When it comes to seeking the Holy Spirit’s guidance, Kara Roisum, the coordinator of Catholic Mission and Culture (CCMC) for the Diocese of Madison, is on the unlimited plan. 
 

Shifting from working with three schools in her first year to 10 schools during the 2025-2026 school year means responding to the uniqueness of each school and finding meaningful ways to help teachers in each school community develop their vocation as witnesses to the faith. 

“Last year I was getting my feet wet and gauging the needs, in terms of strengthening Catholic school culture,” said Roisum. 
 

“What I’ve discovered this year is that the desire for holiness is great, and the need for help even greater.” 

This realization gives her both hope and assurance that the Holy Spirit is at work. 

“Teaching can be very isolating, especially in our smaller schools where a lot of time is spent accommodating instructional needs,” said Roisum. 

“There’s no time to address personal needs or share spiritual needs with colleagues.” 

To assist, the Office of Evangelization and Catechesis leads an annual Metanoia retreat for each school, and several schools provide morning faculty prayer gatherings and additional retreat opportunities. 

However, once the school year begins, priorities shift to student well-being, leaving little time for faculty to prioritize their own faith community. Sustaining this energy is where Roisum feels most useful. 

“The Spirit is at work in many classrooms,” she said. 

“My role is to help principals create space for teachers to gather and experience God at work in their vocation.” 

All Saints School in Berlin is one of the schools working with Roisum this school year. 

According to Jana Dahms, the school principal, providing this opportunity for her teachers is critical. 

“Kara provides another level, showing us ways to live our Catholic Faith with each other and students,” said Dahms. 

Many teachers agree, including Breanna Sutherland, middle school math, science, and writing teacher, who believes taking time to discuss faith is important in building relationships. 

“When talking about faith, teachers are able to be vulnerable and connect deeply beyond the shell of a teacher seen at school,” she said. 

Sutherland also sees the benefits to the school community. 

“We have a community of empathy, understanding, and faith that continues beyond the CCMC’s time with us.” 

As part of the diocese’s Go Make Disciples evangelization initiative, Catholic Mission and Culture seeks to develop the teaching community’s relationship with God through individual and group reflection and conversations intended to renew their commitment to be witnesses for students. 

For several schools, simply gaining an understanding of each other’s work styles is enough to allow for compassion where it had not been prior. 

For teachers at All Saints School, diving into sections from C.S. Lewis’s classic The Screwtape Letters proved to be the catalyst for creating a space where teachers allowed themselves to be vulnerable. 

One teacher even commented at the conclusion of the workshop: “I don’t ever get to talk to other teachers. We have so many new ones this year, I hardly know them. This was the first time I spoke to some of them. Can we do more of this?” 

Catholic schoolteachers play a vital role in the evangelizing mission of the Church. 

Your generous support brings opportunities for teachers to encounter Jesus and build a community of care. 

As All Saints School first grade teacher Kari Scharff stated, “As a new teacher to [the school], I am continually thanking God for the wonderful gift of being a teacher in a Catholic school . . . We are blessed to teach in a school that focuses on our amazing Faith and [allows us] to share that with our students!”