While Benilde-St. Margaret’s has evolved over the last fifty years, there remains a constant for those who identify as Red Knights – the heart of BSM beats strongly in the person of Mike Jeremiah. As campus minister – and so much more - he exemplifies the value of a face-to-face conversation, a kind word, a laugh, and the importance of compassion. Jeremiah lives what he preaches, treating all with the same respect, and encouraging them to do likewise with one another.

In 1975, Mike Jeremiah began working at Benilde-St. Margaret’s School in Minneapolis, MN. Barely a year had passed since the merger of the all-girls St. Margaret’s Academy and the all-boys Benilde High School to form Benilde-St. Margaret’s Catholic school. There was an opening in the theology department and the administration was looking for someone who could help build a foundation of community between the students in grades 10-12 who were still getting to know one another in grades. 

Now in his 49th year as campus minister at BSM, Mr. J, as he is lovingly called by students, remains actively engaged in building community for the school. He leads prayers before games for over 50 athletic teams, plans liturgical services with school staff and local clergy, is involved with the theology department program, helps with retreats and peer ministry programs, and avidly attends plays, concerts, and games of his beloved Red Knights. It’s a busy lifestyle, but for Mike Jeremiah, it’s always about the students.

In a school that feels like a family, Jeremiah is beloved by students from junior high to high school because he knows practically all of them by name. He meets them wherever they are in life and interacts always with compassion. He knows a lot of their parents because many are alums who remember their own time as students with Mr. J. There are even some alums who now return as grandparents, making the connections with Jeremiah even stronger. Regardless of whether it’s faculty or students, one of the thousands of BSM alums, or simply friends of the school, Mike Jeremiah is known for his caring and compassionate approach over nearly five decades at Benilde-St. Margaret’s. 

For Jason Beste, MD, MPH, a member of the Class of 1999, Mike J impacted the career path he chose and now thrives in on a global scale. “Mike J was an example of contemplation in action, he taught me how to be driven and value the importance of making positive changes in the world," Beste explained, noting that Mike J deeply affected his perspective on life, influencing his decision to convince his service as a physician with social justice opportunities in Liberia, Mozambique, Malawi and in Ukraine, prior to the Russian invasion in February 2022.

“I always left the retreats finding myself closer to Jesus and seeing the parts of Jesus in each and every one of my classmates."
- Joanie Sauer '88

Beste, who is currently the executive director of the Arrupe Global Scholars and Partnerships Program is also an associate professor at Creighton University School of Medicine in Phoenix, AZ, developing and directing global health programs at Creighton and previously worked at the Division of Global Health Equity at Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School with Partners in Health (pih.org) to improve health care globally, exploring ways to effectively rebuild health systems after crises and war. 

Mike Jeremiah grew up in Illinois, venturing to Minnesota after high school to complete his undergraduate studies and a master’s at the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul, MN. Yet it was at Benilde-St. Margaret’s that Jeremiah discovered his true calling. Whether in the classroom or the chapel, Jeremiah understands the importance of being present for students when they need someone to listen. 

Joanie Sauer ’88 did not have a real connection to her faith as a high schooler. Like many teens she rebelled against her faith, yet she says the most meaningful, faith-filled, community building moments came at those retreats led by Mike Jeremiah. “I always left the retreats finding myself closer to Jesus and seeing the parts of Jesus in each and every one of my classmates."

In 2003, when her brother was in an accident resulting in a traumatic brain injury, Mike Jeremiah was at the hospital before even Joanie. “His prayer that he offered was something along the lines of...'We are giving Joe to you God, we pray that Joe will come back to us as "Joe", if Joe's light is pulling him to YOU, we will accept your will and find comfort that Joe is with you.' To this day my brother's neurologist reminds Joe that he should be dead - his survival and the fact that he is still "Joe" is an absolute miracle.”

Mike J enjoys writing and sharing his thoughts in a series of blog entries that have become timeless glimpses into the mindset of a man who has dedicated his life to service for students. His musings on the school website include personal experiences and reflections that have made an impact on his life and journey as an educator. Sharing his thoughts and experiences as potential inspiration for others allows Mike to bring people together who might be experiencing the same doubts, challenges, or struggles in life. For Mike J, a kind word goes far in expressing compassion and encouragement in faith.

When someone asks Mr. J if he has plans for retirement, he jokes that he hasn’t decided if he wants to do this job full-time. Of course, the real answer is that Jeremiah doesn’t view his role as a job, but as a vocation in service to others. His commitment goes beyond a 40-hour work week, meeting with students, tending to the chapel, catching up with an alum who reaches out to chat, planning special events, or simply greeting students in the hall throughout the school day.

Greg Dukinfield, another member of the BSM Class of 1999, said his experiences with Mike Jeremiah made it an easy decision when his son was old enough to enroll at BSM. "Mike J was always the person anyone could go talk to at school. He would always make time and go out of his way to care for the students, ensuring our needs were met, supporting in whatever way possible and finding connections for us. For better or worse, he would even put classes on hold to help whomever was in need."

Greg's wife, Maggie, was recently diagnosed with a brain tumor. Mike J was one of the first people he called for support. "After family, it was Mike J. I spent time with him at retreats during high school. My wife and I volunteered with him at retreats during college, and Mike was a reader at our wedding. He has been a meaningful part of our lives for many years, providing support and compassion for every member of our family."

While Maggie is in remission, Mike J has been with the Dukinfields every step of the way because he cares for our students and makes time to stay connected with alums, giving of his time and self. When Mike J celebrated his 75th birthday in May, he was surrounded by students, faculty & staff who each had their story about him, knowing that Mike leads by example, showing us the value of a kind word, a smile, and being there for one another.

"Mike makes students feel seen and heard and valued."
- Megan Kern ’88

The friendships he encourages among students are lived out in various ways throughout the school year, most poignantly on the seniors’ last day of school each year. Surrounded by the graduating class in what looks like a mosh pit after Mass, Jeremiah sings an a cappella rendition of Michael W Smith’s “Friends Forever” that brings the entire school to tears. Though it may be their last day of classes together at BSM, the soon-to-be-graduates understand and have learned from Mr. J that they are forever bonded by their shared experiences as classmates, teammates, performers, peer ministers, or simply as friends because once a Red Knight, always a Red Knight. 

In honor of this year’s 50th anniversary of Benilde-St. Margaret’s School, a commemorative anthology of the prayers Jeremiah has written through the years was published. He included one written especially for the school’s golden anniversary. It reminds the community to be grateful for those who came before and to remember the shared responsibility for the future. The book is cherished by current and past students because it reminds them of Jeremiah’s spirit of compassion and willingness to see the good in everyone. 

The prayers – curated from the hundreds written by Jeremiah through his tenure at BSM have found their way into Mass, the morning announcements, special occasions, state tournaments, or quiet devotion, offered in thanks to God – while giving a glimpse into the heart and soul of a man who has dedicated nearly fifty years of his life to the care and nurturing of students. He lives simply, but loves generously, inspiring others to join him in being present for students ensuring they have a meaningful experience.

"As a student I took Mike's Peer Ministry class,” said Megan Kern ’88 and current history teacher at BSM. “I remember Mike giving us a lot of leeway and responsibility to plan Masses. We counted the Eucharist, chose songs and readings, came up with creative ways to engage the rest of the students and I specifically remember discussions where we'd go back and forth arguing about the procession or which stole the priest would wear.

"For my kids, he was no longer teaching in a formal classroom, but his lessons of thoughtfulness and kindness were always evident. He gave us a Willow Tree figure holding a cat when ours died, he asked Dave, Emily, and me to bring up gifts or do readings at Mass, he was and is always nice to them - in the halls, out at games, when he does prayer with teams. It's been said, about the teaching profession, that students may not remember what we teach in our content, but they'll forever remember how we made them feel. Mike makes students feel seen and heard and valued."

As Jeremiah moves closer to his own golden anniversary at BSM, he remembers those who have graduated, retired, or passed. He does so with the same joy that he shares with current students and teachers. Mike wants to ensure they feel connected to the community and to one another. He believes wholeheartedly in ensuring others do not feel alone in making the journey through life.

Jeremiah reminds students that guests are part of the BSM family, to be welcomed as one of us, because that’s what a community blessed by God does. Ever grateful for all that others do for the school, he understands the value of living in the present, knowing that collectively, the community enjoys the benefits of those who came before us. Jeremiah has lived and continues to be an example reminding faculty, staff, and students of their shared responsibility to be kind, so that wherever they go in life, others will feel the compassion students feel at Benilde-St. Margaret’s.

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You're Invited!

On Sunday, Aug. 25, Benilde-St. Margaret's will host a celebratory Mass for Mike Jeremiah on campus beginning at 10 a.m. All members of the BSM community are invited to join us. Please RSVP today!

In honor of Mike J.'s anniversary, you're invited to share your greetings and/or reflection which will be included in a collection of memories to be shared with Mike at the beginning of the 2024-2025 school year. Share yours before August 23, 2024.