CATHOLIC SCHOOLS HAVE POWERFUL IMPACT

By Elizabeth Wells
Special to Catholic Voice

Catholic Schools Week pro vides an opportunity to reflect on the attributes of Catholic education and its powerful impact on lives.

While each experience varies, common thoughts were voiced by the three Catholic school graduates interviewed by The Catholic Voice.

"I don't think a person can ever underestimate the impact of having the freedom to talk about Jesus and how he influences our lives," said Dr. M.J. Kersenbrock, a dentist and member of St. Patrick Parish in O'Neill.

Kersenbrock attended St. Mary School in O'Neill from first through 12th grade, and his four children are following in his footsteps. He graduated from Creighton University's Dental School in 1981.

Being able to talk about God within the context of academic material led to his positive outlook on life, said Kersenbrock. It also has helped him remain positive during wars and national scandals.

"We learned faith in God, faith in Jesus - that he had a plan for our nation ... that God would never give up on us," Kersenbrock said.

Thomas Dowd, a member of St. Vincent de Paul Parish, said he also gained a positive orientation toward life from Catholic education.

"It taught me that there was ultimate meaning in life and there was purpose in life," he said. "And, you were to live a life in accordance with your conscience."

Dowd is a graduate of St. Cecilia Elementary and Cathedral High School. He recently retired from Girls and Boys Town after 32 years of service. He is now a psychologist in private practice.

Importance of faith

Dowd credits the faith nurtured at Catholic schools with helping him survive excruciating loss. I lost a son in an accident when he was 8 and my wife at 53," he said. "You were taught that things are going to happen that are not always fair. Faith allows you to get through or survive painful experiences and still have an ultimate meaning or purpose in your life."

Both Dowd and Kersenbrock said Catholic schools were a place hat reinforced what they were being taught at home. They acknowledged their parents' role as primary teachers. As adults, they can see the benefit of having their values supported at school.

"Families teach you through experiences," said Dowd. "School teaches you the critical thinking necessary to understand it."

Catholic schools also modeled the practice of attending Mass, which Dowd said is necessary to maintain a strong relationship with God.

"Behaviorally they taught you to pray and go to church. Studies have shown that two and a half years of behavioral teaching are necessary before thinking and feeling follow," he said.

In addition to a positive out look, these men said the modeling of teachers, priests and religious sisters led to their developing strong character traits.

"Catholic schools helped me to become disciplined," said Kersenbrock, "and helped me to see what values in life are virtuous and which are not virtuous.

"Hopefully, as I live my life, I will be able to, gravitate toward making more good decisions than poor decisions."