Campus Minister Appreciates the Deeper Meaning in Catholic Education
By Sarah Kuper
Last fall, students at John Carroll Catholic High School faced two tragedies back-to-back. A student and a recent alum died suddenly within days of each other.
Campus minister and theology teacher Kelsey Gaines said it was a difficult time for the campus, but the following days and weeks were a true testament
to faith-based education.
“I saw this school come together in ways that are hard to describe. We were there for each other … . We attended Mass together and simply accompanied one another in our sorrow.”
The last Sunday in January serves as the beginning of National Catholic Schools Week. Each day has a theme of celebrating Catholic education in various aspects of life.
This overarching theme of the 2016 week is “Catholic Schools: Community of Faith, Knowledge and Service.”
Gaines began her experience serving in a Catholic high school just this past fall.
After serving as a missionary for the Fellowship of Catholic University Students, Gaines decided to pursue her mission for high school students at John Carroll.
Working in campus ministry, Gaines said her purpose is to help bring students closer to God. She plans special retreats, helps prepare for weekly Mass and incorporates faith-based activities into classes.
“My job as campus minister is simply to minister to the students and, primarily, their spiritual needs, but of course there are aspects of academic, extracurricular and social as well,” she said.
Though John Carroll has a reputation for rigorous academics and sports, Gaines said those accolades aren’t what make the Catholic school special.
“If we excel at teaching our students academics, are the best in class in our sports and present the highest level of excellence in the arts but do not teach our students how to love God and love one another, we have failed,” she said.
Gaines said a Catholic education stands apart from other private or public models because of the examples of Biblical leaders. Gaines said a Catholic education allows for open spiritual education as well as academic education.
As campus minister, Gaines said, the best part of her job is seeing a student’s honesty and growth.
“That makes this way more than a job. It is very rewarding,” she said.
She admits it is challenging to try to get to know all 600 students on a deeper level. But she said she doesn’t worry about students being overlooked.
“We have an incredible staff that in each of their own capacities will travel to the moon and back to reach and care for each of our students. It is a special place to say the least.”
John Carroll Catholic High School is on Lakeshore Parkway in Homewood. For a full list of Catholic schools in the Over the Mountain area, visit bhmcatholicschools.com.
