Jack Szatkowski
Senior Jack Szatkowski questioned his own faith following his father’s devastating medical diagnosis. But his Notre Dame family stepped up and helped him renew his belief with the power of community.
“This journey has made me more compassionate and intentional with others, showing me how small acts of kindness can truly change someone’s life. Now, I run Mental Health Mondays at St. Edward’s Hall, where we meet weekly to share, connect, and support each other.”
The Advent season can bring mixed emotions for many of us — we have loved ones who have passed on, who carry heavy burdens, or perhaps who are estranged for whatever reasons. I’ve learned that Christ’s love interweaves through ALL of our stories — the ones that bring us joy and the ones that bring us pain. May we each allow Christ’s compassion, faith, and shared humanity into every moment and cherished relationship.
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Amazing story that meant a lot to me, Jack! We have indeed had a lot of illnesses in our family and there is nothing more important than friends supporting friends.
That baby blue ND shirt is very cool. Where’d you get it?
Hey Dave! Thanks for the kind words.
I got the shirt at the book store in fall of ‘23. Not sure if it is still there or not!
I pray every day for my nephew Jimmer Szatkowski and his family…May the good lord keep them in his hands
Possibly the most relatable and uplifting sacred story of this season.
Agree. Your sacred story sent a momentary shockwave of empathy through me. I similarly suffered the loss of my Dad after a long illness in early October of my senior year of high school. I went off to college at a big university the following Fall feeling fragile and unmoored from everything I had known before. Thankfully, friends from home and new friendships made there provided the courage and grounding that eventually enabled me to find my footing and begin to thrive.
This story exemplifies the power of the Notre Dame community. I’m so happy for you, Jack! Go Irish!
I pray every day for my nephew Jimmer Szatkowski and his family…May the good lord keep them in his hands
Jack,
As a former Stedsman, I can relate to the communion and support you have received. You will carry that with you long after graduation.
You have certainly answered the call of what would you fight for. Peace,
Many thanks, for sharing your story Jack. You are an inspiration to all of us! Merry Christmas to you and your family.
Your story reflects your great love and faith. May this holy season bring you peace.
Sharing this with my teenage sons. So much truth about the power of Christ’s love and the acts of kindness by others that can carry us through challenging times. Over 30 years after graduating from ND, my ND family has continued to support me. And it’s also so true that these challenges can help us grow into a better version of ourselves. Prayers for you, Jack, and your family.
Thank you for sharing your story. I pray for your Dad and your family. God bless and Merry Christmas 🎄
Thank you for sharing your story and bringing to light the emotional, physical and spiritual weight of caring for and loving on our parents. Turning this season into good is a testament to you – your family, friends, ND and faith. Press on – this is Gods perfect plan whether we understand it or not. Here’s to cavanaugh and Mondays!
I will pray for you, Jack, and your family. Thank you for sharing this story with us.
Jack your story brought back so many memories of my time at Notre Dame with a group of Farley women and St. Ed’s men…friends who support each other to this day.May you continue to find strength and comfort with your ND friends.
Your Advent reflection shows the power of faith and friendship, Jack. Thanks for sharing with our ND community. Acts of kindness and compassion can be powerful in times of pain and feelings of isolation. May you have many blessings during this sacred season.
Jane Philips
Hi Jack,
Thank you for sharing your story and beginning experience at Notre Dame. I also struggled my first semester, although I didn’t have the additional heavy burden you were carrying with your father’s diagnosis. Blessings to you for relying on your buddies at St Eds and the ND Faith community. It’s not easy admitting we’re hurting and in need of comfort and compassion, especially as strong men… always the Warrior right?
As you mentioned, your suffering moved you to become a more patient and intentional person, with a God-driven nudge I’m certain to lead the Mental Health Monday sessions at your dorm. We are all called to not only walk with Christ, but also to walk like Christ. May we all embrace the chaos of this life and hold on to the Hope that is promised during this Advent season and time of anticipation. Merry Christmas to you and your family!
Thank you for your beautiful story. Prayers for your dad and entire family. God will keep you safe & strong.
A beautiful inspiring story. Thank you for sharing Jack. My father passed Christmas Day 2009. I lived in St Eds 1968-1971.
ND ‘72☘️
God bless your dad and your beautiful family. Our prayers will be with you always. Go Irish! ☘️
Thank you. Your reflection was beautifully done.
Pat Doyle (Manorite 1983)
God bless you and your family, Jack! Also, I think I might have gone to ND with one of your relatives, Michael Szatkowski (’84?), may he rest in peace.
Thank you for sharing. My son married a woman who’ had three children. Her husband had developed Schizophrenia and committed suicide. His oldest son is preparing to enter college next Fall. He struggles still with the loss of his biological father. Christmas is a hard time for him as his father killed himself on December 8th some 8 years ago. Hopefully your story will help him. His faith is strong. Your story is inspirational. God bless you and your family.
Thank you for sharing, Jack! Hod bless you and have a wonderful holiday season.
Having lost my wife to ALS, I have walked in your shoes at a different time of life. You will never forget the support of your friends.
Thanks for sharing your faith and healing journey, Jack.
In my early adult years my uncle Phil was also diagnosed with ALS. He and I were very close and he kept his signature ribbing right to the end.
As a happy-go-lucky boy of 12 I began to experience depression and so began my own faith and healing journey of a lifetime.
As you are offer empathy, support, and encouragement on mental health Mondays, I too aim to do by sharing my story through music & poetry in my podcast Brian’s Poetry Oasis.
Keep being beacon of hope and healing for others, Jack.
Brian Crouth
Class of ‘84
St. Ed’s Hall &
Econ Major
Jack,
Your story is a tragic, beautiful one. I’m a licensed mental health professional (ND class of ’98). Your faith in action for Mental Health Mondays is a beautiful testament to your faith and to the importance of support through challenge. What a beautiful idea–thank you for putting it into action.
All the best,
Jack,
Truly inspirational. Thank you for sharing this story and I pray for continued healing for and your family. I lived in St. Ed’s for two years and graduated from the five yr architecture program in 1986. I also sang in the Glee Club and my St. Ed’s roommate was Mike Szatkowski,(‘85) the Glee Club accompanist. He was a good guy, taken too young from an illness. Not sure if you are related to Mike, but your name and mutually shared experience at St Ed’s stuck a chord with me.
Thank you, Jack.
Martin Foos
Class of 1992
St. Ed’s Hall
MAN, am I glad you’re a domed, Jack! Such a moving and loving example of Christ in our daily lives. Your taking of personal tragedy and turning it outward to help others is, simply, Christ-like. Continued blessings to you and your family, and a very Merry Christmas!
Jack:
You are a remarkable young man with a heart of gold.
Praying for you and your family.
Jack,
Thank you so much for sharing your faith journey and the story of your struggles with your dad’s diagnosis. I can only imagine how proud your parents are of the young man you’ve become. Please be assured of continued prayers for Jimmer from a CBA mom and ND alum.