Epiphany -September 24, 2022
‘I bud forth delights like the vine,/ blossoms become fruit fair and rich.’ Sir 24:17
Vanessa starts the program with a monologue. National Youth Motivational Speaker, Kevin ‘Mr. Peace’ shares all the positive things with his apostolate and talks about the confusion in the world and he approaches it. Award winning teacher Kathy Gross-Jacek spent 25 years in the classroom at Loyola. She’ll share why Catholic education is so important.
Kevin ‘Mr. Peace’ Szawala
Kevin Szawala (aka ‘Mr. Peace’) is a National Youth Motivational & Anti-Bullying Speaker, Hip-Hop Artist & Spoken Word Poet from Metro Detroit, who travels the country to schools, churches, colleges & youth clubs spreading a passionate message of peace, love, equality, tolerance, kindness & understanding.
Kathy Gross-Jacek
Currently adjunct professor at the University of Detroit Mercy and retired teacher of 25 years at Loyola High School in Detroit. I am the RCIA Director for St. Mary’s of Wayne, a Volunteer coach with Special Olympics Michigan, and Board Member for Blue Star Mothers of Michigan. I have one daughter RitaMarie, and 4 beautiful grandchildren. I am married to David Jacek and enjoy quilting, hiking, and anything out-of-doors.
I recently was awarded the Grand Prize Winner from the Henry Ford for the Most Innovative Teacher of the Year, received the Carol McNish Award of Service from the McNish Foundation, the Ann Riley Heart of a Servant Award from Loyola High School, Amazing Catholic Educator Award 2019, League Michigan Teacher of the Year, Rare Everyday Hero Award, Coach of the Year Award for the Detroit Urban Debate League, among others.
I have received numerous grants for service and providing supportive programs at the University and High School levels and produced a film, Never Alone in Detroit depicting African American women raising young men alone in Detroit from a grant I received from the Michigan Humanities Council.
I received my Bachelor’s Degree from MSU and Masters Degree from UDM.
My greatest joy is doing something each day to make life better for another person.