Meet the Sisters

A Day in the Life...
S. Marie Pauline Skalski

Where do you live and minister?
I live in Okemos, Mich., and minister at
St. Martha Parish School.
 
Please give a brief description of your ministry.
Currently I find myself in the office wearing two hats, assistant principal and school counselor. I especially love counseling because I get to work with the children who have challenges. Their challenges may be academic, social, psychological or physical.
 
How long have you been in this ministry?
I started the school 17 years ago and was the first principal. Once all the grades were established and the programs all in place, I decided I needed a break from administration so I became the fourth grade teacher. Fourth grade was my most taught and best loved grade, so I found it very life giving. After six years of being on “break,” I found myself back in the office as assistant principal and counselor.
 
When does your day begin, and what is your morning ritual?
Very early! But that is OK because I am a morning person. I begin my day with morning prayer; the prayer recited by religious around the world. Then I begin my meditation with a centering prayer. I end this prayer with two requests, “What do I need to know this day?” and “How may I serve?”

Please describe a day in your ministry.
At school I work closely with the principal. We both arrive early to discuss the tasks for the day. At 8:30 a.m. I attend our parish Mass. On Thursdays we have an all-school Mass where students do the readings, petitions and music. The pastor comes down to the children and has a dialog homily with them. It is a highlight of the week. Sprinkled throughout the day are my appointments with children who are feeling bullied, stressed with a new diagnosis of diabetes, or who have been engaged in general misbehavior. Sometimes it is the parents who stop in to ask for advice in handling their preteens, or to check on programs for their gifted student. In between appointments I try to get my desk work done. This might be approving free lunch applications, filling out the paperwork for the renewal of the preschool license, mentoring a new teacher, or working out a schedule for the PLC’s (Professional Learning Communities).
 
How do you spend your evenings?
My evenings begin with what I call my vesper hour. When I come to a thought or phrase I want to take time with, I might get up and start some water boiling for pasta. I mingle my prayer with the preparation of my supper. It is a casual, prayerful, reverent time - just what I need to follow a busy day at school. The rest of the evening might be reading e-mail, watching the news, taking care of a few household tasks, or going to my weightlifting class for women or a Michigan State University women’s basketball game.
  
How do you carry out the spirit of Elizabeth Seton in your daily ministry?
Elizabeth is such an example for today. Despite the trials and sorrows she experienced in life, she did not waiver in her love of God and those around her. She did not waiver in her duty. Her accomplishments were for God. She wrote, “Our least action, when done for God, is precious to Him.”

What are your interactions with other Sisters of Charity or Associates?
Two Sisters of Charity minister at St. Martha with me. S. Anita Parks is our preschool teacher and S. Pat Newhouse visits residents at our local nursing home. We are able to pray, have meals, recreate and relax together. Two other Sisters of Charity live in the Lansing, Mich., area and we are able to get together with them every few weeks. I also keep in touch with friends and mentors through e-mail and telephone. Mother Seton considered letter writing a virtue. In her spirit I try to send cards to Sisters when I learn they are sick or have lost a loved one.

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