By S.L. Hansen
for the Register
Friday, Oct. 4, is the deadline to register for the annual Bishop’s Saints and Scholars Dinner, honoring diocesan teachers, administrators and support staff.
The event will be held at Lincoln’s Embassy Suites Sunday, Oct. 13. A cocktail reception will begin at 5 p.m., followed by dinner, special recognition for a number of educators, and a keynote presentation by Father Robert Spitzer, S.J.
The tradition of an annual diocesan event to recognize teachers began in 2003.
“Bishop [Fabian W.] Bruskewitz asked Msgr. John Perkinton, Sr. Collette, and me to begin what at that time was called Teachers’ Honor Night,” explained Father Lawrence Stoley, director of diocesan Catholic schools. “It was Bishop Bruskewitz’s desire to recognize the teachers of our diocese for the many sacrifices they make to teach in our parish schools.”
Initially, Teachers’ Honor Night recognized educators for their service to Catholic schools in five-year increments. Two years ago, special themed awards were introduced to highlight not only teachers, but also administrators and support staff who provide invaluable contributions to the success of their schools.
“For example, the St. John Bosco Award that Gery Kenney (Bishop Neumann School, Wahoo) will be awarded is for Support Staff Member of the Year,” said Father Stoley. “Kaye Kreikemeier (North American Martyrs School, Lincoln) will be awarded the St. Catherine of Alexandria Award for service to special education and underserved communities.”
Also to be recognized are Sister Mary Alma, principal of St. James School in Crete, who will receive the St. Thomas Aquinas Award for Administrator of the Year, and Terri Schilmoeller of St. Teresa School in Lincoln, who will receive the St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Award for Elementary Educator of the Year. The St. John Cantius Award for Secondary Educator of the Year will be presented to Linda Kirkendall of Sacred Heart School in Falls City.
During the dinner, short videos about each recipient will share more about how each of these individuals have served Catholic school students and families in remarkable ways. After the event, the videos will be available to view online at wearecatholic.org.
Father Spitzer will speak at the invitation of Bishop James D. Conley. He is well known as the host of the EWTN show “Father Spitzer’s Universe.” He is also the founder and president of the Magis Center of Reason and Faith, a non-profit organization dedicated to developing educational materials on the complementarity of science, philosophy, and faith.
Father Stoley said Bishop Conley asked Father Spitzer about a year ago to be the keynote speaker at the Teacher’s Institute, which is Oct. 14, the day after the Saints and Scholars dinner.
The annual diocesan Teacher’s Institute serves all diocesan teachers and administrators on a day when schools are closed for a national holiday. In addition to Father Spitzer’s address, educators will attend breakout sessions on topics identified by a survey of teachers across the diocese, such as classroom techniques or technology. As Father Spitzer was to be in Lincoln for that event, it made sense for him to speak at the Bishop’s Saints and Scholars Dinner as well.
“Father Spitzer is a well-known author and speaker who has a real gift of explaining how faith and science complement each other,” said Father Stoley. “We live in an age where many think faith is not necessary since we have so many technological advantages. Father Spitzer will help us to explain to the young people we serve that faith and science, and faith and reason work together.”
The dinner and the Teacher’s Institute are merely two of the many ways the Diocesan Education Office seeks to support and reward the hundreds of hard-working educators who have answered the call to serve in Catholic schools. Every day, the office strives to provide what is necessary to help schools build and sustain a Catholic culture.
“If we do our job well,” Father Stoley stated, “teachers are able to do what they love to do – teach. And in the case of a Catholic school, teaching is about leading children to heaven.”
He continued, “I think many would say that having a stable Catholic environment in which to teach is a reward in itself. We work very hard to provide opportunities for our administrators and teachers to grow in their individual faith life. This, too, I believe is rewarding for our teachers.”
He stressed the importance of Catholic schools supporting families.
“We provide structure and support to many broken, and struggling families,” he said. “We have teachers who see their work as a vocation and not a job — in many cases they take a pay cut to teach in our schools. Children benefit because they have someone with them each and every day who can show them how to live the Gospel in 2024.”
Additionally, there is a measurable link between Catholic schools and vocations to the religious life and priesthood. Conversely, the presence of so many priests and religious sisters at diocesan schools has a significant effect on the students.
“Children see how happy one can be following God’s call,” said Father Stoley. “I was at the Pius X High School Hall of Fame induction ceremony earlier this summer, and it was amazing how many spoke of priests and sisters who had had a powerful impact on their lives.”
He concluded, “I would like to echo Bishop Bruskewitz, and now Bishop Conley’s sentiment of gratitude to our teachers who serve as the backbone of evangelization in our diocese.”
Registrations must be completed by Oct. 4 to reserve a seat at the Bishop’s Saints and Scholars Dinner. The registration website is https://lincolndiocese.regfox.com/07-dio-bishops-saints--scholars-dinner.
Sponsorships are also available for individuals or businesses to express their gratitude for Catholic educators in the diocese at lincolndiocese.regfox.com/bishops-saints-and-scholars-dinner or by using the QR code on the next page.
