October 19, 2018

Catholic school educators join together for annual in-service day

REGIONAL
Story and photos by Sharon Roulier

Daniel Baillargeon, superintendent of Catholic schools for the Springfield Diocese, delivers the keynote address at the Oct. 19 teachers’ in-service day held at Pope Francis Preparatory School in Springfield.

SPRINGFIELD – “We share one mission and vision as a diocese.” 

This was the message given to diocesan educators during the annual Educators’ In-Service Day Oct. 19 at Pope Francis Preparatory School, here.

Catholic educators from throughout the Springfield Diocese listen to a presentation at the annual in-service day Oct. 19.

“Working Together to Advance Our Mission,” was the topic of the keynote address offered by Daniel R. Baillargeon, superintendent of schools for the Diocese of Springfield, as he spoke to more than 300 faculty members and administrators from Catholic schools from throughout western Massachusetts.

“It’s important for us to gather together, just so we can make those connections,” said Baillargeon, in an interview with Catholic Communications.

The annual event is an opportunity for diocesan school personnel to network, socialize and share best practices while being rejuvenated. The day began with Mass celebrated by Springfield Bishop Mitchell T. Rozanski in the school’s theater.

Baillargeon told the educators that what defines a Catholic school teacher is the characteristics of being “true, good and beautiful.”

“What I wanted to do today is to help them understand these pieces that make us unique. That we believe that God exists, he is there,” said Baillargeon. “Therefore all of our activities, all of the things we do in a school, should be directed back to him.”

He urged the group to “stop and appreciate beauty” while realizing that is the “creator who makes all things beautiful.”

He gave the group some helpful tips on what they could take back to their schools to help them to increase their faith and to be more mindful of their Catholic identity.

“I think that’s the most important part of Catholic schools is that we know our students, and that we are able to embrace God in everything that we do and everything that we teach them,” said Kathleen Dziok, computer teacher at St. Stanislaus School in Chicopee. “So we not only teach to the subjects but we teach to the whole child. And we really take the time to know who they are and what their lives are about and try to help them to prosper in their futures.”

Catholic school teachers enjoy a lunch break at the annual in-service day.

Jennifer Masten, principal of St. Mary School in Lee, said that the most meaningful part about the in-service day was that the entire Catholic school community in the diocese gathered to hear the same message given by people who share in one mission. She said she was inspired to go back to her school with what she learned.

 “We’re all so spread out all over the place. We’re in the Berkshires. A lot of the schools are here in Springfield. So with everybody kind of all over the place it’s nice to come together, hear the same message and just be reminded that we’re in this together,” she said. “We’re not alone and we should be supporting each other and living the same mission and same message every day.

A video version of this story will be featured on an upcoming edition of “Real to Reel,” which airs Saturday evenings at 7 on WWLP-22NEWS.