Teachers grateful, fired up for the start of a new Catholic school year

TIMONIUM – For many attending the Archdiocese of Baltimore Convocation of Catholic Schools at Church of the Nativity in Timonium Aug. 22, it had been a long day by noon. Some had left their home schools at 6:15 a.m. to attend the event, which included a Mass led by Auxiliary Bishop Adam J. Parker and an awards ceremony recognizing the teachers of the year.

During his closing remarks, Auxiliary Bishop Bruce A. Lewandowski, C.Ss.R., called educators attending the Archdiocese of Baltimore convocation at the Church of the Nativity in Timonium Aug. 22, 2024, the “spark” that sets their students on a path for a success. (Kevin J. Parks/CR Staff)

It took just a little spark, however, from Mass concelebrant Auxliary Bishop Bruce A. Lewandowski to get everyone on their feet and feeling rejuvenated.

Chanting in Spanish “Chispa, chispa, fuego, wow,” which translates in English to “Spark, spark, fire, wow,” the crowd of more than 1,000 educators from across the Archdiocese of Baltimore stood and swayed their arms overhead.

“See that spark of God?” Lewandowski said. “It sets our young people on fire. So thank you. We are grateful for all of those who work in our Catholic schools in the archdiocese.”’

This was the 14th year teachers and staff members from the archdiocese’s elementary and secondary schools gathered before the start of the school year, which this year begins Aug. 26. Whether they wore matching T-shirts or traveled together via coach buses, school buses or by car, most arrived with smiles and a sense of excitement.

“This is our favorite day to be together as Catholic educators,” said Michelle Webb, a middle school teacher at St. John the Evangelist in Severna Park. “It starts our year off.”

“I always love getting together and realizing you are part of a bigger community,” said Peggy Frazier, a music teacher at St. John Regional Catholic School in Frederick. “This is great.”

Gregory A. Farno, chancellor of education for the archdiocese’s Catholic school system, admitted in his opening remarks that it was his first convocation and he “wasn’t sure what to expect.”

Auxiliary Bishop Adam J. Parker and fellow clergy celebrate Mass for teachers, staff and administrators from across the Archdiocese of Baltimore Aug. 22, 2024 for the convocation. (Kevin J. Parks/CR Staff)

“This is impressive,” he said. “The energy in this room is contagious.”

Via video, Archbishop William E. Lori, who is traveling in Asia with the Knights of Columbus, expressed his regret for not being able to attend in person for the first time since he became archbishop.

“I look forward to it for many reasons,” said Archbishop Lori, noting that teachers “help young people in their journey of life to become the person God intended them to be.”

In his homily, Bishop Parker noted that Aug. 22 was the feast of the Queenship of Mary and listed four ways to honor her: Be attentive to the word and know Jesus is God’s word made flesh; be constantly faithful in his service and do not get distracted from this; remain steadfast in God when challenges come along; and experience joy in the resurrection.

“Your vocation is specifically geared to shaping the minds of our young people, shaping their souls,” he said.

Dr. Donna Hargens, superintendent of schools, recognized Olivia Rockwell, a rising eighth grader at St. John the Evangelist School in Hydes, for creating the winning logo for the upcoming school’s year theme, “Give Thanks with a Grateful Heart.”

Mount Carmel English teacher Mike Reeb, center, reconnects with one his former students from Institute of Notre Dame, Bridget Bindel Foley, now a teacher at St. Ursula, Aug. 22, 2024 at the Church of the Nativity in Timonium. (Kevin J. Parks/CR Staff)

“We had dozens of entries, and it was a difficult decision,” Hargens said. Olivia’s logo, designed with Sharpies and colored pencils, stood out, she said.

Teachers celebrating various anniversaries, including several commemorating 45 years teaching, were recognized in a video. Teachers honored by their schools as teacher of the year were asked to stand and be recognized.

From those teachers nominated as teacher of the year, the Archdiocesan Teachers of the Year were selected.

Kimberly Burton, a science teacher at Archbishop Curley High School, was named Archdiocesan High School Teacher of the Year.

Philip Bressler, an economics teacher at Calvert Hall College High School, was named Independent Catholic High Teacher of the Year.

Emma Ward, a first-grade teacher at St. Joseph School, was named Archdiocesan Elementary Teacher of the Year.

Oblate Sisters of St. Francis de Sales Anne Elizabeth Eder, from left, Joseph Margaret Kimura, Joseph Anne Ricciardi, Sister Audrey Frances Moran and Immaculate Heart of Mary School, Towson, principal Sue Surine, gaze upon the 2024 Doris Musil Award presented posthumously by the Archdiocese of Baltimore to Oblate Sister Susan Louise Eder. (Kevin J. Parks/CR Staff)

Oblate Sister of St. Francis de Sales Susan Louise Eder was awarded posthumously the day’s highest honor, the Doris Musil Award. Sister Susan was the principal at Immaculate Heart of Mary School in Towson when she died last October after a long battle with cancer. Oblate Sisters of St. Francis de Sales Anne Elizabeth Eder and Frances Carol Eder, who were also Sister Susan’s biological sisters, accepted the award.

“It is such an honor to see sister remembered this way. A year later that someone, and somebody, many people, think so much of her and the gift that she was to the Archdiocese of Baltimore to have her recognized in this manner,” Sister Anne Elizabeth said afterward. “It is such a wonderful gift for each one of us in my family, my religious family, and for the school of Immaculate Heart of Mary.”

Though she and 28 co-workers had to leave Cumberland at 6:15 a.m. to attend, Roberta Stallings, a music teacher at Bishop Walsh School, was looking forward to her first convocation.

“We wanted to be able to join with the other schools and intermingle with them,” Stallings said. “I’m excited to be here.”

Email Katie Jones at kjones@CatholicReview.org

To view more photos from the convocation, click through the slideshow below: