Finding my favorite teacher

By GERARD F. HAVASY- | Comments: 0 | Leave a comment

PART I

I have had the privilege of being surrounded by unique people who have encouraged me to do better throughout my life: teachers, Scout leaders, women religious and associates from work.

Sister Louis-Mary was a young nun, in her early 20s, who taught me in both my seventh and eighth grades in Montfort Academy, my small Catholic school in Fredericksburg, Va.

Most of the other nuns at the school-convent were considerably older. We students loved her, in part, because we could better relate to her. She was very pretty, even in her nun's habit, and had a sense of humor. Others were strict, whereas she seemed more flexible and tolerant.

We admired and were challenged by her spirituality, conveyed to us in her teaching, her prayerfulness and her desire to infuse us with a strong religious foundation. She was my all-time favorite nun.

Sister Louis-Mary was concerned about her students. We would soon be leaving our cozy class of 18 and joining public school classes of 200 and larger. In that crowd, one could easily lose a moral compass. Sister Louis-Mary repeated her warning often: "Be careful of your choice of friends. If you show me your friends, I will tell you who you are."

Many years later, in 1966, I took my fiancée, Geraldine, to meet the sisters at the motherhouse in New York City, hoping to see Sister Louis-Mary again. Unfortunately, she had moved on during the early '60s.

There were teachers who had great interest in me and wanted me to succeed. Their confidence and demands for high achievement were inspiration in themselves. They helped to make me aware of the importance of hard work and good character in my life.

Sister Louis-Mary's advice must have been burned into my brain, because I have been selective about my friendships. It's important for everyone, especially the young, to be aware of how we are influenced by others. Sometimes the popular people don't bring out the best in us.

Sister Louis-Mary challenged her kids to excel. She wanted us to be an example that people could look to and say, "There goes a Catholic person of character."

PART II

Not long ago, I emailed the contact person for the Daughters of Wisdom on Long Island, asking if they knew the whereabouts of my eighth-grade teacher. Imagine my surprise and joy a few days later when I read the following email from my favorite nun:

"Dear Gerard, indeed it was a surprise to read a one-line message from my provincial that simply said, 'Barbara, is this you?' With that, I read the forwarded message from Gerard Havasy. Amazing to hear from you after 50-plus years!

"I remember the Havasys: your mom; Steve, who was in my first class; Richard; and you. I was stunned to be included among the inspirational people in your life, touched by your description of me and impressed that you were so astute an observer at that age.

"In fact, I was in my early 20s and Montfort Academy was my first teaching assignment. A flood of good memories accompanied the reading of your message and the article which accompanied it.

"Thanks much for getting in touch and bringing back memories of grace-filled years.

"Sister Barbara O'Dea, DW (Sister Louis Mary)"

PART III

On Dec. 14, 2013, my wife and I visited Sister Barbara at her residence in Long Island. Former superior general of the International Daughters of Wisdom order, she is still active at age 80 in a Catholic hospital and her community.

We reminisced and recounted where our lives have taken us during the past 56 years. I recounted some of the lessons she taught that are still with me today - love of the Blessed Mother, the Rosary, saying morning and nightly prayers - and how these have influenced my life.

My wife thanked her for enkindling in the man she would marry a love of God and the Church.

(Mr. and Mrs. Havasy are graduates of the Albany Diocese's Formation for Ministry Program.)[[In-content Ad]]