Dr. Bischoff Strives to Make Religion Meaningful
From Traditions Winter 2023-24 issue
June 12, 2024
Claire Roscher Bischoff ’97 is a Religion Teacher at CDH since 2022. After graduating from CDH, she majored in religion at St. Olaf, and completed her Masters in Religion at Luther Seminary and her PhD in Religion at Emory University. She then taught theology at St. Catherine University in both the undergraduate and graduate programs for 10 years before coming back to CDH. She is a proud mom to Will (15), Henry (13) and Bridget (9).
Why did you become an educator?
I had really great experiences with religion teachers in high school that led me to want to be an educator. Mr. Gleich, who is now my colleague in Campus Ministry, invited me to go on an Urban Plunge. We served lunch at a soup kitchen and got to talk with residents of a halfway house. This experience opened my eyes to issues that I had previously been blind to, such as homelessness and addiction.
In my Christian Scripture class, Mr. Watkins challenged me to approach the Bible in an academic way. He helped me to see that religion was more than piety, that it was something that could be studied and thought about deeply. Because of this, studying religion became my focus in college and beyond.
When I took Prayer and Spirituality, I learned that prayer is not just going to Mass and repeating the words of memorized prayers. One of my favorite parts of teaching is introducing people to new prayer practices, like praying with icons or doing silent meditation.
The Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet have figured prominently in your life story. What inspires you about their mission?
When you learn about the history of the Sisters, you see how they have always shown up to help those who need it most — from women lacking in education to immigrants to the Twin Cities. Additionally, I think it is important that they say we are to love the dear neighbor. Not a neighbor we tolerate, but a neighbor who is dear to us because we can see God in the neighbor.
How do you make the teaching of religion meaningful to students?
I start by working with the students to create a community of learning in the classroom; we need to know each other. I have discovered students feel more comfortable discussing class content and going deeper with each other if they do.
Equally as important is inviting students into experiences of the sacred. Religion is so much more than knowing certain things with our brains. Religion has been a part of human lives for all of our history because it can help us to be more connected to ourselves, to others, to the world around us, and to God. I spend time in my classes introducing students to spiritual practices that can lead to these sorts of connections. For example, students learn to focus on their breathing, to do a meditative reading practice called lectio divina (Latin for sacred reading), and to look for the holy in the natural world. My hope is that in this variety of spiritual practices, students can find ways that work for them or perhaps to identify other spiritual parts of their daily lives.
What do you wish adults knew about high school kids?
High school students are more spiritual than most people assume. When we start talking about faith in class as a person’s orientation toward themselves, other people, the world around them, and the sacred, I get these amazing glimpses into the ways that high school students live their faith day to day. And they have the most amazing questions to ask about faith, religion, spirituality, theology! We do our young people such a great service by inviting their questions. St. Anselm famously described theology as faith seeking understanding. It is part of our human nature to ask questions, to want to know more, to ponder. It is also an important part of our development as people of faith.
What inspires you about CDH students today?
I am inspired by the sheer variety of passions our students have and their willingness to share their stories and find ways to invite others into their passions. Last year, I taught a champion skeet shooter, an accomplished ceramicist, two students who had started their own non-profits… the list goes on and on.
I am continually inspired by the way our students show up for each other and support each other. The way our community pulled together after a student’s tragic death last year took my breath away. To see students reaching out to offer hugs and words of comfort to each other, sometimes to people they didn’t even know… it was a remarkable display of their depth of compassion and love.
What other ways are you connected to the students and adults on campus?
I am a faculty advisor for “Letters of Love,” a national non-profit through which students make cards for kids who are in children’s hospitals around the world. I was approached by two students who wanted to start the club. I was pleased to help out, because this is an excellent way for our students to do small acts of service on a regular basis, to reach out in love to kids they do not know. And, as my students will tell you, I am always looking for an excuse to break out my classroom boxes of markers and colored pencils.
This year I have also started Meditation Mondays. During flex on Mondays, students, faculty, and staff can come to the chapel to learn various forms of prayer, meditation, and contemplation. The practices we use are very inclusive and work for all students, no matter where they are on their spiritual journey.
FUN FAST FACTS
HOT OR ICED COFFEE?
Somehow, I still don’t like coffee! I prefer hot or cold iced tea. Or Diet Pepsi!
BEACH OR POOL?
Beach. I am not a great swimmer, but I love to stand in the shallow water and look out at the expanse of the water.
TARGET OR AMAZON?
Both! I grew up in Minnesota, so I am a loyal Target shopper. But it is so handy to buy things on Amazon.
WHAT DO YOU DO FOR FUN WHEN YOU ARE NOT TEACHING?
I love going on adventures around the Twin Cities with my kids. I love hiking, and I have a goal to visit all of the National Parks. I have been to nine so far. I enjoy going for walks or meeting up for coffee with friends. I have recently taken up watercoloring, and I always love reading, preferably contemporary fiction and mysteries.
FAVORITE PRAYER OR SPIRITUAL SAYING? “All will be well.” Julian of Norwich, a medieval English mystic who lived through the Black Plague, so I trust her when she says that all will be well.