The Saints were marching in this morning at school Mass! The third grade classes, under the instruction of their religion teacher Mrs. Katie Bishop, led the faithful in the liturgy today dressed as various Saints.
Annually, the SMS third graders complete "Saint Projects", during which they research and choose a saint, create a costume, complete a report on the life of their chosen saint, as well as draw a portrait of their saint. Some of the saints we learned about from our third graders today included: St. Aloysius, St. Rose, St. Mary, St. George, St. Patrick, St. Kateri Tekawitha, St. Barbara, St. Theresa, St. Dymphna, St. Francis Xavier, St. Michael, St. Catherine of Alexandria, St. Mildred, St,. Valentine, St. Maria Goretti, St. David, St. Francis of Assisi, St. Isaac Jogues, St. Benedict, St. Matthew, and St. Catherine of Siena.
To see the wonderful costumes and artwork from our third graders today click here.
In his homily Father Art described how we might think of “the saints” as just the canonized saints. We celebrate these known saints in confidence, specifically on their feast days, because the Church has proclaimed that they are in heaven. However, EVERYONE who is in heaven is a saint! All Saints Day is the day we celebrate the canonized, as well as those unknown saints - our saintly old neighbors, our grandmas and grandpas who always prayed the rosary and attended Mass, that celebrity who made a good confession and received last rites just before he died, and of course anyone young or old who died in a state of grace. This is a day to remember we are all called to live saintly lives, and one day join all those saints in heaven.
The third graders did a wonderful job presenting on their saints after Mass, and enjoyed a light reception with their families afterwards in the school gym. Their saint portraits were also on display for all to see. Great job third grade!
The rest of our students honored the feast of All Saints by creating pamphlets about various saints and their lives, and by utilizing our in-depth religious curriculum from St. Mary Press. This same curriculum is used in our School, Family Faith Formation Program, and Sacrament Preparation classes. It provides active, hands on learning for students and families throughout the Liturgical seasons, and is a wonderful resource for families looking to reinforce their student's religious instruction at home.
Happy feast of All Saints!
