reason #2 why I love Catholic schools: it's the teachers, Baby!

“Hence we must say that for the knowledge of any truth whatsoever man needs divine help, that the intellect may be moved by God to its act. But he does not need a new light added to his natural light, in order to know the truth in all things, but only in some that surpasses his natural knowledge” 

[Summa Theologiae, I-II, 109, 1]

"Love takes up where knowledge leaves off."

~Thomas Aquinas, 

patron saint of Catholic Schools,

whose Memorial is today!

Middle school teachers at St. Charles Borromeo School, Oklahoma City
 dress up for "Book Character Day"
they also  host DEAR (drop everything and read) and cook pancakes for the students!
Catholic Schools Week, 2014

I'm proud to say that two of our daughters have served as Catholic School teachers.

And after two wonderful years teaching middle school and high school at Lourdes Central Catholic in Nebraska City, daughter Michelle is currently serving her second year of teaching at St. Charles Borromeo Catholic School in Oklahoma City.

In addition to my own mom, who taught in Catholic schools until we moved to the United States when I was a teenager, I have always been surrounded by teachers-- all levels, all types of schools -- father, brother, husband, father and mother in-law, and now, daughters and daughter in law! 

Seeing first hand the hard work, energy, time-commitment and faithfulness of these family members who are teachers, I've always had a special place in my prayers for all teachers. 

Super Hero day, Catholic Schools Week 2013,
St. Charles Borromeo School

coach Michelle, praying with her volleyball team,
Lourdes Central Catholic

cheering football team at away game, Michelle with her friend Sally,
Lourdes Central Catholic 

Always underpaid, those who have made teaching their vocation do so because they're answering a special call to serve, and to spread the Gospel through their lives. 

This goes doubly so for Catholic school teachers, who work extremely hard, often get paid even less, and are still willing to go many extra miles for their students.

I love Catholic schools because of the dedication of their teachers! 

future vocation/role model day at
St. Charles Borromeo School
Catholic Schools Week, 2014

[this one is based on a previous (edited) post, published here]

when does a saint become a saint?

I love the many photos of Father Stan with children

baptizing parishioner at Santiago Atitlán parish

Since my post yesterday, remembering the anniversary of Father Stanley Rother’s martyrdom, I’ve been thinking about how the ordinary work and devotion of one person can, truly, change and affect an entire community—and beyond.

Officially, the Archdiocese of Oklahoma City has presented Father Stan’s cause for canonization to the Congregation for the Causes of Saints in Rome, making him a Servant of God.

But in reality, the people of Santiago Atitlán are not waiting for an official declaration. They already affirm Padre Apla’s (Francis in their native Tz’utujil language) a saint—their saint, and they come to him daily asking for his help and intercession, much as they did during the 13 years that he served them as their priest.

Father Stan’s death, like his life, is simply one more outward sign of his deep and abiding holy love for them.

“He was a courageous missionary, who in spite of the violence that surrounded him, did not leave his flock. He is a great example for me, someone who gave his life for the People of God,” told me Sister Ambrosia, a member of the Hermanas Misioneras de la Eucaristía, Missionary Sisters of the Eucharist, who remembers and survived the years of violent social unrest in Guatemala.

“I can’t tell you how much I admire him. He could have returned to his country, but instead he remained with his people here. He represents Jesus,” Sister Ambrosia emphasized, “who gave His life for all of us. All of Guatemala already knows that he is a saint.”

Father Stan visits with a parishioner

Present day Santiago Atitlán parishioner at Memorial Mass for Padre Apla's

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note: check out Oklahoma City Archbishop Paul Coakley's column (July 28, 2011) on Father Stanley Rother, reprinted here.

A life well-lived: Father Stanley Rother

I spent a good chunk of today reading and researching for my current book project, so I thought I’d tell you about it.

I’ve been commissioned by the Archdiocese of Oklahoma City to write a biography of Servant of God Father Stanley Rother, an Oklahoma missionary whose cause for canonization is in progress.

Oklahoma farm boy Stanley Rother was shot to death on July 28, 1981, while serving the poor of Guatemala, earning him a Martyr's crown.  He was 46.

Rother, who ministered at the mission of Santiago Atitlán from 1968 until his death, fell in love with the volatile and stunning land of volcanoes and earthquakes, but above all, with its indigenous Mayan people. 

Padre Apla’s (Francis in their native Tz’utujil) established the first farmers’ co-op, a school, the first hospital clinic, and the first Catholic radio station, which was used for catechesis.

Above all, he gave his heart to the people, choosing to remain with them in spite of being told that he was on a death list.

Rother was one of 13 priests—and the first American priest — slain during Guatemala’s 36-year-guerrilla war, a tragedy that claimed an estimated 140,000 lives. No one has ever been prosecuted for his killing.

I’ve already written several articles on Stanley Rother. Here’s one, and here’s another.

But writing his biography is at a whole other level. Please pray for me? I am humbled and honored to be able to tell his story.

And would you join us in praying for the Canonization of Father Stanley Rother, Oklahoma Martyr?

Heavenly Father,
source of all holiness,
in every generation you raise up
men and women heroic in love and service. 

You have blessed your Church
with the life of Stanley Rother,
priest, missionary, and martyr. 

Through his prayer, his preaching,
his presence, and his pastoral love,
you revealed Your love and Your presence
with us as Shepherd. 

If it be your will,
may he be proclaimed
by the universal church
as martyr and saint,
living now in your presence
and interceding for us all. 

We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen