Reflections on Another Amazing Year

By MICHAEL GERARD

We are fast approaching the end of the school year. Our Catholic School teachers have been on mission teaching faith and academics all year. They are happy servants who go into the classroom day after day facing a room of hungry minds challenging their teachers to show them their best. One of those happy servants is Darlene Boe. Mrs. Boe has served as principal of Sacred Heart Catholic School in Adams since 2012. Before she was principal, Mrs. Boe began teaching at Sacred Heart in 1981. Mrs. Boe is the epitome of service and dedication. She puts in long hours at the school and then serves her parish on Sunday in music ministry. Sacred Heart Parish and School in Adams Minnesota is a better place for Mrs. Boe’s selfless labor. Bishop Robert Barron has recognized Mrs. Boe with the honor of bestowing upon her the Bishop's Medal. Mrs. Boe received the medal at the school Mass on April 12 surrounded by her family and friends. Thank you Mrs. Boe for showing us what service is all about.

Surrounded by her family, Principal Darlene Boe holds the Bishop's Medal with which she was presented on April 12.

Our Catholic Schools strive to meet the individual academic needs of our students. Smaller class sizes, close working relationships with parents and the belief in the God-given talents of each of our students help them to realize their potential. Parents often share stories of student success and attribute a large part of that to the environment of our Catholic Schools. I want to honor one of our outstanding students, Francis Koll, a junior at Cotter Schools, who achieved a perfect score of 36 on the ACT! Join us in celebrating his outstanding achievement. Francis is an example of a culture of excellence and achievement that is the norm in our Catholic Schools.

I want to thank all of our school staff who are retiring this year. Service to our Lord is always a rewarding adventure. The cliché says, “Teamwork makes the dream work,” and I do look at this vocation as being part of a team. I look at our faith kind of like a football game. The game goes until Jesus returns in his glory. Until that time, it us up to you and me to take the ball and advance down the field. Maybe you are feeling a stronger call to serve the Lord. It could be that he is calling you to consecrated life, or to serve in one of our many open employment positions. If you are feeling called to something I urge you to take up that ball and join us in our mission.

• Vocations - dowr.org/offices/vocations/index.html

• Job Openings - dowr.org/about/employment.html

All of our Catholic schools are currently enrolling for next year. Join us for excellence and adventure. Our schools offer Preschool-12 grade in our diocese. Please call 507-858-1269 for more information.

Holy Spirit Catholic School, Rochester

Lourdes High School, Rochester

Pacelli Catholic Schools, Austin

Cotter Schools, Winona

Crucifixion School, La Crescent

Loyola School, Mankato

Noah's Ark, Pipestone

Sacred Heart School, Adams

Sacred Heart School, Waseca

Saint Casimir School, Wells

Saint Felix School, Wabasha

Saint Francis of Assisi School, Rochester

Saint John the Evangelist School, Rochester

Saint John Vianney School, Fairmont

Saint Mary School, Caledonia Saint Mary School, Madelia

Saint Mary School, Worthington

Saint Mary School, Owatonna

Saint Peter School, Hokah

Saint Pius X School, Rochester

St. Theodore Catholic School, Albert Lea

Michael Gerard is Assistant Superintendent of Catholic Schools in the Diocese of Winona-Rochester.