Patrick McPartland/Staff Photographer - (Left) Father Joseph McShane, 32nd president of Fordham University and former teacher at Canisius High School gives the keynote address at the 2012 Making a Difference Dinner at the Adam's Mark Hotel. (Right) Patty Page, a teacher at Holy Family School in LeRoy, accepts the 2012 Sister Lucille Socciarelli/Father John Sturm “Making a Difference” Award. The award was established by Tim Russert, former moderator of NBC’s Meet the Press, to honor two teachers who had an influence on his life.

The president of New York City’s Fordham University outlined a vision for Buffalo’s Catholic schools Thursday night, as hundreds packed the grand ballroom at the Adam’s Mark Hotel for the annual “Making a Difference: A Celebration of Catholic Schools” dinner.

“As we all know, the Catholic school systems of the United States face tremendous challenges at this time,” said Father Joseph McShane, SJ, president of Fordham. “In spite of all the challenges, I face the future with great confidence. Having said that, I think it would be unwise for us to think that the Catholic schools of the future will be exactly like the Catholic schools that flourished in the 19th and 20th centuries.”

The Jesuit outlined several initiatives to improve Catholic schools, including convincing the broader Catholic community to support Catholic education, offering a clear and compelling vision, building a Catholic community of shared concern and “think globally, but act locally.”

“We as a church have to be wise enough to trust local leaders who have listened to the needs of their families in their communities and allow a great deal of leeway in the schools and the way in which they are run,” he said.

Father McShane pushed Catholic leaders to launch a sophisticated and sustained public relations campaign, as well as create an environment in the schools where students are nurtured yet challenged; strive for academic excellence; add value dimensions and keep devotion to faith education.

“In light of the fact that our schools exist and must try to survive in a very competitive environment, it’s absolutely essential that we wrestle with the question of what makes Catholic schools compellingly attractive to students and their families,” he said. “We must make it clear that our schools will never insult their students with low expectations.” 

Beyond outlining specific goals, Father McShane’s lecture offered pep talks and rallying cries to the audience, filled with diocesan leaders, educators and other supporters.

“If we can convince the faithful that what we offer has value – transcendent value – they will support us. They always have,” Father McShane said. “You are from Buffalo. You are the sons and daughters, spiritually speaking, of Nelson Baker, who never saw a challenge he couldn’t rise to.”

A native of New York City and former instructor at Canisius High School in Buffalo, Father McShane said he loves Buffalo for a number of reasons.

“Its citizens are simply extraordinary,” he said. “Buffalo also boasts some of the most remarkable architecture in the country. Buffalo’s Catholics have a great devotion to the Church.”

Canisius College President John Hurley, who introduced the speaker, said Father McShane was the embodiment of all that Jesuits hold dear.

“He has a vigorous intellect,” Hurley said. “He’s devoted to the service of the Catholic faith. He has a keen sense of justice, a dedication to the development of the whole person and a good spirituality that seeks for God in all things.”

Father McShane was the keynote speaker for the dinner, which brought together supporters for Catholic education that helped raise more than $300,000 for the Catholic Elementary School Tuition Assistance program. The event is also designed to honor teachers and supporters of the cause. 

Patty Page, a teacher at LeRoy’s Holy Family School, was awarded the Sister Lucille Socciarelli/Father John Sturm “Making a Difference” award, named in honor of the two teachers that most influenced Tim Russert, the late host of NBC’s “Meet the Press” and Buffalo native. His son Luke, now a correspondent with NBC News, introduced Page in a video segment.

While accepting the award, Page said families, the Church and the nation face historical difficulties today.

“I truly believe with our own spiritual growth, we can overcome all these difficulties,” she said. “We need to have compassion for others, we need to have gratitude for all that we have, and finally, we need to have a reliance on God. I don’t know of a better place to learn these values other than a Catholic school.”

In addition, Father Mark J. Wolski, pastor of SS. Peter and Paul Parish in Hamburg, and Jerry and Barbara Mazurkiewicz received the bishop’s medal for their continued support of Catholic education.

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