Center for Catholic Education at UD

By Jacinta Mergler

The rare occasions when a university campus closes for inclement weather is a perfect opportunity to do a little reflecting in the midst of a busy week. I found myself doing just that between sips of hot chocolate and listening to the wind as it blew under the eaves of the back porch. The word “grateful” comes to mind for the obvious reasons of having heat and not having to leave the house, but then my thinking expanded to other things I was grateful for about my work. 

Having helped lead Lalanne for 15 years, I have been blessed to witness the growth of Lalanne. 2019 marks the program’s 20^th year of service to Catholic schools. A program designed from the beginning with a Marianist Spirit and the Marianist charism as part of its lived experience. I’m grateful for a founding director who mentored me in that same spirit and taught me that we do things differently here when we come to work at UD.

I’m grateful for this university who recognizes its mission lived out in Lalanne and continues to support us. From parking services to graduate class offerings it takes a community to help make it all happen. I’m grateful for Advisory Board members who meet with us twice each year to share their insights and challenge our growth and change. I’m grateful for Diocesan and school partnerships as they work with us to mentor young teachers and volunteer spiritual mentors who meet with the teachers each month at their community houses.

I’m grateful for almost 200 young men and women who felt called to be Catholic school teachers and further discerned their commitment by beginning their teaching careers through Lalanne. I’m grateful for the 88% who continue to serve in the field of education, many of them in Catholic schools. I’m grateful for those who chose different paths after Lalanne, realizing their talents would better serve the common good in other forms of service. I’m grateful that 11 couples met each other because they served in Lalanne. I’m grateful for all the ways they continue to live their Lalanne experience.

I’m grateful for the good things that are happening because of Lalanne. Thousands of elementary and high school students have been taught by Lalanne teachers. Schools have been able to add additional classrooms, serve students with special needs and several have doubled in size as they were able to add junior high classrooms to their K-6 buildings. Many of those junior high students now attend their local Catholic high schools. Graduates from Catholic high schools come to college at the University of Dayton because they were taught by a Lalanne teacher.

So the wind chill might read -38 but I am warmed by God’s continued blessings on Lalanne.