I would like to suggest some models for our teachers and students in addition to the ones listed in the Aug. 4 edition of the Catholic News Herald.
For teachers, I urge you to emulate St. John Baptist de La Salle. LaSalle was born in 1651 in France to a wealthy family. He was moved by seeing many of the poor children of his time wandering the streets and unable to get an education because they had no money. Most of the teachers at that time were very poorly educated and also unprofessional.
LaSalle founded the first teacher training program in France initially by taking his teachers into his own home, helping them learn to speak properly, be gentlemen, and practice effective methods of teaching youngsters. LaSalle believed teaching was a noble and honorable profession, and a teacher could have a great influence on young people by teaching them how to lead a good and virtuous life. Simultaneously, he founded schools for the poor and recruited young men to teach in these schools.
As a teacher today, you probably will never see all the good that you bring to your students’ lives. But be confident that many of your students will be better people and lead holier lives because of your hard work and influence on them.
For students, I suggest the life of St. Maria Goretti. Maria was born in Italy into a poor family. Maria’s father died when she was 9 years old. Because they were poor, her family had to move and share a house with another family. This other family, the Serenellis, had a 20-year-old son, Allesandro, who kept making sexual advances toward Maria which she continually refused. One day, when Maria was 12 years old, Allesandro attacked Maria and killed her. Maria had told him, “No, it is a sin,” and yet forgave him before she died.
Maria is the patron saint of young women and all youth.
As a young person today you are greatly influenced by your friends and ever-present social media. You can be a light to your friends by following your beliefs without verbally preaching to them. Your good example will be more important than anything you can say to them.
John Dieringer is a member of St. Eugene Parish in Asheville.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading Deacon Bill Melton‘s “Sowing the seeds of ‘nonsense’ ” commentary in the Catholic News Herald’s July 21 edition. Great humor with a even greater finish.
Denny Schell is a member of St. Joseph the Worker Parish in Newton.