Denver Catholic

12 JANUARY 27-FEBRUARY 9, 2018 | DENVER CATHOLIC Around the Archdiocese BY ROXANNE KING P ay for teachers in Catholic schools is traditionally less than that of their colleagues in public schools so parochial school educators aren't there for the money. Rather, they'll tell you they feel called to and love this min- istry—it's their vocation. The Denver Archdiocese's vision doc- ument, "Worthy of the Name," describes the vocation to teach in a Catholic school as "a calling that God gives to those whom he wants to play a vital role in helping parents, who are the first teach- ers of their children, form their children so that they may become saints."° Acknowledging the academic excel- lence Catholic schools are known for, "Worthy of the Name" urges educators to communicate real Christian wisdom and virtue in teaching by helping stu- dents understand a subject's proper place in their lives and how it points to the universal truths of creation, thereby fostering a love for learning and draw- ing them into closer union with God, "the source and end of all virtue and knowledge." Below, three longtime Catholic school educators share how what they do is a vocation, not just a job. FOSTERING DISCIPLESHIP Twenty-five year teacher David Good has taught theology—primarily Scripture and Catholic morality—at Holy Family High School in Broomfield for 24 years. Prior to arriving to Holy Family, he taught one year at an Amer- ican Catholic school in Rome. "I've always felt this is where God wants me to be," Good said. "It's a call- ing I have. I love to share my passion for Scripture with the next generation." Seeing how God's word resonates with his students' hearts and minds above the catechesis of the world gives him great satisfaction, Good said. "Catholic school teachers are united and connected to the kids as disciples," he said. "In this environment you're free to talk about your discipleship. You can boldly talk about your whole person, not just your area of expertise. That's true whether you teach math, science or religion. That's an import- ant part of connecting with kids. You're allowed to freely express yourself and your religion." For 23 years, Good has also served as head coach for the school's cross-coun- try team, building the program up to a perennial state championship con- tender. There, he nurtured his athletes' spiritual lives as well. "I've always thought that's an extra vehicle to reach kids and help them grow into the person that God is calling them to be," he said. Over the years, Good has also partic- ipated in retreats, pilgrimages, service projects and mission trips for students to nurture and deepen their relation- ship with Christ. "I have the best job in the world," Good said. "It's really a privilege to do this. I can't think of doing anything else." DOING GOD'S WORK Forty-year educator Kathy Byrnes has spent 30 years in two schools of the Denver Archdiocese—the last five as principal at St. Louis School in Louis- ville and the previous 25 at Sts. Peter and Paul in Wheat Ridge. She has also taught in North Carolina and New York. "Teaching in a Catholic school really is a calling," Byrnes said. "We could make more money in public schools, but that's not where my heart is. "The value of being in a Catholic school has always been right at the core of my being. I've always believed in its impor- tance and I wanted to be a part of that." The ability to share the teachings of the Catholic Church, the sacraments and the liturgy with students is a bless- ing, Byrnes said. "Especially in today's world, things can look hopeless to students and they can feel like there's no solution," she said. "With God, there's hope in every situation. Christ is the light that carries us through the dark times." Partnering with parents to help each child reach their full potential, spiritually, emotionally, academically and socially is a huge responsibility, she said. "We have to be worthy of the name 'Catholic school,'" Byrnes said. "We have to walk the talk. Our mission is being brothers and sisters and being there for each other and living our faith every day. … It's true that children learn what they live and live what they learn." Setting high academic standards, instilling personal virtue, and foster- ing stewardship and service prepares students for assuming their role as future leaders—and finding their own call, Byrnes said. "I feel that I've been called to do God's work," she said, "and it's such a gift that that is what I keep on doing." FORMING AMBASSADORS FOR CHRIST Kindergarten teacher Alexis Grose has taught 56 years in Catholic schools in several states and the Holy Land, the last 31 years in the Denver Archdiocese. After 20 years at Our Lady of Lourdes School, in 2007 she moved to All Souls, where she continues today. "I do what I love and I love what I do here at All Souls," Grose said. "I love the Lord very, very much and I want to instill that in the little ones." The vocation of being a Catholic school teacher, she said, "is something you hold deep in your heart." "I'm excited every day to get to school," Grose said. "I get there early to prepare, Teaching as a vocation means joy in work Freedom to foster faith, serve the whole person, makes Catholic education meaningful ministry

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