The Gratitude Tour: The Most Reverend Joel M. Konzen

In 1982, after instructing for a yr within the DeKalb County Faculty system, I discovered of an English place on the Marist Faculty in North Atlanta, GA.  I found in my analysis earlier than making use of for the place that the aim of the Marist Brothers and Fathers is “to make Jesus recognized and liked by way of the training of younger individuals as a mannequin of Mary.”  Till that second, I’d by no means thought of unbiased training, and definitely not a sectarian or Catholic faculty.  

I used to be raised within the Presbyterian church.  All through my life, although, I’ve develop into good associates with many individuals raised within the Catholic religion.  In my expertise, these raised within the Catholic church are usually unselfish servants who search no consideration for doing good.  These are qualities that enchantment to me even when I wrestle to exhibit them myself.  With my already-established fondness for these raised Catholic, I made a decision to contact Marist.   

I didn’t have many educators in my nook at that time in my profession.  Doubtless, I referred to as upon Shirley Underwood from my expertise at Carter Excessive Faculty again in Knoxville to put in writing a suggestion.  Subsequently, I may give Bishop Joel Konzen credit score for being among the many first to see qualities in me I didn’t fairly see in myself in that summer time of 1982, solely seven years faraway from highschool.

I bear in mind feeling nervous and intimidated the afternoon I used to be to satisfy with Father Konzen (who would develop into a Bishop years later).  When he welcomed me into his workplace at Marist Faculty, a lot of that feeling vanished nearly instantly.  His variety eyes and mild, welcoming voice put me comfortable even earlier than I sat down.  After just a few extra minutes of introductions, I spotted I had no cause in any respect to really feel nervous or intimidated.  I ought to have merely recalled my previous experiences with these raised within the Catholic church.  Over the subsequent three years, I’d have many interactions with Father Konzen, all constructive and reassuring.  He was my first and greatest function mannequin as a non secular chief. He confirmed me the kindness and humility that ought to include that place.  He all the time made me really feel that he was there to serve me.  My earlier emotions had been quickly changed with nothing however utmost respect.

As I drove to the Archdiocese of Atlanta in Smyrna, GA, on the afternoon of October 15, 2025, forty years after my closing yr at Marist, emotions of nervousness and intimidation as soon as once more crept into my psyche.  I puzzled why Bishop Konzen had even agreed to our assembly and if he remembered me very nicely despite the fact that our e mail correspondence had already indicated he at the very least recalled who I used to be.  Additionally, he had risen by way of the ranks to develop into a Bishop so I puzzled if that had modified him.  A personable woman met me contained in the entrance door of the Archdiocese to take my identify and provides me a customer’s go.  One other pleasant woman quickly met me to escort me upstairs to Bishop Konzen’s workplace.  I had with me a bottle of Glen Moray Speyside single malt Scotch I had chosen for Bishop Konzen as another technique to present my gratitude.

After I arrived at Bishop Konzen’s modest workplace, his door was open.  A form face I had not seen in forty years in addition to his heat smile and calming voice welcomed me.  We shook fingers.  He thanked me for the beverage and advised we sit at a close-by desk.  At that second, reminiscences of my first assembly with him in 1982 got here again to me.  He hadn’t modified a bit.  In fact the Catholic church would need this gentleman to develop into a Bishop.  In fact he would develop into a prelate, ordained to the episcopacy in 2018 to serve the Archdiocese of Atlanta, GA.  What higher instance to others than this trainer and man of God.  How blessed I used to be that he took the time to go to with me for nicely over an hour.    

Joel Matthias Konzen was born in Oak Harbor, OH, a small city east of Toledo.  He’s the youthful of two brothers.  His father was a pharmacist, whose first spouse had died of most cancers.  That they had had no youngsters.  His father was fifty, and his mom was forty-one when Joel was born.  His mom was a trainer till her two sons had been born after which substituted every so often. 

Bishop Konzen recollects strolling to the chalk board to resolve a math downside in his elementary faculty.  “I used to be tripped on my method again to my desk for developing with the proper reply.”  He knew, even at that younger age, that training mattered and that he needed to be amongst like-minded college students moderately than those that would poke enjoyable at him.  Regardless of the occasional ribbing he acquired for merely being an attentive scholar, he had largely good experiences in his public elementary faculty.  Moreover, his mom all the time made instructing appear each necessary and pleasant.  Being Catholic mattered to him as nicely.  He liked the Saturday morning catechism courses taught by Catholic sisters.  He recollects saying to his native pastor on the finish of his eighth-grade yr that he thought he’d wish to be a priest.  He actually had the credentials.  That mixed together with his robust curiosity led the pastor and his household to assist him attend Pontifical Faculty Josephinum in Columbus, OH, throughout his highschool years.  He graduated in 1968.

Since he had a selected curiosity in literature, Bishop Konzen earned a BA diploma in English from St. Meinrad Faculty in Saint Meinrad, IN, in 1972.  He then professed his spiritual vows with the Society of Mary in Washington, DC, in 1975.  This spiritual order, also referred to as Marist Fathers, had a historical past of involvement in training, which appealed to him.  His first instructing place was at St. Peter Chanel Excessive Faculty in Bedford, OH, the place he gave instruction in English and Theology in 1976-1977.  He, being unfamiliar with the wordless sound of flesh hanging flesh, recollects the harrowing second of listening to two of his college students start to duke it out whereas he was writing on the blackboard.  He credit that yr with being a radical preparation for his later time in class administration as he was anticipated to show six courses, run the bookstore, and chauffeur an aged spiritual brother when he wanted to go someplace.  

Bishop Konzen then returned to DC to earn his MA in Systemic Theology from The Catholic College of America in 1978.  The next yr, he earned his Grasp of Divinity at Notre Dame Faculty of Theology in New Orleans, LA, and was ordained to the priesthood.  He additionally served as Chaplain within the Orleans Parish Jail in New Orleans, Deacon at St. Andrew the Apostle Parish in New Orleans, and Affiliate Pastor at St. Edmond Parish in Lafayette, LA.  In 1980, he accepted a place at Marist Faculty as Director of Admissions & Monetary Assist.  He was excited that his new place gave him an opportunity to show English and Theology once more.  Directors, college and college students admired his enthusiasm and caring methods.  Quickly, he was requested if he would put together to serve the Faculty as Headmaster.  

Loving the thought of being the chief of a group of educators, Bishop Konzen had nonetheless not thought of all elements of his tasks.  “Rusty Frank, president of the Mid-South Affiliation of Impartial Faculties, requested me what my standards and plan could be for bringing on new academics.  I had by no means considered that side of the job.”  When he accepted the place as Principal of Marist Faculty in 1982, I used to be amongst his first hires.  Maybe I’ve a specific amount of early naivety to thank for his choice to rent me, however I’d wish to assume he noticed in me a fellow caring one who additionally liked instructing English. I used to be at Marist for under three years, and Bishop Konzen employed many academics in his twenty-eight years as Principal, but he does recall that neither college students nor dad and mom complained about my instructing or teaching, and that I used to be prepared to do all that was requested of me.  “That went a good distance in incomes my respect in these days.  It nonetheless does.”  Father Konzen would develop to like the hunt for brand spanking new college and employees, and he’s proud that he made respectable selections a lot of the time.   

As Principal, Bishop Konzen was eager to implement the foundations, which didn’t all the time sit nicely with the senior class that first yr.  “Sure, there was push again that yr, however the college students quickly got here to know that the foundations weren’t unfair and served to make them higher individuals.”  It helped that he was additionally nonetheless a classroom trainer that yr so the scholars knew he was on their aspect.  Every time potential, he would educate English, Theology or Management Research all through his profession as a result of he seen instructing as a good way to get to know college students and to be “within the trenches” with college.  “I used to be all the time cognizant of what an excellent highschool training did for me, so far as getting me very nicely ready for greater examine, and I used to be energized by having the ability to do the identical for the younger individuals in my courses and within the faculties the place I used to be an administrator.”  Instructing additionally helped him maintain his finger on the heart beat of the Faculty.  “Academics have to resolve issues on the fly.  That helped me in my administrative place.”  

Educators don’t cease studying after we’ve earned our levels.  In reality, many educators will admit that their most necessary classes are discovered after they start instructing.  Bishop Konzen was no exception.  Coming to know studying variations and the way they impacted his college students’ progress and success had a particular affect on his strategy to instructing.  Likewise, coming to see how planting the occasional recreation or little bit of enjoyable right into a course helped him present levity and incentive to his college students.  “I additionally attended as lots of their actions outdoors the classroom as potential.  I made a degree of complimenting them on their performances in drama or music productions and athletic contests.”  He seen how college students’ participation in school picked up after such conversations.  It’s due to this fact no shock that almost all of his college students would describe him as purpose-driven, occupied with their accomplishments outdoors the classroom in addition to their progress within the classroom, and all the time out there to them. 

In 1988, Bishop Konzen skilled a major problem.  The Marist Province (Fathers) determined to create a three-person management mannequin.  That’s, he and two others would function co-Principals of the Faculty.  Bishop Konzen assumed they might have equal enter and say-so in all selections.  “That’s not the way it went.  The opposite two usually opposed my considering, which put me in a really uncomfortable place.”  He determined he would depart Marist.  From 1989 to 1991, he pursued and earned his MA in Instructional Administration at The Catholic College of America in DC throughout which era he additionally served as Vicar Provincial for the Washington Province.  Figuring out his coronary heart was nonetheless in training, he accepted a place as Principal of St. Michael’s Catholic Academy in Austin, TX, from 1992 to 1997, after which he returned to DC to as soon as once more function Vicar Provincial.  

Bishop Konzen knew earlier than leaving Marist Faculty in 1989 that it was the place he had valued probably the most in his profession.  He believed in its mission and loved the college, employees and college students.  He merely had discovered himself in an untenable place. He had handled different unsavory conditions by praying for acceptance or a change in his personal angle.  He had up to now been capable of share duty with trusted associates in administration, which had made his personal funding and/or fear a bit lighter.  However the three-person management mannequin had merely confirmed past what he might settle for.   

 In 1999, he was introduced with the chance to as soon as once more be Principal at Marist.  This time, he wouldn’t be a part of a three-person management group and would reply on to the President. He was thrilled with this association, however his first months again had been nonetheless awkward at occasions.  The earlier Headmaster, a layman, had employed a sure portion of the college, who had been surprised at his departure and considerably reluctant to make the change to new management.  He persevered, although, due to his personal supporters and since he liked Marist sufficient to not go away below that kind of strain.  He served Marist Faculty as Principal for eighteen years in his second stint.  By 2018, he had benefited secondary training for thirty-four years.

Solely a exceptional request that yr would draw Bishop Konzen away from Marist, and he accepted that supply understanding it will imply separating from the college he liked.  “I used to be surprised after I was requested to develop into Auxiliary Bishop, Vicar Common and Moderator of the Curia for the Archdiocese of Atlanta.”  There’s that humility once more.  He earned that place after years of unselfish service to others in varied church buildings and faculties.  He led with the identical love and calm power I got here to know from 1982 to 1985.   

Bishop Konzen’s take care of the world of training has prolonged far and extensive.  He’s comfortable that he may very well be a part of getting the tuition-free Attain for Excellence Program at Marist off the bottom within the early 2000’s.  Additionally of explicit notice was his involvement within the formation of two different Catholic faculties in Georgia.  He was first instrumental within the formation of Notre Dame Academy in Duluth, GA, in 2005.  He then performed a major function within the formation of the Cristo Rey Atlanta Jesuit Excessive Faculty in 2007.  In 2015, he was capable of direct a lot of the required funding towards making the charitable Pope Francis/Bishop Konzen Faculty and Well being Complicated in Ghana, West Africa, a actuality.  He wouldn’t need it to be recognized essentially that he, rightfully so, has earned recognition for his service.  This started in 1987 with Principal’s recognition from the US Division of Schooling’s Exemplary Secondary Faculties Awards Program.  In 1989, he was named “Man of the 12 months” by the Notre Dame Membership of Atlanta.  He then acquired the Excellence in Schooling Award in 2015 from the Nationwide Catholic Instructional Affiliation.    

As Bishop Konzen thought of whom he’d go to on his personal gratitude tour, many educators at each stage got here to thoughts, academics who had a profound affect on him by making the occupation appear bountiful and engaging.  Although he probably stated thanks on the time, he’d leap on the probability to as soon as once more present his gratitude for second-grade trainer Mrs. Mary Epling, his center faculty faith trainer Sister Mary Patricia Schnapp, his highschool English trainer Monsignor Leonard Fick, his faculty English trainer Father Mel Patton, and his faculty French trainer Sister Mary Alice Lawhead.  “They had been spectacular each by advantage of what they knew and communicated but in addition due to their relatability.” 

Bishop Konzen considers himself fairly lucky that he has been capable of fulfill his calling to the Society of Mary and likewise discover pleasure in instructing.  “I by no means wavered in my dedication to the priesthood, and I used to be happy that I might mix that with work in training, which all the time appeared to be the place I’d be only as a priest.” He admits that he felt the burden of his personal generally defective expectations in his first yr of instructing.  In his second and third years, these expectations morphed into far more manageable targets and strategies.  Making the acquaintance and, usually, friendship of different educators helped him see that what he was doing was a real occupation with requirements, goal and returns.  “Maintaining with former college students and seeing their successes additionally invigorated me yr after yr and amplified my core dedication to the occupation.”  To academics new to the occupation, Bishop Konzen advises to not be picky.  As a substitute, take the experiences which are assigned and study from them.  Maintaining a report of likes and dislikes will permit younger academics to mirror on what has been significant and intriguing.  Figuring out oneself and being true to that self additionally issues.  “Being conscious of what you actually are about and what you actually hope to share with college students will provide help to discover success and pleasure within the classroom.”  

He acknowledges that educators in the present day face challenges that previous generations of academics didn’t face.  The query of private vs. digital instruction looms giant.  I share his concern, however he speaks much more eloquently about it.  “Digital instruction emphasizes the mechanical character of exchanges however misses the high-quality factors of social interplay, the very traits that may develop into more and more necessary in later settings.  Additionally, the abbreviated speech and amputated narration that has develop into widespread and even normalized by social media doesn’t sufficiently put together younger individuals to make a positive impression or to know the way to reply to a wide range of communication prompts.”  He believes, too, that academics have to mild a hearth below college students relating to the quantity of studying that they’re (not) doing.  In brief, expertise poses a problem to the cautious and thorough training that undergirds future accomplishment.

As my go to with Bishop Konzen got here to an finish, I felt grateful for him not solely due to his affect on me and training generally however as a result of he has been a non secular chief of impeccable character.  He has lived a Godly life through which he has humbly served others, particularly younger individuals by way of training, below the identify of Mary.  That afternoon as I sat throughout from him in his Archdiocese workplace, he was as approachable and beneficiant as ever.  He is a wonderful function mannequin for us all.