Q&A with Fr. Fred Mayovsky, S.J. — Celebrating 60 Years as a Jesuit

I wanted to serve God by serving the Church.  I had an uncle who became a Priest in Seattle. Everyone admired and respected him and his efforts. I wanted that type of admiration and respect. I wanted to work in the World. The Jesuits did that. I wanted to work in Alaska. The Jesuits did that. I had sights and goals outside of the Seattle area.

In the novitiate, we were introduced to Jesuits from all walks of life – educators, missionaries, scientists, and S.J. bishops. We went to Seattle from Oregon to meet the Jesuit Superior General – How great was that! We were taught how to pray and maintain our ambitions and be open to new thoughts and goals – to be open to where God wants to lead us. Every young Jesuit I met began with a specific goal or ambition, but our goals changed to go where God was calling us (through the guidance of our Superiors).

A good friend of my parents, as they were growing up together, was a young Bill Armstrong.  Mom and dad married, but young Bill joined the Jesuits. When I was about 13, my family met the now Fr. Bill Armstrong, S.J., at a wedding he performed. My parents invited him into our home of four kids. I had heard the Holy Names Sisters at the Immaculate Conception School in Seattle speak of the Jesuits. Now, I had met my first Jesuit Priest! A real live Legend! That was a growing influence on me as I went through high school at O’Dea. 

My Jesuit journey took me through two years of Jesuit Novitiate, four years at Gonzaga University in Spokane, and f15 years being assigned to Zambia, Africa. Those 15years included four years of Theology in Berkeley, California, and then being ordained a Priest.

The teaching and parish work I did in Zambia set my heart for the work I have been doing here at Bellarmine. I taught the same math there as I taught here. The parish and people skills I developed returned to the United States with me. My love for the people of God is a universal experience.

I was really drawn to the computer work of Cam Brown (former Bellarmine faculty member). I loved how open the administration was to my teaching style, and I was so well supported by the parents. They loved that I would leave no student in the dust and call the students in the evening. The students got along with my sense of humor and repetition.

During my 40 years at Bellarmine, I have seen a significant change. We have grown from being merely interested in the academic/educational side of all at Bellarmine to emphasizing the spiritual growth of all here – students, faculty and staff. All the employees really care about each other and what is happening in the classroom. Safety is not merely a legal obligation but a heartfelt experience for the whole person and the entire campus.

As a Jesuit Priest, I'm more and more conscious of attitudes and language being used between individuals and in groups.  Respect is something that is truly practiced. Parents even notice this respect when the students are at home.  And the spirituality that the students see among their colleagues and teachers goes home with them. I hear this from the parents.  Hopefully, these respectful attitudes are ingrained in the students even after graduation.

Reflections on Jesuit Education

In your view, what makes Jesuit education distinct or powerful in today’s world?

The “person for others” philosophy is core to the Jesuit value system. It helps us develop students and staff who are “persons for others.”  We care for others.  It is in our Bellarmine DNA.

My hope for the future of Bellarmine is a continued growth in the spirituality of our students, regardless of their professed religious beliefs. As the beliefs of Bellarmine are instilled in them, their families of today or tomorrow will hold the same values. With these values, they will be making our world a better place.

Seeing that growth (academic and spiritual) that I have imparted on the people of Bellarmine has made my life and my efforts worthwhile. And my advice to all of Bellarmine: follow your heart and do what you know to be true and just.