‘All Ye Crawling Things, Praise the Lord!’

By REV. MICHAEL P. ORSI
It was late in August, 1982, when I received a call from the Diocesan Superintendent of Schools. Monsignor 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, Sister Marie, assigned a veteran teacher, Sister Saint 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 class-room. I shared a home-room 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 Wild-wood 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. J-seph, 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.
(ED NOTE: Orsi is Chaplain and Research Fellow in Law and Religion at Ave Maria School of Law, Naples, Fla.)