For four decades of lessons.
This past Saturday, post-consult with God, I gave notice at church that this shall be my last school year teaching Catechism. I felt it was time to pass the torch. My decision, although not an easy one, was guilt-free. A sure sign that it was the right one.
I could have not stuck it out all these years without the understanding of my home team. Ray, Lauren, and Danny, I am most grateful to you, not only for being so accepting of my commitment, but for volunteering your time as well. It’s been a family labor of love for sure.
I am also grateful to our CCD Director, Leyla Mazpule, and to our parish pastor, Father Lopez, for allowing me to share my faith with the kids, and for their continued support during my years of service at Sts. Peter & Paul Catholic Church.
The weekly classes did not come without challenges, of course. They did, also, come with many blessings. Throughout the years, I taught many kids whose kids, in turn, became my students. Living through that circle of life was one of those blessings. As was seeing many of them return to CCD to volunteer their time, making it possible for us to share and grow in our faith journey together. And those I’ve encountered years later and told me that something I said in class made a difference in their lives (somehow)? Well, that’s been icing on the cake.
But, among the many blessings, more importantly are the lessons they’ve taught ME. Lessons that raise my teaching bar week after week. Like the fact that judging a book by its cover is a total waste of time, as my first-day-of-class preconceptions of them typically were torn to pieces by class number two. That patience is a virtue and it should come in the form of injection. And that what I know is not as important to them as how much I care.
I will miss it. I will miss them.
As my “catechist” calling draws to an end, I look forward to wherever God’s path of service leads me next.
Meanwhile, for this most gracious opportunity, invaluable experience, and four decades worth of lessons from my students, today and always, Lord, I am thankful.
What are you thankful for today?
Until next Thursday’s post…si Dios quiere.
“Let all that you do be done in Love.”
-1 Corinthians 16:14
“The reality is that the Lord never calls the qualified; He qualifies the called.”
-H.T. Blackaby
“We email, Facebook, tweet and text with people who are going to spend eternity in either heaven or hell. Our lives are too short to waste on mere temporal conversations when massive eternal realities hang in the balance. Just as you and I have no guarantee that we will live through the day, the people around us are not guaranteed tomorrow either. So let’s be intentional about sewing the threads of the gospel into the fabric of our conversations every day, knowing that it will not always be easy, yet believing that eternity will always be worth it.”
-D. Platt
“Miss no single opportunity of making some small sacrifice, here by a smiling look, there by a kindly word; always doing the smallest right and doing it all for love.”
-Therese de Lisieux
It’s been quite a ride and an honor.
Your students were so lucky and blessed to have had you as a teacher. I cannot think of anyone better. Good Luck on your new journey Connie!
Thank you, my friend, I appreciate your words.
St Peter is losing a great teacher and a great example of what being Catholic is all about. May God continue to bless you and your family my friend
Too kind of you. Big hug to you, my friend.
Lauren, Danny and I are very proud of you, God bless you and we love you.
Thanks, babe. I seriously could not have done this without you guys. I love you!
So proud of you, Mama!! Always leading by example.
Thank you. So proud of you for volunteering all those years, too. Love you.
Good morning Connie,
You have my utmost respect for all those years of dedication in doing something that undoubtedly has changed may people’s lives in a positive way. Children are my soft spot, so anyone who does anything to make a difference in their lives has my respect. Thank you for being who and how you are.
Another chapter in your life begins now, so enjoy that journey as well
J.G.
Thank you, Julie, I appreciate your words.
Beautiful, my dear friend Connie.
Onward Christian soldier. The words, “Well done, good and faithful servant” always make me kinda cringe. LOL. Odd you say? I say that because I think, “Will I hear those words…maybe?” So that’s what makes us press onward.
I wanted to share with you that I finally stopped working in law firms after leaving Fowler White Burnett (firm after W&C). The Lord tapped me on my shoulder. I was totaling not expecting it, nor did I feel prepared (felt like Abraham. LOL). I am now the Administrative Director for the after school program at our church, (so I am their Candace Grout! LOL). I’ve been there going on a little over two years now, and even though I was so scared thinking I couldn’t cut payroll or address Candace-type issues with staff, I don’t feel that way anymore. The Lord has blessed me with many children (even though I could not have little ones of my own). I get unexpected high-fives and random constant hugs from the little ones while sitting in the church office. They run in, hug and love, then run off! It is the Lord saying “Hi” to me. So blessed. So incredibly blessed. But you know that after 41 years of giving of yourself! Wow. I am new to this, but I feel soooo very blessed already.
Onward Christian Soldier. You are one of my heros.
In Him,
Terri
And don’t you love the Lord’s mysterious ways? I am so very happy He’s blessed you in this way. We’re all a pencil in His hands, you know. Onward to you as well, my friend. Thank you for your kind words.
Just beautiful. Brought tears to my eyes. I wish I had your courage, strength and devotion…. You are wonderful. I hope someday to meet Danny and Lauren. If they are anything like you then I can assure you a “JOB WELL DONE”… Thank you each Thursday for your RX for the Soul.. It truly is the medicine I need for my soul.
Thank you, my friend, I appreciate it.