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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


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Sept 27, 1996 by Catholic News Herald - Issuu