Louisiana teacher brings music to St. Ferdinand
By Hilary Anderson
Contributor
St. Ferdinand principal Lucine Mastalerz needed a part-time music teacher. Her search led unexpectedly to Susan Wieneke, a teacher in the New Orleans Catholic school system for 25 years, who ended up in the Chicago area after the hurricane.
Wieneke said had gone to an outlying area when the hurricane was forecast, but when it became apparent residents would not be returning immediately to New Orleans, she joined her daughter in north suburban Wilmette.
Her Christ the King school is located in Terrytown on the west bank of the Mississippi River, which covers part of Orleans and Jefferson parishes. “This is not the first hurricane we’ve lived through,” said Wieneke. “We thought we’d go back in a few days as with previous hurricanes. It was scary when we found out we couldn’t.”
The match between Wieneke and St. Ferdinand looked as though it was meant to be.
The principal learned of the teacher’s availability through the archdiocesan Office of Catholic Schools. “I interviewed Wieneke on Saturday and she joined our school staff the following Tuesday,” said Matalerz. “I was so ecstatic, but we needed a way for her to get to our Chicago school. She had no transportation; her car was back in Louisiana.”
Mastalerz enlisted the help of another St. Ferdinand teacher, Joseph Hull, who lives in Highland Park but agreed to go out of his way and drive her in the morning, she said. But because Hull was unable to make the return trip, Mastalerz found another volunteer.
“It was so nice of them to help Susan,” said Mastalerz.
Wieneke’s tenure at St. Ferdinand might be shorter than its school family would like, though.
The New Orleans Archdiocese has kept in touch with teachers and parents via its website and e-mail and Wieneke learned her school was lucky. “It did not flood but there’s considerable damage. We’ve been asked to return and help in the cleanup.”
We hope we can keep Susan for a while yet but we’ll keep in touch regardless of how short or long a time she’s here. The kids think she’s really cool. This past week she did liturgical gospel songs New Orleans jazz style. The kids loved it. She’s wonderful, absolutely wonderful.”
For Wieneke, the feeling is mutual.
“I was so impressed by the welcome St. Ferdinand’s gave me,” she said. “My routine was all off and to be able to teach meant a lot to me. I am so grateful.”
“Add the caring of friends and you’ll have everything. Forever etched in my heart will be the concern and help of St. Ferdinand’s teachers, parents and students, especially one little boy who pulled out a paper bag of pennies and said, ‘Here, this is for you!’”