Notre Dame staffer says campus ministry role is a blessing.
Mary Watson became a part of Notre Dame’s campus ministry department in 2012. Since then she’s had enough time to reflect on how she came to the position and, most importantly, why.
“When the part-time opening came up in campus ministry, it fit so perfectly,” said Watson, who grew up in Colorado. “After praying about the opportunity, I really felt that I was meant to be here. It's funny, looking back now, I can see how so many things over the years helped to prepare me for this job. But at the time, I had no idea where it was all leading.”
Watson previously spent 10 years in the classroom at a Catholic school, where she also managed Bible studies and a prayer group, and was a team member for Awaken Ministry. Prior to that, she worked 10 years in the banking industry.
She said now it all makes sense as most of her experiences provided a personal spiritual direction that have helped her grow in her faith so that “hopefully I can help others grow in the same way.”
Helping Notre Dame students in this faith journey consumes a big part of Watson’s time on campus.
“The administration of NDPMA and its board are committed to strengthening our Catholic identity and helping our students grow in their faith,” she said. “And for all of us in campus ministry, communicating the Marist Way has become a major focus. We constantly strive to help all the students and staff learn what it means to be Marist — to think, feel, judge and act as Mary. The Habits of the Heart, which are virtues that can be practiced in order to help one understand what it is to be Marist, hopefully are becoming part of the daily habits of everyone who walks on our beautiful campus.”
Watson’s two children, Nicholas and Anna, used to walk the campus of Notre Dame, but are now proud alumni. She said that when she first arrived at the school and her son was a 7th grader, she was immediately impressed.
“The first time I entered Notre Dame Prep was to attend an open house when Nicholas was exploring high schools,” she said. “I was from Colorado, so I didn't really know too much about any of the local high schools. But I was struck by Notre Dame’s mission that was painted on the wall next to the beautiful crucifix of our Lord as you enter through the main doors to the school. And I love that the mission acknowledges that all we do is with God's help. A school committed with God's help to form Christian people, upright citizens, and academic scholars was exactly what we wanted for our children.”
Anna Watson, a 2015 NDP alum, graduated recently from Albion College, and Nicholas, a 2012 NDP alum, graduated from the University of Chicago and now works at Morningstar, an investment research firm in Chicago.
Mary Watson, who holds an advanced catechist certification along with a B.S.B.A. degree in business administration and management (University of Denver), said she can’t imagine working anywhere other than in a school or other nonprofits — or in a any other profession.
“I'm not sure what I would do if I wasn't at a school,” she said. “Perhaps working at other positions helping others. But whatever lies ahead, I'll be trusting that God has a plan.”
So what does Watson think is the most important part of God’s “plan” for her?
“The most important thing I do here at Notre Dame is building relationships with students, staff and parents. We are a community of faith and with God’s help, we are growing together in faith and love.”
Comments or questions? mkelly@ndpma.org.
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About Notre Dame Preparatory School and Marist Academy
Notre Dame Preparatory School and Marist Academy is a private, Catholic, independent, coeducational day school located in Oakland County. Notre Dame Preparatory School enrolls students in grades nine through twelve and has been named one of the nation's best 50 Catholic high schools (Acton Institute) four times since 2005. Notre Dame's middle and lower schools enroll students in pre-kindergarten through grade eight. All three school are International Baccalaureate "World Schools." NDPMA is conducted by the Marist Fathers and Brothers and is accredited by the Independent Schools Association of the Central States and the North Central Association Commission on Accreditation and School Improvement. For more on Notre Dame Preparatory School and Marist Academy, visit the school's home page at www.ndpma.org