“Children have such beautiful faith. They believe so deeply with no limitations.”

“There is a joy in children’s eyes when they finally understand something. Seeing that is one of the greatest things about being a teacher.”

Those are the words of experience.

Those are the words of Sister Julie Gatza SC and Sister Pat Wlock SC, principal and teacher, respectively, at St. James School in Bay City.

These two women, who recently celebrated their 50th anniversary as religious Sisters of Charity, have been teaching the children at St. James School for around four decades each. They have seen many of the children of former students graduate.

It can easily be said that, “to teach is to learn” and these two teachers admit they have learned much from the small charges in their care. And the main lesson is an uncomplicated faith.

Next to a prayer posted in every classroom, recited to begin and end each school day, is a sign that proclaims: “Be it known to all who enter here that Christ is the reason for this school. He is the unseen, but ever present, teacher in its classes. He is the model of its faculty and the inspiration of its students.”

“That is a simple fact to them,” Sister Julie said. “They don’t complicate it like we adults do.”

For example, Sister Julie has a self-proclaimed habit of “misplacing” things. When her students find out that she has lost yet another important item, they remind her to “Ask that guy. He’ll fi nd it for you.” (They are, of course, referring to St. Anthony, the patron of lost things.)

The sisters also have witnessed the depth of concern children have for other people. When asked for petitions, they do not limit them to their own needs, but offer up prayers for others.

“I realize how compassionate little children are – how they always rev up for the underdog and are considerate when someone is hurting,” Sister Julie said. “Adults more often don’t take time for it or they don’t want to get involved. Children do. They want someone to know when someone is hurting or when someone has done something good.”

Children’s genuine enthusiasm for learning also is something that has helped these women continue their ministry for so long. “That’s one of the greatest joys,” Sister Julie said. “It’s like a miracle when first graders realize they can read.”

Sister Pat has taught every grade from fi rst through eighth. Because fifth grade was her favorite as a student, it is her favorite as a teacher, as well. For only one year, she taught fi rst-graders. She is fond of remembering one young girl who started the year unable to read, but in October asked to read to the class from her book.

“I was surprised at what you can do for those little kids,” she said.

And help them she has, especially when it comes to understanding English grammar. Many former students thank her for being so strict with them. More than one has proudly demonstrated that they can still recite their prepositions after many years. And teachers at Bay City’s All Saints Central High School have told her that they know which of their students were in her class by their firm grasp of grammar.

During a recent tour of the school, the children in one classroom nearly bowled over Sister Julie, making sure they all gave hugs to their principal. They show her how much they love her. That is a common encounter.

Both sisters credit the love of the students and their parents and the blessings of God for a history of excellence at one of the diocese’s oldest schools.

In 1873, the Sisters of Charity founded St. James School, offering grades one through 12. (Had St. James not been consolidated with other Bay City Catholic high schools into All Saints Central in 1968, it is said it would be the oldest co-ed parochial high school in the country.)

In 1957, two local girls graduated from St. James High School, traveled to Cincinnati and joined the religious order of the Sisters of Charity. They made their final vows in 1964. By 1966, Sister Julie had returned to Bay City and began teaching at her alma mater. She taught first grade before she became the principal six years ago.

And in 1971, Sister Pat found her way back and has taught there ever since.

Both women will say, without doubt, that their vocation is a calling from God.

“When I was in the sixth grade, I wanted to be a sister so terribly,” remembered Sister Julie. “I told my mother and she said, ‘I will pray that that’s what God wants you to do when you get bigger.’ In seventh, eight, ninth, 10th grade, I didn’t even think about it. In 11th and 12th grade, it really zeroed in and came back.”

She credits being taught by Sisters of Charity as part of the incentive to become one of them.

“I admired them, “she said. “I wanted to be like them. They were wonderful models.”

Sister Pat, on the other hand, remembers that her call was not as clear. “I didn’t want to be a sister,” she said.

“I thought of it, but I didn’t want to do it. I kept waking up in the middle of the night with this on my mind. I thought, ‘I have to do this if I want to get any rest!’ It was really a calling because it wasn’t something I decided on my own to do. It came to me. As you go along, day by day, it unfolds and you get to know it better.”

Sister Julie agreed, “It’s an unfolding gift; A gift that never ends.”

As for their careers as teachers, Sister Pat explained, “I didn’t think about being a teacher. I really just wanted to serve the Lord. I never gave a thought how I was going to do it. I just went. (Our superiors) told us what they wanted us to do.”

That direction has helped Sister Julie and Sister Pat impact the lives of a multitude of children during the past 40-plus years.

In 2007, the St. James Parish community came together for a golden jubilee celebration for the Sisters of Charity, with a special Mass and reception. During the celebration, Father Robert De- Land, pastor at St. James Parish, invited everyone who had been taught by Sister Julie or Sister Pat to come forward. Nearly half the church rose, filling the sanctuaryand the front aisle with former students who have been blessed by the two teachers.

“We were touched by the reality of seeing so many lives we had touched and that they were there to celebrate with us,” Sister Julie said. “How affirming! God is good!”

The children they have taught also have witnessed an important lesson to their religious mentors: plain and simply, it is the faith that Jesus described when he said, “Whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child will not enter it at all.” (Mark 10:15).

“That’s the biggest impact the children have had on me,” Sister Julie said. “They have deepened my faith whenever I have been allowed to be with them.”