Dedication
Congratulations to Celestine Callaghan rsm
for 35 years of continuous service to St. Michael’s School, Poway, California
Something told the wild geese
It was time to go.
Though the fields lay golden
Something whispered, “Snow”.
These lines from a Rachel Field’s poem were the words with which Sr. Celestine informed the St. Michael’s School community of her intent to retire from her position as Principal. Sr. Celestine felt that after fifteen years of leading the school community she wished to spend more time teaching.
Sister first arrived in the United States and San Diego on August 15th, 1958. She was assigned to Holy Spirit School where she taught junior high. In 1967, Sr. Celestine became one of four Sisters who helped refound St. Anthony’s School in San Bernardino which had closed in the mid-sixties. She became the Principal of that school in January of 1970 and remained in that capacity until 1976. In 1976, Sr. Celestine was transferred to St. Columba School in San Diego where she taught sixth grade for one year. Then in 1977, she was sent to St. Michael’s as Principal. After nearly 34 years of responding to the call of her community of Sisters of Mercy, she was allowed to make the decision to retire from principalship with their blessing.
During Sr. Celestine’s tenure as Principal, St. Michael’s School made great strides. Under her leadership, both a kindergarten and a computer education program were established, a kindergarten and computer room were constructed, the school office was expanded, the sixth grade classroom was remodeled, the classrooms were carpeted and air conditioned, the PE and sports programs expanded, participation in the Institute for the Arts began, the parent involvement was initiated and the middle school grades (6 – 8) were departmentalised. Throughout her fifteen years of leadership, the school maintained full accreditation with the Western Association of Schools and Colleges, as well as with the Western Catholic Education Association, and was recognised throughout the community for providing quality Catholic education. The success which the school achieved is a tribute to her spiritual and educational leadership.
In the fall of 1992, Sr. Celestine returned to teaching and was responsible for being both the Vice-Principal of St. Michael’s and the math teacher for grades 6-8. After several years of instructing the middle-school students in mathematics, Sister decided to retire (again).
However, retirement for Sr. Celestine was not what most people would envision. In 2007, Sr. Celestine merely switched “hats” and began visiting each classroom weekly to present a brief lesson on a timely topic that related to the liturgical year, the saint of the day, or moral issues of the day.
Our children are truly blessed to have her presence on campus as well as being remembered in her daily prayers. Many parents of present students fondly remember her during their school career here, and we know this new generation will also remember her even after they graduate from SMS. We thank you from the bottom of our hearts for a lifetime of dedicated service to our community.
Yearbook Co-Ordinator/Teacher: Maureen Hetzel
US Province
