Educators in diocese encouraged to nurture faith of their students

KENDALL PARK — “What you have signed up for publicly is not going to be easy, but possible,” Father Timothy A. Christy warned the congregation of Catholic school teachers seated before him in St. Augustine of Canterbury Church Aug. 27. “You are asked to proclaim in word and deed what we love, who we love: Jesus Christ. The way we pass on his way of life is Catholic education.”
Father Christy, diocesan vicar general and moderator of the curia, presided at the annual Mass for diocesan teachers and was the keynote speaker at a brunch. He was assisted by priests who serve at diocesan and parish schools.   
As teachers greeted one another after their summer apart and filled the pews, Ellen F. Ayoub, secretary for education, diocesan Departmemt of Education, explained why the opening liturgy was so impactful, noting, “This is who we are. Our core is our Catholic identity, and this is the best way to start the school year.”
Father Christy prompted laughter during his homily as he described awaiting word from Bishop James F. Checchio, obligated to attend an urgent legal meeting, whether he would need to celebrate the Mass in the bishop’s stead. Father Christy’s pinging phone early that morning, he reported, was not a call from the bishop, but rather a text message from a national coffee chain that summer was over and it was time to buy pumpkin spiced lattes.
“Some lament this day,” the vicar general said, “but hopefully there is a sense of anticipation and expectation to the beginning of school, not business as usual. You have accepted a position, signed a contract, made a public declaration, for our Church and its Bridegroom, Jesus Christ.”
Quoting the Gospel of St. Matthew (23:23-26), Father Christy reminded the teachers they must “clean the outside of the cup and dish,” but do not neglect to clean the inside, that is, our hearts, first.
“Inside is where Jesus attracts our attention. Where are you in relationship with God?” he asked. “It is the only thing that matters. You might be able to fool some of the people some of the time, but can’t fool them all the time, nor should we.”
Father Christy noted that Aug. 27 is the feast day of St. Monica, mother to St. Augustine of Canterbury, the host parish’s patron saint. St. Monica prayed for years for the conversion of her wayward son, and God heard her tears and turned the saint’s heart towards him. Some of the children in their charge were the same, the priest said wryly.
“We have to respect the fact that sometimes people take a long time to say yes, but we don’t give up on them. Monica didn’t give up on her son,” Father Christy said. “As we begin our new school year … we must have authentic love for God. It will shape everything we do.
“We have to love these young people God brings to us: into our classrooms, onto our sports fields, into our drama clubs,” he said. “We have to love them as unruly and unlikeable as some of them are. This doesn’t mean we accept bad behavior, but accept where they are. They are a child of God made in his image and likeness.
“We have Catholic schools because we believe in eternal life,” Father Christy concluded. “We cannot do it by ourselves. Jesus wants you to teach, to guide, to go the extra mile, because he loves you. It is the pathway to our new life.”   
Church bells pealed vigorously on the plaza as teachers filed into St. Augustine School next door for the brunch and keynote. Some shared their excitement at the start of another school year.
Janine DeAngelo-Mustillo, a teacher at Immaculata High School, Somerville, reflected upon the Mass, saying, “This is what we are supposed to be doing. The Church teaches us to pray,” while fellow IHS teacher Jill Kerekes added, “It is important to launch the school year with a Mass. Jesus is the source and summit and reason for our Catholic faith.”
“I love this Mass,” said Colleen Paras, a teacher at St. Augustine School. “We celebrate the good things of Catholic schools, its community and focus on Christ’s heart.”