Posted on 06/19/2012 6:45:11 AM PDT by marshmallow
Traditional sisters and trendy students may not seem like a compatible combination, but at Marin Catholic High School in Kentfield, they’re proving to be a propitious pairing.
Since arriving on campus in August 2011, Dominican Sisters of Mary, Mother of the Eucharist, Thomas Aquinas Betlewski, Miriam Holzman and Maria Jose Acosta have shattered stereotypes, debunked misconceptions and formed a unique union with the sophomores and juniors in the theology, science and math classes they teach.
The last woman religious, Sister Mary Ferguson, a Franciscan art instructor, had departed in 2004, so students at first weren’t quite sure what to make of the newcomers.
When Tim Navone, Marin Catholic’s first lay president, announced the sisters would be joining the faculty to reinforce the school’s Catholic identity, Allison Galuszka envisioned strict disciplinarians “whacking knuckles with a ruler.”
Henry Harmon, a non-Catholic, pictured them as “old, ugly and mean, like portrayed in the movies, which is the only place I had ever seen a nun.”
Even Torey Tarantino, an alumnus of St. Anselm School in San Anselmo, got it wrong: “I had a teacher who was a sister, but she did not wear a habit, so I thought for sure they would dress normally.”
Imagine the students’ surprise when they beheld three young, attractive, smiling figures garbed in floor-length, crisp, white habits and black veils, giant rosaries hanging from the waist – a style dating back 800 years.
Eye- and mind-opening revelations followed.
The sisters were as classic in their attitude about behavior and belief as in their attire. Yet, they were as youthful in approach – incorporating the latest technology into lesson plans – as they were in age, the average for the 116 members of their order, established in 1997, being 28 years.
They had neither boyfriends nor bank.....
(Excerpt) Read more at catholic-sf.org ...
Its my view that children crave discipline and firm moral instruction. Even more so teens, who are experiencing the chaos of the world, and want to know there are alternatives.
When provided by kind people, it is simply unbeatable.
Yes, and the stereotype of nuns whacking knuckles is from back in the day when that sort of thing happened and was acceptable in most schools. I certainly got my knuckles whacked and I wasn’t in a Catholic school or taught by nuns and I wasn’t a bad kid.
My husband, who was a rowdy kid, got a whole lot more than knuckle whacking. Some of his teachers and principals would have gone to jail if judged according to current standards.
I had an occasional wack from Catholic nuns whilst in elementary school.
However, when my parents moved, and I found myself in a public school (a pretty good public school) after the move, I also found that I was close to a grade and a half ahead of them.
So, let them wack all they want. Heck, even a military academy wasn’t as tough for me.
I had several nuns in grade-school. This was the 1970’s, and nuns were still running schools, as well as teaching some classes.
I NEVER met, or heard of, a nun who “rapped knuckles.” It is a completely false stereotype.
Most literally viewed us as their own children. If anything, they were too soft, pliant, and sometimes, even too forgiving. I remember one Sister who literally broke down in tears when she overheard “one of her boys” use the “F” word on the playground.
It's not a false stereotype...I can certainly attest to that. I attended St. Anthony of Padua School in Camden NJ in the mid 60's and had my haand whacked a couple of times. Once for doing poorly on a test and shrugging my shoulders when Sister asked why I didn't do better and once for missing Mass without a good excuse. My folks kept me home because I was sick...but that wasn't a good excuse. I also had to kneel for an hour in prayer on the linoleum floor in Sister Benedicta's ofice. And I wouldn't change a thing about those years and would love to be able to relive them. Those Sisters were tremendous people and a great influence on my life.
The nuns I had weren’t “soft!” Yes, I got my knuckles rapped, and even tougher discipline, but that was the style back then (60s-early 70s), and not just in Catholic schools. I think when they ditched their traditional dress and went “modern” that they lost their identity, both in their communities and in their convents. I’m glad to see young people dedicating their lives to Christian service, whether it’s as a Catholic nun, or a Catholic priest, or as a Protestant minister or missionary. God bless ‘em all!
The nuns I had in the 1990's rapped knuckles....the school is no longer open.
This was my experience as well, after twelve years in Catholic schools...the nuns I knew, almost without exception, were compassionate, humble and would do anything for we children...and got almost nothing in return but satisfaction...these women were truly holy and children of God!
I have nothing but respect and love for The Sisters of Charity of Seton Hill who taught me. And like everyone else I know who experienced the jump from Catholic to public school, I found myself far ahead of the other students in my grade.
The nun with the 12” ruler must get close to you if she is to inflict pain. Be aware of your surroundings and know that you are safe if you keep your distance.
The nun with the yardstick can reach you from afar, but the unwieldy weapon is easy to dodge. You are safe if you keep your reflexes sharp.
The nun with the 18” ruler is the martial master. Almost as quick as the 12” ruler, but with more reach. It is the weapon of someone truly dedicated to the art of knuckle rapping. There is little you can do to defend yourself from such a nun, save behaving.
This country’s youth would be better off with teachers who share the values and knowledge of natural law rather than hanging with those who value amoral darkness and corruption.
A nun in a habit commands respect.
Getting rid of the habits destroyed most of the Orders.
The Sisters of Charity of Nazareth Kentucky taught me through the 6th grade.
I think most of them are gone now except for some foreign missions and their college has become a nursing home.
Ha Ha! That was a funny post, Sergio. Thanks for the chuckle.
Regards,
Ping!
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