By Kelley Kepler
Catholic Herald

Jackson honored for dedication to schools

PARK FALLS --For many years, Fr. James J. Jackson has been dedicated to helping Catholic schools. He said, "I do whatever I can for people to realize the value of Catholic education. Catholic schools teach values that are so important in the world today." Jackson was recently awarded the Bishop George A. Hammes Award for his outstanding service to Catholic schools.

Jackson has been a priest in the diocese for over 30 years. He is currently the pastor at St. Anthony de Padua Parish in Park Falls

and also serves Immaculate Conception, Butternut, and St. Francis of Assisi, Fifield. In addition, Jackson was diocesan chaplain of the Knights of Columbus for two years. He now serves as council chaplain in Park Falls and Butternut.

Originally from Milwaukee, Jackson attended St. Francis Seminary for 12 years. He switched to the Diocese of Superior while still in Milwaukee and has worked in the diocese ever since.

He has served a number of locations that have Catholic schools, such as Ladysmith, Superior, Rhinelander and now Park Falls. This is how he originally got involved with the schools.

"Catholic schools are a wonderful opportunity, but they need help," Jackson said. The costs rise every year, and the question is, "How do we keep our Catholic schools and not be forced to close them down?"

Jackson said it is especially difficult for Catholic schools to pay teachers competitive salaries. Catholic school teachers generally work for 30 to 40 percent less

than public school teachers. Consequently, it is difficult for Catholic schools to retain talented teachers.

Jackson has worked to make others aware of the value of Catholic schools, to increase endowments and to help through numerous fund-raising efforts. The most recent is Project Youth, a program he and James Burgraff, a friend who now lives in the Green Bay diocese, developed last year with the Knights of Columbus.

Through Project Youth, the Knights are working to meet the needs of Catholic schools, both in the diocese and throughout the state. Their newest fund-raiser involves selling Christmas wreaths. "We were looking for something that is easy to sell and something everybody can use," Jackson said. Twenty-seven councils throughout the state are currently selling wreaths.

The Knights use part of the money they earn to adopt Catholic school teachers. Councils pair up with schools in their areas to help provide teachers with incentives to stay at Catholic schools. They often give the teachers bonuses or find other ways to supplement their salaries.

Some of the money goes toward a scholarship fund to help Catholic students pay for college. The Knights also have a Web site that allows students and parents to search for scholarships and other available financial aid. In addition, the Knights use some of the money to set up squires groups and college councils for youth and young adults.

Not only does Jackson help Catholic schools meet their great needs, but he also does his share of teaching. He visits classes at St. Anthony de Padua School on a rotating basis. He also teaches confirmation classes.

About his experience as a teacher, Jackson said, "You try to be as visible as you can." He added, "If you're going to teach anyone, they have to know you; you have to build a relationship with them. And then they start to learn because they trust you."

Jackson enjoys taking youths on a retreat to Montana every other year. He said the group volunteers on a Chippewa reservation for a week and then spends a week at Glacier National Park.

Students volunteer to paint houses, build fences, split wood or help with whatever needs to be done on the reservation. Jackson said they get the chance to experience a pow wow and learn about Native American culture from a different perspective. "The experience broadens their horizons," he said.

He added that he thinks Glacier National Park is one of the most beautiful places in the world, and kids love the opportunity to go hiking and white water rafting there.

He said many students enjoy the retreat so much they call it "the best vacation ever." When they are older, many donate money for future trips or volunteer to chaperone the retreats. Jackson said some families also go on the retreat, and the time spent together helps strengthen families.

Overall, Jackson enjoys working with students and finds it rewarding to "see kids grow up and become good Christians." He enjoys seeing them get involved and give back to their parishes, schools and communities.

Jackson said he was honored to receive the Bishop George A. Hammes Award. "I accepted it on behalf of all school teachers and religious education teachers," he said. "Together we help children know Christ and live better lives. We're all in it together."

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© Superior Catholic Herald, 2002