connect with our humanity is central not only to living with and loving one another, but also to living with and loving God.”

Martha Mundine, deputy superintendent of Catholic schools, said Deacon Michael Whitehouse, deputy director of faith formation, recommended Whitaker as the guest speaker for the day of formation so that he could inspire all in attendance as they began the new school year.

Leading the youth

Archbishop Aymond thanked the teachers and faculty for their involvement in the ministry of Catholic education and how valuable it is to form the hearts and minds of the youth entrusted to their care.

“What brings us here today is our common ministry of teaching and leading our young people,” he said. “You know better than I that it is a complicated and demanding ministry, but success can be achieved through our dedication. Because in this ministry, you and I are called to teach and to lead as Jesus did. God has led you to this ministry. And I thank you for saying yes, even on the tough days.”

He went on to cite Pope Francis’ reflection that Catholic schools remain an essential place for the evangelization of the young.

“Those are very, very powerful words, and especially as we apply them to your ministry,” the archbishop said. “Over 3,000 of you are here today; that is powerful. Catholic education, as you know, is work. It doesn't magically appear. It takes a faculty working together and believing in one another.”

Mundine said having everyone who works in Catholic education come together is a way for those involved in the ministry to be reminded of the power of the Catholic school family and the impact it has on the community.

“The excitement and energy of the crowd today definitely made me feel proud to be part of something so much bigger than myself,” Mundine said. “We have received so much outstanding feedback from the teachers and administrators who attended the event.”

Recommitting to success

The educators were also called to recommit to their ministry and received a blessing for a successful and faith-filled academic year.

“We hope to empower all Catholic school educators to better connect with their colleagues, with their students and parents, and ultimately with their own identity as daughters and sons of God,” Houston said. “We intentionally gather together annually as a faith community to encourage, inspire and renew our leaders, faculty and staff individually in their vocation. Also, we seek to offer them the opportunity to recognize and experience their connection to one another in this common vocation to form disciples of Jesus.”

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