Dr. Mary C. McDonald, secretary of education and superintendent of schools for the diocese of Memphis, TN, shares with us her story about St. John Neumann, C.Ss.R., and his intercession in her life as a Catholic educator:

Ordered In Love

"The story was part of my childhood, part of growing up in the Catholic schools in Philadelphia. I heard many times about how the fourth Bishop of Philadelphia, Bishop John Neumann, C.Ss.R., had died in the snow in the streets of Philadelphia while checking on his beloved schools. I am not really sure of his errand that snowy day, but I am sure of his love and devotion to Catholic education. Not only am I a product of it, I experience his ongoing intercession on its behalf as a Catholic educator.

"Twelve years ago, when I was principal of a Catholic school in Memphis, Tennessee, I was challenged to address the overcrowding with a new building that was needed to accommodate the growing number of students. I knew we needed to expand, but saw no way to make it happen. I turned to St. John Neumann and prayed for his intercession and his help to assist a school he surely would have loved. I promised to name the new building in his honor and in gratitude for his guidance once the building was complete.

"Not long after, we began to receive the help we needed and a plan to finance the building. Each day the entire school said a prayer to St. John Neumann for the successful completion of the building and the safety of the workers. A little more than a year later, Bishop J. Terry Steib, Bishop of Memphis, dedicated St. John Neumann Hall, a beautiful two-story educational facility at St. Benedict School.

"Nine years ago, I was appointed Secretary of Education and Superintendent of Schools for the Diocese of Memphis. In this capacity, I am responsible for expanding and opening Catholic schools in our Diocese, and for the reopening of eight long-closed Catholic schools in the inner city and urban areas of Memphis to address a population in poverty. In our Catholic schools office hangs a large portrait of St. John Neumann. My prayers for his intercession and guidance continue. I feel his hand on my shoulder, especially during times of challenge and weariness. I think about the story of his dedication and love of Catholic schools, and I am inspired to keep going, to keep doing God's work through our Catholic schools.

"I quote him often: 'If you want to grow the Church, grow the schools.' And so, we grow."