Bishop Fisher’s Catholic Schools Week tour heads to Niagara Falls
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Bishop Michael W. Fisher continued his tour of diocesan educational institutions in honor of Catholic Schools Week. On Tuesday, Jan. 28, he headed north. First to St. Mark School in Buffalo, then on to Catholic Academy of Niagara Falls and St. Stephen School on Grand Island.
At St. Mark’s, Bishop Fisher spoke of the meaning of family while celebrating Mass.
“When we think of family, we think of those who we have blood kinship with, right? You come out of the same grandparents or parents, uncles, aunts, nieces, nephews. They all have that family blood in us,” the bishop said as he walked up and down the center aisle of the church, addressing the kids directly.
“Today in our Gospel, Jesus is challenging the people around Him, and us, to see family from a wider perspective, a wider way. If Jesus drew his family, what would His picture look like? The way Jesus is describing family in our Gospel today, what would His family look like if He were to draw a picture?”
One student said “Everybody.”
Bishop Michael W. Fisher poses with Father Joseph Tokasz, administrator of Catholic Community Buffalo, North, and students of St. Mark School after Mass on Jan. 28 to celebrate Catholic Schools Week. (Photo by Nicole Dzimira) 
Bishop Michael W. Fisher observes how older and younger students work together at St. Mark School in Buffalo. (Photo by Nicole Dzimira) 
Everyone is part of the family at Catholic Academy of Niagara Falls. (Photo by Nicole Dzimira) 
Bishop Michael W. Fisher greets a young student at Catholic Academy of Niagara Falls during a Catholic Schools Week visit on Jan. 28. (Photo by Nicole Dzimira) 
Bishop Michael W. Fisher tries on a beekeeper uniform while visiting St. Stephen School. He received a jar of honey made on the Grand Island campus. (Photo by Nicole Dzimira) 
Bishop Michael W. Fisher watches as students at St. Stephen School use Kahoot, a game-based learning platform. (Photo by Nicole Dzimira) 
At the St. Stephen School talent show, students demonstrated their martial arts abilities. (Photo by Nicole Dzimira) 
Baton twirling was one spectacular talents on display at St. Stephen School during Catholic Schools Week. (Photo by Nicole Dzimira) 
Science teacher Phil Kenline lets students feel how cold liquid nitrogen can be.(Photo by Nicole Dzimira) 
One student displayed the art of kendo at the St. Stephen talent show. (Photo by Nicole Dzimira)
“That’s a good one,” Bishop Fisher replied. “I think that’s why Catholic schools are so wonderful. Because they help us see that we are part of a larger family; that we should be supporting, loving one another; and we are God’s family. So, I pray for you this week, my family.”
In the school, the bishop saw older students helping out the younger kids.
“We have our seventh grade students paired up with our pre-K students. They’re working on a service project making care packages for veterans. Right now, they’re making cards,” said Coleen Provino, a pre-K teacher.
While visiting the classrooms, the bishop asked if anyone had any questions for him. One student asked, “Do you know my uncle?” He was referring to Father Ryan Keating, who the bishop actually saw last Sunday.
At Niagara Catholic, Bishop Fisher, along with Father Sean Paul Fleming, and assistant superintendents Julie Gajewski and Chris Riso, were guided by two eighth graders Lovella Douglas and Lilli Minter. They watched human bowling in the school gym as pre-K 4 and eighth graders took turns pushing each other on scooters through a set of bowling pins. It worked out well with older kids pushing the younger ones, not so great with the little kids pushing the big kids.
While visiting classrooms, the questions of Bishop Mike continued and students learned the bishop’s fifth grade teacher was his favorite. “She got us into reading.” His favorite foods are meatloaf and peanut butter. He has no expectation of becoming a cardinal. And, he loves being in Buffalo. “It feels like home,” he said.
Catholic Academy offers Academic Intervention Services, a learning support room that provides targeted intervention for students struggling in math and reading. Thirty students from kindergarten through eighth grade take part. Younger kids learn to sound out letters, while older students work on reading comprehension and writing skills.
“It’s very effective,” said instructor Christine Connolly. “If you know a student is struggling in a certain area, and you target that area, and you’re consistent, and you’re using excellent targeted instruction and direct instruction, eventually you’re going to see some improvement.”
Lovella Douglas, one of the bishop’s guides, has attended several schools in different states. She likes Catholic Academy’s family-like atmosphere.
“I would say it’s about helping one another. We’re very close. I know we all try to help out,” she said. “These teachers are the best teachers I’ve ever had. I love it here. They care more than just about school work. You can talk to someone. I’ve been in schools where it’s just been school work. Here there are more activities. They are interactive with holidays.”
St. Stephen’s hosted a science demonstration from Science teacher Phil Kenline involving liquid nitrogen and potassium iodide. A talent show followed with students demonstrating their music abilities, gymnastic flexibility, and martial arts techniques.
“St. Stephen’s is a great Catholic community. Not only do we teach Catholic values, we teach the whole student to be responsible citizens,” said Principal Lynn Ortiz. “The school offers a variety of clubs and sports. We have many talented teachers offering to teach those talents to our students in addition to the academics.”
