Brother gives his thumbs-up to St. James

Today, the Conventual Franciscan brother acknowledges that his calling as the new principal of St. James Institute in Albany is quite different from the ambitions of his childhood.

The change came when he realized that he "wanted to be a preventive minister rather than a reactive minister," and work -- and perhaps intercede -- with at-risk children before the point of police intervention.

Vocation

"Brotherhood offers me a great flexibility," he explained, especially within the various ministries of the Franciscans. "I'm able to live in community -- live in a way that I can use my gifts and talents -- while remaining challenged."

Brother Lody was originally transferred from Washington, D.C., to the Albany Diocese to become part of a collaborative ministry at St. Casimir's, St. Patrick's and Our Lady of Angels parishes in Albany. After serving a short term as dean of students at the Regional School at St. Casimir, he became the new principal at St. James.

At 27, he holds the distinction of being one of the youngest principals in the state. He is also the first religious brother to be principal at St. James.

Seeking 'the best'

To that end, in the short time he has been principal, he has instituted a number of programs to support students and make sure no one falls behind or fails to receive a helping hand:

* A new resource room provides academic support to any child who needs it, both before classes begin and in the afternoon in order to combat the lack of materials, like books and computers, that many St. James students face at home. Frustrated or confused students will be able to receive homework help from tutors and aides. "No student is going to say that they don't have the resources," asserted Brother Lody. "Homework is so important."

* A guidance counselor -- the only one currently in an elementary school in the Albany Diocese -- has been added to the staff. "The main focus was to get someone on-site that the kids knew, to supplement the services the Catholic Schools Office provides us," he said.

* Tutoring programs partner students from Bishop Maginn High School with both gifted and below-level students at St. James. And Brother Lody, who teaches education at The College of Saint Rose, will continue to bring in college students to do fieldwork.

(St. James' Institute in Albany is a regional Catholic school that attracts a diverse, multi-ethnic and multi-religious student body in grades K-8. Call 465-1973.)

(08-22-02) [[In-content Ad]]