The Compass

Schaefer notes biblical significance as she retires after 40 years as Catholic school educator

HILBERT — The number 40 is significant in the Bible and it is significant for Nancy Schaefer as well. At the end of this semester, Schaefer will have logged 40 years of teaching in the Catholic school system.

"That's one thing I always express to the kids — 40, 40, 40 in the Bible. It dawned on me, 'Is this some connection, Lord?' Forty years teaching, (Jesus spent) 40 days in the desert, it was 40 years Moses wandered in the desert, there's 40 days in Lent and 40 days until the Ascension. 'You emphasize 40 all the time and now I'm emphasizing 40 years to you.'"