CATHOLIC SCHOOL COMMUNITY UNITES, PROVIDES SUPPORT AMID TRAGEDIES
Although people cannot cocoon themselves against tragedy and grief — it is part of life — learning how to cope in difficult situations is a crucial life skill.
“Suffering will come and go,” said Jenny Haller, principal at St. Michael Catholic School in St. Michael. “The low times are often when the true colors of a community shine. Our Catholic schools offer formation in all aspects of life, not just academics. We understand the connectedness of the body, the mind and the spirit.”
In the past four years, tragedy has struck the 465-student prekindergarten through eighth grade school with the deaths of two fathers, two mothers and two siblings. Nonetheless, these families were comforted as the school community united, helping absorb their grief.
“There’s a sense of community in Catholic schools,” said Father Peter Richards, pastor of St. Michael Catholic Church. “When one person suffers, we all suffer. When one rejoices, we all rejoice.”
Banding together
The most recent catastrophe hit St. Michael in January. Second grade student Solomon Becker lost his 19-year-old sister, Bethany, in a skiing accident.
The school responded with compassion. Haller sent emails to families asking parents to relay the news to their children. When school reconvened, teachers reviewed ways to be good friends to someone grieving. Students in each homeroom created heartfelt cards for Solomon. Staff gave him a book about loss. Chapel visits comforted. Four couples from the parish whose children also passed consoled the Beckers.
And the school children prayed. Small heads bowed, invoking God for Solomon’s family and all the other losses.
“The biggest benefit of being in a Catholic school during a tragedy is there’s already a built-in system honoring those who have been lost — our prayer life,” said Kathleen Massmann, St. Michael’s counselor.
“There’s a sense of community in Catholic schools,” said Father Peter Richards, pastor of St. Michael Catholic Church. “When one person suffers, we all suffer. When one rejoices, we all rejoice.”
Solomon’s teacher, Lynn Johnson, believes that giving students the opportunity to talk about loss openly in God’s presence was truly a gift that guided them through the tragedies.
“I’ve been touched by the way the school handled it,” said Solomon’s mother, Roberta Becker. “What they learn in school flows into life.”
“Intercessory prayer is modeled in the school. It’s what Christ did with his disciples,” said Solomon’s father, Steve Becker. “Prayer is holding us up.”
Each spring, St. Michael’s grief group that Massmann leads raises butterflies. Last year, they released nine into the “Mary Garden.” By summer, hundreds fluttered on the flowers.
“At Catholic schools, we can talk about eternal life,” Massmann said, “that their loved ones will be with them from up in heaven.”