As a new school year begins, Fr. Dan Belanger, CSV and Associates Mary Ellen Dorough, Kim Martinez, and Deborah Perez offered a day of retreat to help St. Viator Parish School’s teachers and staff prepare.
Pre-Associate Jen Jones, Fr. Dan Belanger, CSV, Associate Janet Manfredi, Associate Kim Martinez, Associate Deborah Perez, Associate Paul Mertzman, and Associate Mary Ellen Dorough
Fr. Dan is the parochial vicar for the parish, and he loves the chance to be involved in this Catholic school – where Associate Paul Mertzman serves as Vice Principal, Associate Janet Manfredi teaches 1st grade, and Pre-Associate Jennifer Jones teaches kindergarten. Since the retreat day lined up with the Feast of the Transfiguration, Fr. Dan leaned into the Gospel. He started the day by celebrating the daily Mass and used it to set the theme: “Road Trip with Jesus: Being Transfigured.”
As the faculty listened and turned to one another for discussions, Fr. Dan made sure these elementary and middle school educators – perhaps much like their students – had a little help sitting still and paying attention. “I gave them all a little car, so when they were fidgety, they had something to play with,” Fr. Dan said.
For the short talks, Fr. Dan invited in a few associates who know what it’s like to start a new school year. Mary Ellen just retired in May from 45 years in Catholic education, including the last 27 years as a 5th grade teacher at St. Viator; Kim has been a teacher at Bishop Gorman High School for 30 years; Deborah is a former kindergarten teacher at St. Viator and former Corporate Work Study Program director at Cristo Rey St. Viator.
Their talks reflected on the persistence needed to minister through a full school year. They also encouraged the faculty to turn to the breadth of gifts and talents in both the student body and the faculty and staff. “We have rich diversity in the classroom and among our fellow teachers. Everyone has a gift, and sometimes we need to really listen to that and notice those many colors,” Mary Ellen said.
A look at some of the paintings!
The retreat utilized music to reinforce the themes, including some from kids’ favorite movies. “I was hoping the teachers could take a few minutes in the busyness of getting ready for a new school year to reflect on their own interpretation of any of the lyrics that spoke to them,” Mary Ellen said, noting “Colors of the Wind” from Pocahontas in parts of her talk.
To carry forward these themes of diversity and persistence, the retreat culminated in a watercolor painting activity. The teachers had a nice window of time to simply sit and paint to create a small keepsake of the day. “They brought them home, and I asked them to put them on their refrigerators as a yearlong reminder of this idea,” Fr. Dan said. “I’m getting more involved in the school and striving to bring Viatorian spirituality into all we can. It’s always been there and alive, and I hope I can reaffirm it and help our students experience it through Viatorian religious as well.”
Mary Ellen was glad to be back and be with the faculty before their new year. “It was so humbling to be so warmly welcomed back to my school,” Mary Ellen said. “Everyone was so loving and kind. It was a joy to be there. I will always be grateful for my time at St. Viator School.”