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Serving Catholics in Western North Carolina in the Diocese of Charlotte
Volume 6 Number 4 • September 27, 1996
Diocesan Teachers, Support Staff Gather For Day Of Reflection
Asheville Catholic School
Encourages Teamwork, Fair Play Principal
By PAUL FREDETTE
By
Correspondent
ASHEVILLE
—
MIKE KROKOS Editor
CHARLOTTE — Catholic educators
Principal Judith Cavallo
behind in her paperwork. She won't get caught up today because she spent a good part of her
must journey with students down
afternoon helping a third grader explore alterna-
His disciples nearly 2,000 years ago, said Bishop G. Patrick Ziemann, a member of the National Conference of Catholic Bishops Committee on Education.
is
tive
ways of dealing with
way of reacting when
like Jesus Christ did for
his frustration. Start-
ing a fight with bystanders
is
not an acceptable
called "out" in a kickball
game lic
at
Asheville Catho-
"The
School. Earlier in the day
Cavallo
had
lunch trying to
an
acceptable level of coop-
from a tantrumprone lad in Pre-K. "People have always been more important to me eration
than paper," she says without an apology. "That's the thread in
my
life
—
the time
spend with
I
people, helping them to better understand themselves,
one another and
life."
In Cavallo' s view, not only students, but
teachers and parents also are out there trying to
—
win the game getting angry when "he says I'm out, but I'm not." Cavallo believes her role is to ask: "Is it that important? Is this life and death? How could we act in a way that will keep the game going, having fun with each other, not hurting one another?" "This is what being a principal is about and it
takes time," says Cavallo,
who
has already
spent 28 years in the classroom, both in paro-
and public schools. She grew up in a large family on the east side of Detroit and was soaked since baptism in a Catholic educational experience that eventually led her to join the Sisters of
chial
111., with whom she began her teaching career. In our throw-away consumer society, Cavallo is preoccupied by what are we leaving
— what
will
generations to come.
be our
spiritual legacy for
The education of our
chil-
dren causes ripples through time, she believes,
way that great writing lasts, which is why she majored in English literature at Loyola University of Chicago.
in the
As a young teacher, Cavallo' s goal was to become an administrator. "I always believed that a principal has a remarkable opportunity to cre-
atmosphere where teachers and students and parents can work together as a team." She
ate an
also believes her role as principal
encourage and help a child grow.
we
make
is
"We
did not recognize Jesus until they invited Photo by
Him to stay for the night. Jesus broke bread
JOANN KEANE
be Josie the Clown? We don't think so. Saint Joseph Sister Barbara Worley St. Ann faith formation director squeezes a dog creation out of a balloon at the Saint Ann parish fair. This year, rides and games filled the parish parking lot, Could
it
with them and then disappeared."
—
—
"That
when
have learned and
could change this around."
The harsh
of the educational system, however, wore down some of the idealism of her early years. Eventually, she made the difficult
her family.
As a mother of two chil-
dren, Cavallo believes that values are the
most important
gifts parents
can give their children. "I have always relied heavily on my faith and on prayer to create an atmosphere of understanding and an appreciation for individual uniqueness among people." Acceptance and respect, she says, have been recurring themes through the many changes in her life. She is proud that, whatever they may lack monetarily, "my son and daughter
have caring hearts." The emphasis society places on externals, Cavallo points out, is reflected in the
some
not brand
new and
parents' re-
lacks
of the latest innovations. mothers come here and say just like
when
some looks
they went to school
here 30 years ago." But Cavallo knows that the building doesn't create the product.
She taught
community
and put her career dreams on hold while raising
that invitation
in
See
Principal,
"We Christ
Order
4
Celebrates
5
150th
7 ....
8-9
to get kids to
their friend,"
know
Jesus
he added.
Another role of teachers
Ziemann
is
to be tal-
said.
They
must help students recognize and develop their skills. "There are three principles of happiness: I can only be happy if I grow in
my
talent areas; I don't
you
it
tell
me;
know my
talents
I
gets reflected back
by adults
—
parents, teachers, counselors."
Catholic Schools must also turn out more leaders and teach all students to pray, Bishop Ziemann added. "A leader is anyone who makes a difference for good," he said.
"You don't have to be elected, nomi-
nated, selected, voted upon, popular, smart
14-15
13
is
into their life."
need
cannot grow in recognized talents until you help me," Bishop Ziemann said. "Kids don't see themselves
page 12
Anniversary
im-
up from the person and asking
ent scouts, Bishop
until
inside
come
Jesus to
until
realities
decision to leave her religious
vite Jesus to stay with us. That's very
"Some it
the pivotal point of the story,
portant. Catholic education is setting
action to the school facility, which is
is
they invited Jesus to stay," an ani-
mated Bishop Ziemann noted. "If He didn't stay, they wouldn't have recognized Him. That is what Catholic education is all about: We, whether daily, weekly or monthly, in-
creating a true carnival atmosphere.
all fail,
mistakes; the real issue
principle of Catholic edu-
In the afternoon session of the daylong retreat, the bishop focused on Jesus' walk to Emmaus with His disciples after being raised from the dead. "The pair
to guide,
is what we how to go on." She describes herself as a person who reacts to negativity in a positive way. "I see a problem and think, we
all
is
schools.
Christian Charity in Wilmette,
behind
first
we have
to walk and listen with our kids, our students, our colleagues, and the question is: 'What are you discussing as you go your way? What's on your mind today?; What's in your heart today?; Talk to me, tell me,'" said Bishop Ziemann of Santa Rosa, Calif. The bishop was the guest speaker at a "Day of Reflection" held Sept. 20 at Charlotte Catholic High School for teachers and support staff for Diocese of Charlotte Schools. Bishop Ziemann used the Emmaus passage from the Bible as a paradigm of what educators do in Catholic
cation
missed elicit
their
Emmaus" and nurture them, much
"road to
Parish Profile
16
— anybody can be a
leader."
See Educators, page
1