I am in awe that Meitler is celebrating 50 years of service to the Catholic Church through its schools and parishes. The lives that are touched, the challenges met, and the transformation that takes place then and now is remarkable. The dream given form by Neal Meitler and all who worked to enhance that dream is truly a gift shared with so many dioceses, schools and parishes. I am truly blessed to have the privilege of being part of this team.
It has been a short 23 years since I joined the Meitler team following my time as a Catholic high school teacher, administrator and superintendent of Catholic schools for the Diocese of San Bernardino. Looking back, I enjoyed my time in each role of my career as a Catholic educator and am blessed to know so many good people and great mentors as I moved through the years. As anyone in our ministry of Catholic education knows, Catholic schools are truly life-giving.
As part of the Meitler team over the years I have the great fortune to meet the most dedicated and committed individuals in all areas of Catholic life, particularly in our schools that I partnered with the most. From hard-working and truly dedicated administrators, teachers and staff members, supportive clergy and religious, families who entrust their children to us, and donors and friends who make so many things possible through their generosity. Their vision and tenacity in ensuring that our Catholic schools thrive in the face of increasing challenges is admirable and they are the people who inspire me in my career and life as an educator and planner. It is a genuine honor to partner with so many great people who share a vision for something better and greater for children, families, school and parish communities and work diligently to bring that vision to life.
In all I have learned and now have the honor of passing on, I see a future of greater service to our Church and its ministries along with other faith communities in new and exciting ways. The strategic partnership of the Meitler team with our good friends of Ruotolo Associates expands the potential for an even deeper reach within our faith-based world of influence. New and visionary leadership in this partnership brings opportunities and possibilities that address a very different and rapidly changing world and society today.
The Roman philosopher and statesman, Lucius Annaeus Seneca wrote “Every new beginning comes from some other beginning’s end.” While a golden anniversary of 50 years is not an end, it is a good time to reminisce on what we have achieved and celebrate as we say, “here’s to the next fifty years!”
