Having a faith conversation with old and new friends is as easy as setting the table.
FAITH
FEEDS GUIDE JOY
Introduction to FAITH FEEDS 3
Conversation Starters 6
• Cultivating Joy by Kelia Maul-Vera 7 Conversation Starters 9
• What Brings You Joy? by Tara Frost 10 Conversation Starters 12
• Discovering Joy In School Masses by Daniel Chisholm 13 Conversation Starters 15
• Gathering Prayer 16
Faith Feeds is an initiative by Boston College’s Church in the 21st Century Center (C21), which was founded in 2002 to serve as a catalyst and a resource for renewal of the Catholic Church in the United States. Faith Feeds was originally designed for individuals in Catholic parishes who are hungry for opportunities to talk about their faith with others who share it. Considering many Catholic schools are an extension of a parish, a customized set of guides has been developed for Catholic educators. C21 worked in partnership on this project with the Roche Center for Catholic Education, a center that forms Catholic educators to become agents of change who work to create excellent PreK-12 Catholic schools.
Educators in Catholic schools who strive for excellence embody the following virtues: adaptablility, joy, attentiveness, vision, and humility. St. Ignatius stated, “All the things in this world are gifts of God, created for us, to be the means by which we can come to know him better, love him more surely, and serve him more faithfully. As a result, we ought to appreciate and use these gifts of God insofar as they help us toward our goal of loving service and union with God.” (The Spiritual Exercises of Saint Ignatius of Loyola)
These Faith Feeds guides challenge Catholic educators to reflect on how they are living out their vocations in their everyday lives. Together, the C21 Center and the Roche Center hope to deepen the faith of educators and bring communities of people together through these Faith Feeds reflections and questions. All authors in these guides are committed Catholic educators who have a deep love for Catholic schools and strive daily in their vocations to love and serve God.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Who should host a FAITH FEEDS?
Anyone who has a heart for facilitating conversations about faith is perfect to host a FAITH FEEDS.
Where do I host a FAITH FEEDS?
You can host a FAITH FEEDS in-person or virtually through video conference software. FAITH FEEDS conversations are meant for small groups of 10-12 people.
What is the host’s commitment?
The host is responsible for coordinating meeting times, sending out materials and video conference links, and facilitating conversation during the FAITH FEEDS.
What is the guest’s commitment?
Guests are asked to read the articles that will be discussed and be open to faith-filled conversation.
Still have more questions?
No problem! Email church21@bc.edu and we’ll help you get set up.
READY TO GET STARTED?
STEP ONE
Decide to host a FAITH FEEDS. Coordinate a date, time, location, and guest list. An hour is enough time to allocate for the virtual or in-person gathering.
STEP TWO
Interested participants are asked to RSVP directly to you, the host. Once you have your list of attendees, confirm with everyone via email. That would be the appropriate time to ask in-person guests to commit to bringing a potluck dish or drink to the gathering. For virtual FAITH FEEDS, send out your video conference link.
STEP THREE
Review the selected articles from your FAITH FEEDS Guide and the questions that will serve as a starter for your FAITH FEEDS discussion. Hosts should send their guests a link to the guide, which can be found on bc.edu/FAITHFEEDS.
STEP FOUR
Send out a confirmation email a week before the FAITH FEEDS gathering. Hosts should arrive early for in-person or virtual set up. Begin with the Gathering Prayer found on the last page of this guide. Hosts can open the discussion by using the suggested questions. The conversation should grow organically from there. Enjoy this gathering of new friends, knowing the Lord is with YOU!
STEP FIVE
Make plans for another FAITH FEEDS. We would love to hear about your FAITH FEEDS experience. You can find contact information on the last page of this guide.
CONVERSATION STARTERS
Here are three articles to guide your FAITH FEEDS conversation. We suggest that you select two that will work best for your group, and if time permits, add in the third. In addition to the original article, you will find a relevant quotation, summary, and suggested questions for discussion. We offer these as tools for your use, but feel free to go where the Holy Spirit leads. Conversations should respect and ensure confidentiality between participants.
This guide’s theme is: Joy
CULTIVATING JOY
Kelia Maul-Vera
When I was a little girl, my grandfather would ask me the same question everyday before school, which was “why do we go to school?” To that, I recited, “we go school to learn - to get an education - so that we can be somebody!” This mantra not only ignited a spark in me that drove my educational studies throughout high school, college and post-grad, it followed me into my practice as an educator.
During my first day of teaching Pre-K, one of my students cried out ready to leave school and go home. To redirect the class, I shared my mantra with my students and we proclaimed it loud and proud for everyone to hear. In that moment, I knew that in order to ensure my students were excited about learning and about school, I would have to demonstrate their ability to do great things now, so that they would always be encouraged to strive for excellence in their futures. On that first day, students left knowing that in our classroom, we would learn, we would have fun, and we would do great things.
Everyday since, I have been intentional about creating and maintaining classroom environments guided by an ethic of care and a foundation of love. As a Catholic educator, I truly believe that we are all made in the image and likeness of God and that each child deserves to reach their fullest potential. Having been
an early childhood teacher for many years, I can attest that no two students are alike and so, it takes a level of discernment to discover who each child “is” and what each child “needs.” Some days, this might mean that students need to take a brain break and wiggle out their worries. Other days, the lesson might require boosting academic rigor and challenging them to take their work to the next level. The most important thing I’ve had to remember is that no matter the choice, decisions must be made with joy, love, and care in mind.
As I transitioned into my new role as academic dean, I reflected on my time as a classroom teacher and asked myself what practices I needed to continue as a school leader. Memory after memory flooded my mind, replaying the smiles, the laughs, and good times my students and I experienced. I noticed that much of the joy I had experienced as their teacher came not from seeing them excel in their studies, but in witnessing them discover their own inner joys.
In particular, I thought about the 7th birthday party of one of my students that I recently attended. During the party, my student revealed she had self-published her very own book! It was incredible to witness such an accomplishment at such a young age. When I went to take a picture with her and her family, her fa-
ther pulled me to the side and said, “she came to me with this wild idea to write a book!” She told him, “Ms. Kelia lets us write pretend stories all the time and share them with the class, so I wanna share one with all my friends and family!” My student had discovered her passion and unleashed the gift God had blessed her with, her magic of storytelling.
At this moment, I immediately thought back to my childhood mantra and decided, it was time to revise it. I had realized that going to school was more than just a quest to get an education, it was truly the pursuit of becoming somebody. When I had given students free time to write while laying on yoga mats or sitting in bean bag chairs with a squishmallow in one hand and a scented marker in the other, I was cultivating joy.
Sharing creative stories with supersized microphones; allowing flexible seating; engaging in community circles; bringing a “stuffy” to school; these were the kinds of practices I would ensure remained prevalent throughout my school community. I had come to see that sparking joy, inside the hearts and minds of little learners is what propels them to acquire more knowledge. Creating joyous learning opportunities and environments unveils students’ unique attributes and unleashes their gifts.
Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them (Romans 12:6). God granted us all with different gifts, some lay dormant until we are passionately inspired to pursue what’s within. I believe, as educators, we have a responsibility to teach with joy so that our students may learn with love. Learning, having fun, doing great things; all opportunities to cultivate joy, use His gifts and live in fulfillment. Moving forward, my revised mantra would be recited, loud and proud, “we go to school - to discover the ‘somebody’ who God intends us to be.”
Kelia Maul-Vera is the Academic Dean of Immaculate Conception School in the Bronx, New York.
CULTIVATING JOY
“To touch the hearts of your students is the greatest miracle you can perform.”
- St. Jean Baptiste de La Salle
Summary
Kelia Maul-Vera encourages students to discover who they are through her practices as a teacher in the classroom and as an academic dean in the wider school community. She remains intentional about incorporating love, joy, and care into her practices to spark joy and excitement about learning within her students, which brings her joy in turn. Her Catholic faith has a strong impact on her discernment of her students’ qualities and needs. She strives to create opportunities for students to experience joy, to fulfill their fullest potentials, and to use God’s gift. In this reflection, Kelia Maul-Vera describes the importance of creating opportunities for students “to discover the ‘somebody’ who God intends us to be.”
Questions for Conversation
1. How do you cultivate joy in your own life? In the lives of others?
2. Reflect on your time as a student. Was joy present in your school community? If so, in what ways has joy impacted your educational experience? Has it influenced the “somebody” you are today?
3. Maul-Vera says that “educators have a responsibility to teach with joy.” What might “teaching with joy” look like? Feel like? Sound like?
WHAT BRINGS YOU JOY?
By Tara Frost
Just recently, I was sitting with colleagues during a team building activity. We were asked a very simple question: What brings you joy? Now, as an educator, my response is simple: watching a student understand a concept that he/she has been struggling to
grasp. This concept could be something as complex as a math problem, or structuring an essay. Over the last twenty years, I have watched a countless number of students work tirelessly to effectively put into practice what they have learned, or have fought so hard to
execute. When all of the steps have been achieved, and that ‘light bulb’ moment hits, the beaming smile from cheek to cheek makes it all worthwhile. That ‘light bulb’ moment is what brings me joy; there is nothing more rewarding for a teacher than watching students become resilient during tough times.
During the course of my twenty years living and teaching in London, I would call my grandparents every Sunday without fail. I would normally call in the afternoon, after I had been to Mass. I would talk to my grandparents about the past week, my adventures of living in Europe, and of course, about my week teaching. My grandparents were my biggest supporters in life. I remember when I told my grandmother I wanted to become a teacher. She encouraged me every step of the way, from graduating high school, to earning my degree, to getting my first job and moving to London. During the times when I experienced difficulties in reaching my students and supporting their learning, my grandmother would listen while I told her about how difficult things were and how defeated I felt. She would always tell me to remember that “A joyful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones” (Proverb 17:22). She would always end our phone call with this proverb, and I would go to bed just that little bit more eager to start Monday afresh. Little did I know, some twenty years later, I would continue to manifest this quote, not only in my teaching, but in my everyday life. Two years ago, my husband and I adopted a puppy from Puerto Rico. We adopted Alfie on Valentine’s Day; now if that doesn’t bring one joy, I don’t know what does! I have always been a dog person; growing up, we had two family dogs. Alfie has brought me joy in more ways than one. From learning how to walk on a leash, to fetching a ball, or giving high fives to people (especially his human grandparents), Alfie always brings a smile to my face. He is the essence of joy. There is nothing better than coming home from work, and seeing his tail wag uncontrollably because he is happy to see me. It is very difficult to be sad when Alfie is around; it is like he senses unhappiness. When he senses that someone is sad, or stressed, he will give you the biggest hug (along with a nice big, sloppy, puppy kiss). Alfie has such a joyful heart, and it is seeing his joy in seemingly the smallest things, that I am reminded that joy, while so very important in life, can so often be derived from the simplest things in life.
I began by talking about how seeing my students
get through tough times in learning, seeing that lightbulb moment, but I am reminded by my puppy, Alfie, that it doesn’t always need to be a big lightbulb moment which can bring us joy; sometimes it is the simple things in life that are the most important, and also the most joyful!
Tara Frost is an Instructional Coach at the Roche Center for Catholic Education
WHAT BRINGS YOU JOY?
“God made us for joy. God is joy, and the joy of living reflects the original joy that God felt in creating us.”
- St. Pope John Paul II
Summary
Tara Frost reflects on professional and personal experiences that have brought her joy. The “light bulb” moment brings her joy when a student understands a concept after struggling to grasp it and dedicating time to work through tasks. Frost also recalls her phone calls with her grandparents and her grandmother’s support throughout her life, particularly in her professional journey as a teacher. The proverb from Psalms that her grandmother continuously stated encouraged Frost to have a joyful heart both in her teaching career and in her everyday life, such as the joyful heart of her dog, Alfie. In this reflection, Tara Frost illustrates how joy can be found both in the big, “light bulb” moments and in the simple things that people experience every day.
Questions for Conversation
1. Like the “lightbulb” moments, where do you find joy in education?
2. How do you help students find and notice joy?
3. What prayers or proverbs do you use to help you find joy?
DISCOVERING JOY IN SCHOOL MASSES
By Daniel Chisholm
As we settled into church and prepared for the beginning of Mass, one kindergarten student had a very important question. He leaned over and earnestly asked his teacher, “When are the Saints going to get here?” I suppose the classroom discussion about the Feast of All Saints led him to think we’d have some special guests for that day’s Mass. While his question may elicit a smile or slight chuckle, I admire his curiosity and take great enthusiasm from his interest in the Mass and his question means more to me than you might expect.
As educators, we often look for the “ah ha” moments in the classroom when a concept begins to stick. In those moments, we can quite clearly see the gears turning inside students’ heads and we are there hoping for the gears to make one more turn and make a full connection. It’s these small moments of success in the classroom that energize us and inspire us day after day.
While I also enjoy these moments in the classroom as much as any educator, I’ve found that some
of my most joyful moments in Catholic schools arise in the small moments at school Masses when you can see the seeds of faith sprouting. Like those moments in the classroom, they are more than just reasons to smile. They are poignant and inspirational.
Truth be told, I was a little tired and lost in the thoughts of an incomplete to-do list moments before that All Saints Day Mass. When our school choir began, “When the Saints Go Marching In,” their singing created a palpable energy that invigorated me for the celebration of Mass. It was a brief moment, but it filled me with sudden and overwhelming joy.
As Catholic educators, we are called to help inspire the faith of those we teach. Yet, I find that oftentimes it works in reverse. Watching faith cultivate in elementary students inspires my own faith. Some of the most joyful moments that I’ve witnessed at school Masses include:
• Watching a typically reluctant reader ascend to the lectern to proclaim the first reading
• Listening to three and four-year-olds unite their
voices to pray the “Our Father”
• Hearing the empathy in student-written petitions
• Seeing second graders receive the Eucharist for the first time after their First Communion
While the Eucharist is still paramount, these moments are vital to my experience at Mass. They grab hold of me and pull me joyfully into the liturgical celebration. My experience at a Catholic college was pivotal in my own faith journey. Masses were celebrated on Sunday evenings and the pews of the chapel were full of my peers. At that time, it was the presence of my peers that added joy to my sacramental experience. Now, the congregation and communal nature of Mass continues to bring me joy, but the faces in the pews are younger and represent new disciples. These small moments represent the start of their faith journey. Seeing theirs start inspires me to keep going on mine.
It might not have been what he expected, but our kindergarten student received his answer. In his homily, our pastor reflected on those people in his life who went before him and inspired his faith. He went on to tell our students that each of them is on his or her own path to sainthood. So little did he know that he walked to church and settled among the saints as he took the first steps on his own journey to sainthood. I hope my faith journey inspires his in some way, but I know his will joyfully inspire mine.
Daniel Chisholm is the Principal of Holy Name Parish School.
DISCOVERING JOY IN SCHOOL MASSES
“And he said: ‘Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever takes the lowly position of this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. And whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me.’”
- Matthew 18:3-5
Summary
Daniel Chisholm reflects on the small moments during liturgical celebrations that bring him joy when students are beginning their faith journeys and participating in Mass. Chisholm illustrates his joyful interactions with students and the students’ start of their journeys towards sainthood through examples, including a story of a student asking about the saints before Mass on All Saints Day. Chisholm values the mutual, inspirational influences between Catholic educators and students during their faith journeys. In this reflection, Daniel Chisholm describes his experiences of inspiring students’ faith journeys towards sainthood and inspiration in his own faith journey from his students.
Questions for Conversation
1. When do you see the seeds of faith sprouting in your students?
2. In what moments do you find joy at Mass?
3. How does the faith you see in others, including your students, inspire your own?
GATHERING PRAYER
Personal Prayer of Pedro Arrupe
Pedro Arrupe, S.J. (1907-1991)
Grant me, O Lord, to see everything now with new eyes, to discern and test the spirits, that help me read the signs of the times, to relish the things that are yours, and to communicate them to others. Give me the clarity of understanding that you gave Ignatius.
