Two Sisters

I suppose I had more than two teachers during the first eight years of my formal education, but I truthfully can  remember only two. Sister Mary Rita was a small, squarely built grandmotherly woman with a disposition as gentle  as the morning dew. She was as sweet and kind as any creature for which God has favored this earth. I loved her with all of my childlike heart. Sister Mary David, on the other hand,  was a tall, lanky, big boned woman with a blunt and straightforward manner.  One of her favorite expressions was,"I'm from Missouri, so show me!"

 * Since initially writing this story, Sister Mary David wrote my Mom and told her that she felt that she didn't look to good in the account.  To be fair to her, I should point out that she had the most difficult task of teaching grades 5 through 8, all in one room, and I'm sure her actions of dicipline were much needed. Sister Mary Rita, it must be admitted, had a much easier task. It should also be noted that the recollections reported here were from the perspective of a pre-teenage boy. Today, I have the greatest respect and admiration for the job Sister Mary David did, and I'm grateful for her contribution to my education.

Saint Sebastian's Church and School was housed in a converted roller skating rink. The building itself looked very much like one of the tow boats that moved coal up and down the Green River. The front section was a rectangular, two story edifice that housed the two rooms downstairs used for class rooms and a two bedroom apartment upstairs that served as living quartersfor the two nuns who taught the eight grades.The remainder of the building was a long, narrow  section that was divided into two main rooms, the recreation room for the school and the sanctuary for the church.The entire construction was made from concrete blocks with narrow strips of oak planking for flooring.  It still amazes me today, when I hear people bemoan the lack of  facilities and resources that prevent our public education system from turning out well  educated students that are able to perform in the competitive world. For the parents of the children of St Sebastian's School, as well as the students, it was an indisputable fact that those two nuns turned out students that were much better prepared for high school than the children in public schools. The lack of physical resources was more than compensated for by the dedication and hard work of the two sisters.

 The first four grades were lined up by rows in one room, while the next four grades, also in rows, were in the other room. As the teacher worked with one row, the students in the other three grades were kept busy with study and homework. The system worked quite well, not in small part because of the strict discipline enforced by the nuns.

 My first four years were so uneventful that the only thing that I can remember was my desperate attempt at handwriting.   I just couldn't make that pencil move in the correct gyrations that were necessary for cursive script. Even today, writing  by hand is a torturous exercise that I avoid like a plague. I think the problems resides in the fact that I am naturally left handed. Writing, playing a musical instrument, eating and ping pong are the only things that I do with my right hand.  All other activities are done with the left hand.

While my first four years were quite tranquil, with few memories to relate, my graduation into fifth grade and into the domain of Sister Mary David brings back all sorts of vivid memories. Recess and lunch became much more important to me as I faced the stress of Room Two. One of the strongest memories drift back through time to me is the aroma of the baked beans and weenies that we often had for lunch. The noontime break was an island of respite for me, a bright stop to look forward to.

Lest I leave the impression that Sister Mary David was a tyrant, let me state that I truly did love the woman. Though she was not one to trifle with, she was a fair and compassionate woman. I remember one episode that happened to me that was taken almost literally out of the script of the movie, "The Bells of St Mary".

 I, like many grade school boys, suffered from the tyranny of a school yard bully. My nimeses was just a bit taller than me, but in all other respect we were of the same build. I have never been one to rise to confrontation and this boy saw in me an easy prey. Sister Mary David noticed what was going on, and took me aside one day and gave me some advice.  " When he starts picking on you again," she said, " Just bust him with your fist as hard as you can." A few days later, I reported to her that my problem had been resolved. Indeed, the surprising blow to the side of the head did wonders for our relationship, and while we never became close friends, this boy and I never had another problem.

Perhaps the most vivid memory of my graduation into fifth grade was the image of an oversized badminton paddle. The  nuns would enjoy the delicate sport of badminton at times, and one of the men of the parish made them some sturdy wooden paddles. Unlike the ones that are purchased in the stores, these paddles were made of 1/8 inch plywood with strong wooden grips. In the eyes of ten year old boy, they seemed huge. They were in fact, a perfect fit for a certain part of the ten year old anatomy and it didn't take a resourceful woman like Sister Mary David long to discover another  application for these paddles.

In the fifth grade, I discovered my intense hatred for mathematics and as a result, I would never have my home work  done. The remedy for this oversight was a trip to the front of the room where I had to bend over Sister's desk, rear end  facing the class, and meekly wait for judgement to fall. The deafening "whoosh" of the paddle, preceded by the faint  tinkle of rosary beads, caused such an expectation of impending doom that when the paddle finally met it's intended  target, it's victim would invariably be in a state of intense dread and panic. In fact, the sensation of a stinging bottom  resting on the cool wooden seat of a desk brought such a sense of relief that I was able often able to put the whole  incident immediately out of mind, until the next day that is. With the next days homework unfinished, the daily ritual would continue. I guess I eventually did do my homework, for although I can't remember the specific day that this confrontation was resolved, the spankings eventually did cease and reflecting back on the good Sister's character, I'm  certain of who won the battle.

Another episode that I still remember with a chuckle was when Danny Simons had the misfortune to cross Sister Mary David. I don't remember the exact nature of the offense, but I will never forget the sight of Sister Mary David chasing  Danny around the rec. room, black veils flying, rosary beads clanging, and the sound of Danny's high pitched nasal voice crying loudly "Ouch" with every step, as the paddle made contact with his fleeing backside.

In truth, I must admit that I owe a great debt to my Catholic upbringing. I owe an ever greater debt to these two  women. In them, I saw a physical representation of the nature of God. In Sister Mary Rita, I learned of His grace and  mercy. From Sister Mary David, I learned of His discipline and judgement. It is extremely significant to me that the first rejection of God came to me while in college, when I no longer wanted to be bound by the restraints of a moral life. It was against the judgement and discipline of the Lord that I rebelled. When my course of youthful rebellion had  run it's course, however, it was the mercy and love of the Father of Light and the image of His Son Jesus that brought me back into His service.

In the lives of these two sisters, I gained the necessary ingredients for a successful spiritual life. In them I learned the balance of righteousness and mercy. I have been enriched by their service. I am grateful for their dedication and thank my Savior for sending them my way.

The school is no longer in operation. Sister Mary Rita has gone on to be with her Master, and Sister Mary David is in retirement at Mount St. Joseph.  St Sebastian's Church is still a functioning parish and on those occasions when I have  reason to return to the old building, I like to walk to the two rooms and remember the two sisters that were so much a part of my early years.

     * The church was severely damaged during a storm a few years ago and a new building has been errected. I plan on getting a picture of the new building the next time I'm in Calhoun.

"For as you were once disobedient to God, yet have now obtained mercy through their disobedience, even so these also   have now been disobedient, that through the mercy shown you they also may obtain mercy. For God has committed them all to disobedience, that He might have mercy on all. Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and His ways past finding out! "        

Romans 11:30-33 (NKJ)

  © 2002 by Steve Tichenor