Alliance for Catholic Education
Blessed Basil Moreau described zeal as the “great desire to make God known, loved, and served,” and I see this call as deeply future-facing. Zeal is not content with maintaining the present. Rather, it compels us to imagine what Catholic schools might become and to take bold steps toward that hope. At the same time, zeal keeps us grounded in the timeless traditions of our faith that give stability and meaning. Yet, these traditions are not static. Emily Roman, cohort 22, called this “being both timely and timeless” in a class discussion last year as she shared how her school navigates change. I continue to carry this idea with me. When lived with creativity and love, these timeless traditions become transformational, shaping how we confront new challenges and uncover new opportunities.
In a past Hidden Brain podcast, Wendy Smith described “tightrope walking” as the work of balancing stability and change without falling to one extreme. Leading with zeal often feels like walking that same tightrope, stretching toward the new while keeping firm footing in what endures, trusting that both sides are necessary for balance. That image resonates deeply with my vision for Catholic education, which must hold together what is and continue to be focused on what is yet to be.
And as we all know, this vision is not accomplished alone. True zeal requires recognizing the gifts of teachers, staff, students, parents, and community members, and weaving these together for the good of the whole community. By naming and nurturing these gifts, we are able to invite others to see their contributions as vital to the flourishing of the school and the mission of Catholic education. In this way, zeal multiplies itself! It becomes a shared fire that unites the community in hope. Zeal, as we define it, anchors optimism even in the face of setbacks. We know that our Catholic schools thrive best when they navigate paradox as a community. To lead with zeal is to embody that same resilient hope.
Hidden Brain: https://www.hiddenbrain.org/podcast/thriving-in-the-face-of-contradiction/
April Garcia, Ed.D.
Faculty, the Mary Ann Remick Leadership Program