Catholic Schools Week tour ends with visit to South Buffalo
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The annual Catholic Schools Week tour of area educational institutes came to a close on Jan. 31, as Bishop Michael W. Fisher and his team visited South Buffalo.
For the past week, Bishop Fisher, along with assistant school superintendents Julie Gajewski and Chris Riso, visited 11 elementary and high schools within the Diocese of Buffalo, celebrating Mass, meeting teachers, and talking to students about the CSW theme “United in Faith and Community.”
At St. Martin of Tours Parish, Bishop Fisher celebrated Mass explaining the parable of the mustard seed from the Gospel of Mark. The bishop shared that he kept a small Victory Garden as a child. He was always amazed at how a small seed, when nurtured, would turn into a giant bush of delicious fruit.
Students of Notre Dame Academy bring up the gifts to Bishop Michael W. Fisher during a special Catholic Schools Week Mass at St. Martin of Tours Parish in South Buffalo. (Photo by Patrick J. Buechi) 
Eighth graders from Notre Dame Academy show off school pride in their school sweatshirts. (Photo by Patrick J. Buechi) 
Notre Dame Academy offers a warm welcome to Bishop Michael W. Fisher who visited the South Buffalo school as part of Catholic Schools Week. (Photo by Patrick J. Buechi) 
Students at Notre Dame Academy know how to get to class fast. The South Buffalo elementary schools offers bicycles to help incorporate physical activity into their students’ day. (Photo by Patrick J. Buechi) 
Look closely and see the faces of Mount Mercy students in this photo mosaic. (Photo by Patrick J. Buechi) 
Students at Notre Dame Academy. (Photo by Patrick J. Buechi) 
Bishop Michael W. Fisher visits Notre Dame Academy on Jan. 31 as part of his diocesan-wide Catholic Schools Week tour. (Photo by Patrick J. Buechi) 
Notre Dame Academy provides the steps for students to succeeed. (Photo by Patrick J. Buechi) 
Notre Dame Academy offers its students a bit more than a standard gym for physical education. (Photo by Patrick J. Buechi) 
This bearded dragon is just one of animals residing in the science lab of Mount Mercy Academy in South Buffalo. (Photo by Patrick J. Buechi) 
Bishop Michael W. Fisher chats with Mount Mercy juniors about their school and their future during a Jan. 31 Catholic Schools Week visit. (Photo by Patrick J. Buechi)
“Jesus is giving us this image today of this seed, this seed that really becomes His kingdom,” Bishop Fisher explained. “He came here really to proclaim His kingdom to us. We’re all part of that, in unity, in faith, in community. When we talk about unity and community, it’s all about being part of that kingdom of God.”
After Mass, Bishop Fisher spoke to the eighth graders briefly about graduation and high school.
He then crossed the street to visit the classrooms at Notre Dame Academy’s elementary campus. He met one fourth grade student determined to learn the bishop’s age. The lad asked how old he was when he became a bishop, what year he graduated high school, and what year he was born. Seeing this as a teachable moment, Bishop Fisher replied that his birthday is the feast day of St. Katharine Drexell and was born during the Eisenhower administration. It was up to the student to find those dates.
The bishop also quizzed the kindergarteners on Groundhog Day and heard the fifth graders recite the Our Father in Spanish.
To celebrate Catholic Schools Week, the Notre Dame students have been writing letters to EMS personnel, fire halls and local businesses, thanking them for the service and support they provide.
“We’ve been celebrating community. So we’ve been writing letters to people in the community, companies in the community,” explained Principal Leanne Brennan. “Today, we’re celebrating families, so kids were bringing in board games and celebrating just by playing and being with each other.”
Mount Mercy Academy became the final stop. The only high school on the tour, Bishop Fisher was able to meet with a group of 11th grade girls and talk to them about their school and their plans for college. During their meeting, the girls learned the bishop received word he would be coming to Buffalo while praying at his parents’ grave. They also learned his favorite Bible verse. The bishop quickly recited Psalm 18: “Oh Lord, I love You, my God.”
“I think I love that one the most because it’s one of the only places in the Scriptures where we, as human beings, are expressing our love of God,” he explained.
Before leaving, he offered this simple advice to the girls. “Pray. Keep prayer as an important part of your life and be open to that little voice of God,” he said. “You’re the present and you’re the future of our Church and our society. We need you. We need your faith. We need your enthusiasm and your zeal.”
Meeting with Bishop Fisher fits into Mount Mercy’s project-based learning, in which students forge relationships with community leaders.
“We’re constantly encouraging girls to do interviews with everyone in the community,” said Principal Michele Melligan. “So, this was a special event that they were looking forward to because they know the importance of who he is, what he stands for, and what he represents.”
Bridgette Bell, one of the 11th graders, enjoyed learning about the bishop.
“It was really exciting because I had never been put in a position like that,” she said. “We were sitting in such a small group talking to him. I learned a lot from him. He was just so open and willing to say so much about his career and his life. I thought it was interesting to learn more about that.”
