May 10--Ending the Week

I can finally take the time to sit down with my dear friend here.  Saturday has been chewed up by errands and tasks. The bicycle is fixed and the sound at the front of the car has been identified and eliminated.  The carpet is shampooed and unintended canine accidents are washed away.  The printer has ink again and the laundry is at least in progress.  The dogs have walked and the kitty litter is fresh.  There is plenty of school work to do but it may not get started today.

On Thursday, I was part of the "surprise visit" to announce one of the ten new Golden Apple recipients.  I went to the ceremony for Melissa Talaber Mathwyshyn of St. Nicholas Cathedral School, a Ukrainian Catholic School in Ukrainian Village on the near west side of Chicago.

Melissa is in the striped blouse, just to the left of the poster.

A large group of media, politicians, family, Golden Apple officials, and school community members walked into her classroom around 9:00 AM on Thursday. ABC News reporter Theresa Gutierrez announced to the class that their teacher had been selected as a winner of the Golden Apple Award.  The class applauded.  Melissa, who we had been told is very shy, stood quietly--a little shocked, I think. From what I could see and from all the reports I have heard, Melissa is an extraordinary teacher.  The school is small and does not have many resources but she and her colleagues are doing great work bring faith-based education to the young people.

The week also brought sadder news.  Maureen Doolitte, a retired counselor from Fenwick, died in her sleep over the weekend.  Maureen had been a religious sister for many years and then left the order and was married.  At Fenwick, she taught theology and was a class counselor.  She and I had some extra bond because she had, at one time, taught in Cleveland.  We knew several people in common.  I want to use this space to record what has become a favorite story at Fenwick.  It is one that involves Maureen.

Some years ago, there was a Dean of Students who overly enjoyed giving the announcements on the P.A. and spoke, how shall I put it, effusively--sometimes about mundane matters.  This man had a slight Eastern accent; I think he was originally from Philadelphia. 

He once announced the formation of a new student club.  He closed the description of the organization by saying, or at least we thought he said, "And the best part of this club is that there are no Jews! No Jews at all!"  All of the students in the school, and the faculty as well, hearing this anti-Semitism being publicly proclaimed across the public address system, sat in stunned silence.  I moderated a very well-mannered homeroom at that time.  They did not laugh but they did show obvious discomfort.  One student said, "I think he meant 'dues.' He talks a little funny."

We agreed that the Dean (who was, I should probably add, a priest) had unquestionably meant "dues" and we said nothing more about it.  

Apparently someone said something to the Dean though. Two days later, he came on the public address again in a state of high agitation.

"I am told that there are those in this school who believe that I made a negative comment about Jewish people on Monday.  Anyone who knows me knows that this is not even possible.  Some have told me that when I said there were "no dues" for a club, I was understood to say "no Jews."  First, I would like to say that this type of problem of diction is most unlikely as I was frequently a champion in oratorical contests. Secondly, I am known for my sensitivity. Any slur would be unthinkable.  Let me no make it absolutely clear.  What I said was, 'dues! dues! dues! dues! dues!'"

Only no one heard him to say that this time either.  What we all heard through the P.A. was, "What I said was, 'Jews! Jews! Jews! Jews! Jews!'" 

The Dean turned off the microphone and walked out of the small public address closet and into the Student Services Office. He was content that he had put the matter to rest.

Maureen Doolittle was standing in his path. He paused for a minute but, before he could speak, Maureen said, "It sounded like Jews to me."

The Dean turned purple and stomped away.

Maureen was an extraordinary educator (she taught for 49 years) and a woman of great love and compassion.  In recent years, we have had chance meetings at Starbucks. I was always delighted to see her.  She will be missed.

And also a bit of sad news about Golden Apple Fellow Curt Ehrenstrom, who has battled pancreatic cancer for this past year.  Curt is a faculty member at Mt. Carmel High School--"Coach E" they all call him.  Curt is not doing well. He is too weak to speak and has been put into hospice.  Like so many others who have been touched by Coach E, I am very sad to hear of how poorly he is doing.  Curt's illness has been a great loss to his students and to the educational community.

And finally, a beautiful thing and a moment of great pride for me.  LynnMarie Rink was one of my students at Lake Catholic High School.  She is now a four-time Grammy Award nominee and a successful theater and recording artist.  Lynn's son James has special needs.  She has written and recorded a beautiful song about James and all special needs children. It is called "He Will Never Be."  The song is an affirmation of love, hope, family, and the absolute goodness of every child.  If you enjoy it, I hope you will share it with friends.