The fruits of the saints and scholars campaign
As students across the Diocese of Lansing return to school this fall, the fruits of the Stewardship for Saints and Scholars campaign are evident. Thanks to the generosity of the faithful across the diocese, the goal of making Catholic schools more on mission, affordable, accessible, all while supporting local initiatives, is becoming a reality for students, teachers, and families.
As students across the Diocese of Lansing return to school this fall, the fruits of the Stewardship for Saints and Scholars campaign are evident. Thanks to the generosity of the faithful across the diocese, the goal of making Catholic schools more on mission, affordable, accessible, all while supporting local initiatives, is becoming a reality for students, teachers, and families.
Emily Lobb, pictured, is embarking on her second year teaching fifth and sixth grades at St. Paul School in Owosso and is grateful for the ways that God has blessed her and her students through the Stewardship for Saints and Scholars campaign. With financial support that made Emily’s transition from teaching in public school to Catholic school possible, and the help of professional development opportunities for those new to teaching in diocesan schools, she says the campaign is bearing fruit. “The campaign financially allowed me to move from the public school classroom. And the retreats for our New Teacher Institute of the Our Lady of Champion cohort have been renewing, inspiring and encouraging while still being practical.”
Prior to joining the staff at St. Paul School, Emily taught in public schools for 19 years. “ I was stressed and overwhelmed,” she describes. It was then that God’s providence led Emily’s family to St. Paul through her daughter’s experience playing volleyball. “God ordained my dream job just when I needed it the most, and teaching in this Catholic school environment has reaffirmed God’s calling on my life to teach.”
Being new to working in a Catholic school, Emily says she is particularly grateful for the chance to share her faith with her students and also for the unexpected grace of growth in her own faith. “Getting to share my faith openly with my students, having supporting families and administrators that hold everyone accountable, and most importantly, keeping the ‘main thing’ the ‘main thing” have been transformative. “Here,” Emily says, “God is our focus and Heaven is our goal.”
As Emily settles back into her classroom, she is grateful to be in an environment in which the focus is on the Lord. Her prayer is one of gratitude and thanksgiving. “This school year, I hope to grow more in love with God and this school family he has placed me in. I cannot wait to see all God plans to do in and through not only me, but my students, their families and our entire St. Paul family.”
