By FR. MICHAEL P. ORSI
It was late in August 1982 when I received a call from the diocesan superintendent of schools. Msgr. James Tracey told me that Bishop George Guilfoyle wanted me to teach at Wildwood Catholic High School. In prior years I dodged similar requests by the bishop, pleading love for parish work.
But, this time it was different. I had lived for almost a year with a very difficult pastor. I was so disillusioned and spiritually drained by the experience that this latest invitation came like a reprieve from hell. I readily accepted the offer to become part of the Camden Diocese’s teaching apostolate.
I arrived in Lower Cape May County on Labor Day Weekend. School was scheduled to open in a week. I had no teacher training and no classroom experience. As a matter of fact, I didn’t even know what a “lesson plan” was.
In an attempt to quickly professionalize me, the principal, Sr. Marie, assigned a veteran teacher, Sr. St. Gervase, to coach and mentor me. My inexperience and immaturity, I know, were a challenge to both of them but they were always patient and kind. As years passed, I realized I would never have tolerated such antics as mine during that first year from any teacher in my charge.
Once the students arrived, I found to my chagrin that I genuinely liked them. They were around the same age as my youngest sibling. So, I was able to appreciate, as the colloquialism goes, “where they were coming from.” Their energy and enthusiasm buoyed my flagging spirit and they gave me a new lease on my vocation.
As Christmas drew near the students began to talk about decorating the classroom. I shared a homeroom with Mrs. Martha (Marty) Conlin. Marty was a seasoned professional who guided me with her wizened experiences. She also became a personal friend. When the students suggested that we have a Christmas tree, I foolishly agreed, not clearing it with anyone. I couldn’t see any harm in it. And, I couldn’t have been more wrong.
Over a pre-Christmas weekend the students placed a tree in the classroom. When we arrived for school on Monday morning, however, we were greeted not only by the tree but by bugs which inhabited it crawling everywhere. Later, I found out that the tree had been cut down from some undisclosed location along the Garden State Parkway. When confronted with the infestation by those in authority, I flippantly responded, “All ye crawling things, Praise the Lord!”
The fact is that I was a partner in crime with the Class of 1983, whom I often reference as the “first loves” of my long career in education.
I will never forget my first Christmas at Wildwood Catholic. When the sight of the bugs caused me to praise God, I realized that in my short time there, I had been healed by the patience, kindness, forgiveness, and love of the high school community.
To the Sisters of St. Joseph, to Mrs. Conlin, to the faculty, staff, and the students, I send a belated thank you for the Christmas gift you were to me 30 years ago.
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