Florida Catholic | Students “Light the Way”

Students “Light the Way” to the altar

Pensacola area schools celebrate Catholic Schools Week with Eucharistic liturgy.

AMY FERRARA SMITH | FLORIDA CATHOLIC STAFF

Published: 02.08.08

Students from Sacred Heart Cathedral School, along with Apostle of the Sacred Heart of Jesus Sister Elizabeth Knight, exchange a sign of peace during the all-schools Eucharistic liturgy Jan. 30 at Pensacola Catholic High School.
AMY FERRARA SMITH | FC

PENSACOLA | Various Catholic schools’ colors in the Pensacola area blended together at a eucharistic celebration honoring Catholic Schools Week on Jan. 30 at Pensacola Catholic High School.

Focusing on the theme “Light the Way,” students from Little Flower, Sacred Heart, St. Paul, St. John and St. Michael schools processed to the altar carrying ribbon flags representing their schools’ colors. Bishop John H. Ricard, SSJ, and Father Joseph Fowler, Pensacola Catholic High School chaplain, followed the procession.

From the altar, Bishop Ricard greeted the school communities, including the principals and Superintendent of Schools Susan J. Mueller. Catholic High student Reagan Robison then read Jeremiah 1:4-9, followed by the responsorial psalm from Psalm 89. Chelsea Gatterdam of Catholic High read Romans 12:4-8, and Father Fowler proclaimed the Gospel reading from Matthew 5:13-16.

“Today, in fact this week, throughout the United States,” Bishop Ricard said in his homily, “we are celebrating Catholic Schools Week. We are celebrating that great experience, that innovative mission for our country which we call Catholic schools. And which has resulted in so many stories of success and achievement. And which has kept our faith alive and vibrant. And which has contributed so much to the strength and vigor of our democratic system, but most of all of our church in this country.”

Bishop Ricard then presented to the assembly the question: What are Catholic schools? He continued, “Are they buildings? Are they classrooms? Catholic schools consist of gyms, media centers … Are they championship soccer teams? Baseball, football teams? … What are Catholic schools? Are they science competitions? Are they spelling bees? Are they all these things? Yes, they are. And much, much more. Most of all, they are teachers and principals and coaches and guidance counselors and chaplains and nurses and special ed teachers and all those people whose lives are dedicated to challenging young minds and hearts. … Catholic schools are also parents who make sacrifices. … So today, we celebrate this great gift.”

After Communion, the celebration concluded with the singing of the Pensacola Catholic High School alma mater.

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Students “Light the Way” to the altar

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