As I get older it becomes increasingly hard to say goodbye to our Bishop Kelly community, whether temporarily or indefinitely. This year, BK is saying goodbye to many beloved persons, one of whom is, Theology teacher and Campus Minister, Ms. Anna McCarthy.
In addition to teaching Theology at BK for the past five years, Ms. McCarthy attended the school as a student herself. Over her near decade with Bishop Kelly, she has witnessed the institution grow not only physically but spiritually, noting that students in recent years seem to feel far more comfortable discussing their faith in a class setting. While this change might be attributed to students having greater access to spiritual activities than in years prior, like going on class retreats and listening to guest speakers, there is no doubt that Ms. McCarthy’s infectious laugh, deep concern for her students, and passion for Christianity have influenced this migration in behavior.
At a young age Ms. McCarthy toyed with the idea of becoming a teacher, however, it wasn’t until college that she realized her “desire to educate the church” could be fulfilled by instructing youths in the ways of Catholicism. And goodness me, she has done well! Three years ago the rising senior class of 2024 entered Bishop Kelly’s doors for the first time as freshmen. With so many new people to meet, traditions to learn, and Covid-19 protocols to navigate, it was easy for the then underclassmen to feel a little lost in their day. The timidness experienced under cloth masks often blew away as students entered Ms. McCarthy’s classroom. Outside of inviting students to learn who Jesus is and proclaiming the Good News of the Lord with fervor, Ms. McCarthy contains a quality that students do not typically observe in their teachers…friendship.
If you’ve never had the pleasure of lunching in Ms. McCarthy’s classroom, sitting in on one of her lessons, or participating in Daughters of God – a club she created for female students to share their faith and grow in their sisterhood – then allow me to assure you of her candid nature. Over the last five years, Ms. McCarthy has become a trusted figure for many students, including myself, to go to in need of advice, times of joy, and even moments of insecurity. In reflection of those moments I can confidently say that, in the most ways a teacher can be, Ms. McCarthy is a deeply valued friend to her students. Bishop Kelly is glum to see her go, but rest assured she is moving on to great things.
Next year, Ms. McCarthy will be attending the Agustine Institute to begin her Master of Arts in Pastoral Theology with a concentration in Catechetics. Consistent with her calling, Catechetics is the study of how the Catholic faith is taught. One class she is particularly excited for is called Divine Pedagogy and Catacetical Methods, which asks “How does God teach? And, are [educators] teaching about God in the way that God teaches?” While Ms. McCarthy looks forward to uncovering the truths to these complex questions, she is very prepared to answer a query of another kind. When asked what she will miss most about BK, Ms. McCarthy believes “truly, all of the students and my coworkers. Just the community here really is like a family! That’s the thing that’s so hard to leave.”
Thankfully, Bishop Kelly doesn’t have to worry about our beloved teacher being gone forever. Ms. McCarthy would love to stay in touch with her former students and as she “can’t imagine [her] life being far away [from home],” hopes to visit BK regularly in the coming years. Who knows, with her ten-year reunion happening next summer, Ms. McCarthy might just find herself on a flight back to Boise in time for the Class of 2024’s graduation ceremony. Regardless of her next return to campus, to borrow a phrase from the lady herself, we hope to see you one day in Heaven, Ms. McCarthy! Hopefully that doesn’t sound too harsh…
The Bishop Kelly Newspaper 