By CPS (St. Cecilia) Healthy Courier reporters | Sister Alicia M. Perna, principal of St. Cecilia School, says that showing empathy is a big part of her daily job.
“My definition of empathy is thinking and understanding with your heart and head. Empathy allows you to have a clear view of another person’s feelings and actions,” said Sister Alicia. “I must be empathetic on a daily basis. My job is to make sure that the students are learning, safe, and fully understood.
“I must also be empathetic to my staff and parents. As a leader, I set an example of showing empathy. If I did not display empathy daily, this school
probably wouldn’t be a happy place.”
According to Harvard University’s Making Common Caring Project, empathy is a key part of being a responsible and helpful community member at school and elsewhere. Showing empathy can reduce bullying, increase academic success, build communication skills, and build more positive connections with people.
Volunteering is one way to connect with other people and show empathy toward others.
Sister Alicia shared her thoughts about the importance of empathy in an interview with Healthy Courier reporters.
“When you are being empathetic, you are also Christ-like,” said Sister Alicia. “The best strategy for showing empathy is to first listen to what someone is saying. Do not interrupt when someone is sharing how they feel. Make sure the individual has your full attention. Do your best to understand how the other person is feeling and put yourself in their shoes.”
Sister Alicia says she can tell when someone has benefited from a show of empathy “when they come to me with a problem or are very sad, and they leave our conversation with a smile and feeling like they have been truly heard and understood.”
“The best advice I would give to others who are trying to show empathy is to never give up on trying to be empathetic,” Sister Alicia said. “Always put yourself in another person’s place. And simply treat people the way you want to be treated.”
The principal congratulated the reporters for writing about the topic. “I am happy to see that you are researching and reporting on the topic of empathy. We are living in a time where we all would benefit from showing and receiving empathy more than ever before,” she said.
Illustration by Christian, 5th grade, St. Cecilia, 2025-2026.
