Catholic educators gather for commissioning, conference

Rain fell and thunder rumbled as educators from the Diocese of Baton Rouge arrived at Most Blessed Sacrament Church in Baton Rouge on Aug. 2. 

Undeterred, they popped open their umbrellas and greeted each other jubilantly, a prelude to the enthusiasm their students will soon express at the start of a new school year.

The 2022 Catholic Educators Gathering, sponsored by the Catholic Schools Office, provided educators the opportunity to pray, hear dynamic speakers and be commissioned. From there they will put their final creative touches to their classrooms, lesson plans and opportunities for their students to grow in faith.

The gathering began with a prayer service led by Father Todd Lloyd, pastor of Most Blessed Sacrament Church, and a welcome from Dr. Pattie Davis, the new Superintendent of Schools.

In the first of two keynote speeches Dr. Stephanie Eberts, an assistant professor of professional practice at Louisiana State University, talked about how educators can help children heal from trauma.

Eberts noted that crisis develops from stress and tension and is “100% within our ability to cope and adapt.”

Coping resources are used daily, for example, in traffic and other daily problems.

However, coping mechanisms can be dangerous when they lead to yelling and screaming, eating too much, etc.

“It can be that you are not managing your emotions in a healthy way for relationships,” said Eberts.

She noted that “everyone’s crisis point is personal.”

The top crisis events for children and teens include natural disasters, divorce and community and global events (most recently COVID-19 and chaotic violence), cancellation of family vacations and anything that threatens their relationship with a parent, guardian or other caregivers. Especially toddlers and even teens cannot express their needs.

If their bodies are in stress response repeatedly it can lead to changes in brain development and their ability to cope.

“One thing we say in the ‘trauma world’ is that people who experience trauma are likely to experience more trauma,” said Eberts.

She noted a 1990s study looked at 10 potentially difficult experiences. Those who experience more than one of these may have mental illness, diseases and other problems.

“This is preventable if we can educate and help people understand how to be connected and prevent some of these,” said Eberts.

In looking at the “trauma basics,” Eberts noted some traumas are continual in a household and many children are living in dangerous situations. And 95% of traumatized adults have traumatized children without intervention.

She noted that post-traumatic disorder PTSD (post traumatic stress disorder) is feeling threatened and a need to run for one’s life. It is manifested in different ways, including anger, the need to always be the center of attention, or regressing.

For teachers the way to help these children is to create an atmosphere of safety within the classroom. Helping the children through encouragement and focusing on the end product can help children develop a sense of healthy self-control and build their self-esteem. 

Empathy, looking for and acknowledging the children’s feeling is important in helping them heal.

“It only takes one caring adult to transform a child’s life,” said Eberts.

Next, Father Tony Ricard, pastor of St. Gabriel Church in New Orleans and campus minister at St. Augustine High School in New Orleans, gave a dynamic presentation on evangelizing “from the heart.”

Opening his talk by strolling down the aisle of the church Father Ricard’s talk blended humor, song and theology. Father Ricard, who has given talks throughout the U.S., Canada and 23 other countries, challenged the educators to help children and others searching for Jesus by showing, above all, the love of Jesus. 

He told the educators their mission is about “the Christ side of things – Jesus and special relationships.”

“Teaching is about all the aspects of God. As long as we know who Jesus is on our hearts – that the wisdom of our vocation,” said Father Ricard.

He referred to the story when Mary and Joseph discovered Jesus was “lost” or not among them when as they were returning from a Passover journey to Jerusalem. They discovered him in the midst of the temple astounding the elders with his questions. When Joseph and Mary approached him, Christ said, “Did you not know I must be in my father’s house?”

Father Ricard stressed teachers today must let children know “you belong here in the church.” 

When we have the spirit of Jesus, other people will understand such church teachings as the real presence of the Eucharist, according to Father Ricard.

“It’s right in the depth of our souls,” he said.

Some people are so caught up in appearances, achievements, etc., that children, especially, cannot see Jesus within, noted Father Ricard.

What children are essentially asking educators above all is “Do you love me?” “Do you recognize me?” “Do I really matter when I come to you?”

The Christ child was the foundation of the world and wore  a crown of thorns as he walked to be crucified at Calvary, noted Father Ricard.

“In Catholic schools regardless of their background you teach truth … the subject you teach about is the truth of God,” he said.

The truth, Father Ricard pointed out, is that “we all will wear a crown of thorns too.”

Bishop Michael G. Duca led the commissioning of the educators. He emphasized that as they teach they are participating in the revelation of the message of Jesus and his love as they have received it.

“We would never get to the scandalously generous, loving, forgiving love of God except for the revelation of Jesus Christ,” said Bishop Duca.

He said that understanding will make them wiser than when they first started teaching and will get them through challenging times.

“Y’all are the strength of our Catholic schools,” said Bishop Duca.