Catholic Schools
6
The Works of Mercy
Keep Us on the Path to Heaven By MICHAEL GERARD
�Catholic ast week, the leaders of our diocesan schools were blessed to celebrate
the feast of the Immaculate Conception with Bishop Barron. Afterward, we met with Bishop, who presented us with a challenge. He challenged us to focus on teaching the Spiritual and Corporal Works of Mercy in our schools. I will argue that our world has strayed from these basic tenets of the Catholic Faith. Our society seems like it is lost. Have you ever been lost? I know I have. It is not a good feeling. Once, I was on a portage between Clearwater Lake and West Pike in the Boundary Waters. It is nearly a mile portage. Before we began the portage, the sun was setting, and the light was growing dim. All the campsites on Clearwater were taken, and we had to go to the next lake to avoid a hefty fine for camping outside of a designated camping area. My father argued that we should risk the fine and camp on the portage. I argued that we should continue. I “won” the argument, and we donned our heavy packs and the canoe. It was a cloudy, moonless evening, and we trudged down the trail into the deep, dark, woods. To make things worse, we forgot to pack a flashlight. As we made painstakingly slow progress, my father left me and returned to the beginning of the portage to retrieve an essential piece of kit we had forgotten. I continued alone in the pitch dark, and it did not take long before I lost the narrow portage trail. I knew I lost the trail because I was beset on every side by branches. I was standing in the thick brush. I had on a heavy pack, was carrying a 70-pound canoe, and could not even see my hand in front of my face. I nearly panicked. Instead, I froze. I was not where I wanted to be. I wanted to return to the trail, likely only a few dozen feet away. I calmly and very slowly began to walk backward until I was out of the brush and on the trail again. As I continued down the dark trail, I was reunited with my father, and we had to hold hands to help each other to keep from falling over the rocks and roots along the way.
Even in the pitch dark we were able to feel our way along the path and make it to the next camping spot. I'm telling you that story to illustrate a point. I think we all can agree that our world is not on the narrow path that Jesus laid out. We have wandered off the path. We are in the bushes and can’t see. Let us stop moving forward and take a few steps back to the last place where things were OK. I am not talking about 1956 or 1565. I am talking about the good Christian path. The “you do you” attitude of today is not healthy or helpful. Many people have wandered into the bushes and can’t see a way out. It would be helpful to have a set of instructions, a path, so to speak, to follow. Living the Works of Mercy will help keep us on the path to heaven. It will help us to feel better about ourselves. Who doesn't feel better when they help a fellow human? It feels good to help, like scratching an itch on your back. It feels better when someone else does it for you. We need each other. We are not called to stoicism. We are called to love. We are called to help each other on the path to heaven. Bishop Barron is challenging our schools to learn and live the Corporal and Spiritual Works of Mercy. He is calling us to follow in the path of Jesus. Care for the homeless, naked, hungry, thirsty, sick, imprisoned, and dead has all declined in recent years. Many see it as someone else's job. Ebenezer Scrooge said, “Why should I give when I am already taxed for such things.” That is the
Deacon Sean Costello
Superintendent of Catholic Schools scostello@dowr.org
problem. We have outsourced these works and often don’t give them a second thought. We have left the path. I am the first to admit that I fall into the category of “needs improvement.” I am not okay as I am, and I can do a lot better. Sometimes, it takes a leader to stand up and call us to battle. Bishop Barron has given us a mandate and has called us to action. It is up to us to pick up the gauntlet and begin to work together. A call to get out of the bushes and onto the path. I encourage you to join us in this endeavor. Our schools need you. We need teachers, classroom aids, volunteers, and supporters. Most of all, we need your prayers. Join us in this mission to get back on the narrow path, and let us help each other achieve heaven. Heaven in short moments here on earth and for all of eternity. Many hands make light work. Join us in our mission today. God bless! Michael Gerard is the Assistant Superintendent of Catholic Schools for the Diocese of Winona-Rochester.
Spiritual Works of Mercy
Corporal Works of Mercy
Admonish Sinners Instruct the Uninformed Counsel the Doubtful Comfort the Sorrowful Be Patient with Those in Error Forgive Offenses Pray for the Living and the Dead
Feed the Hungry Give Drink to the Thirsty Clothe the Naked Shelter the Homeless Visit the Sick Visit the Imprisoned Bury the Dead
Celebrating St. Lucia at St. Casimir's School Submitted by JINGER WOODRING
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he kindergarten, first and second grade class of St. Casimir's School in Wells celebrated St. Lucia's Day on December 13 by reading the book Lucia, Saint of Light by Katherine Bolger Hyde, and learning about the life of St. Lucy and how a few countries celebrate the special day. For instance, in Sweden, the oldest girl in the family will dress up in a white gown, wear a crown wreath with candles and bring special treats to family members in the early morning! According to legend, Lucia, or Lucy, would carry food and water to Christians who had been forced to hide out in the catacombs of Rome. The catacombs were dark, and Lucy needed her hands free to carry supplies. Therefore, she created her own "headlamp" of a wreath of candles placed on her head to light her way. The students re-enacted their own version of this holiday and followed in St. Lucy's footsteps by dressing in white gowns, wearing paper wreaths with candles and singing a hymn as they walked to the principal's January 2024 w The Courier w dowr.org
office to share a treat with Mr. Hengel! St. Lucia's Day celebrates light returning to the long, dark days of winter - especially the winter solstice which is the shortest day of the year. Jinger Woodring is a teacher at St. Casimir's School in Wells.
On Friday, December 8, St. Mary's School, Madelia, celebrated Mass with many parishioners and then had a procession with the Blessed Virgin Mary. This celebration was in honor of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary. This Holy Day of Obligation holds a special place in our hearts as it is for our namesake, St. Mary. Father Hall makes sure that we have many special activities to celebrate many of the Church’s special days in the calendar year. We also get to fly rockets on Ascension Day. We have a special celebration for Epiphany and of course Advent and Lent traditions. There is always something to be thankful for here at St. Mary’s School. Photo and caption submitted by Principal JEN SLATER.
