The fifth graders planned a beautiful Mass that celebrated all human life especially the most vulnerable.  What fantastic readers!  Deacon Dick proclaimed the Gospel story of the Good Samaritan, the story that Pope Francis has emphasized in his most recent encyclical Fratelli Tutti.  This letter emphasizes the importance of caring for each other: to love others as God loves us. For all life is precious.  Students processed with roses after Communion as we recalled the importance of caring for all people at all stages, from the very young, to the very old.  The Faith in Action focus for the fifth graders is babies and children, so this Mass highlighted the needs of children at their various stages but also the parents and grandparents who care for them.  After Mass, the fifth graders learned about Melissa’s Hope, whom they will support to help vulnerable children in Haiti.

Our seventh graders are preparing next week’s Mass, and they will be joined by their kindergarten buddies.  We will celebrate the Feast of St. Angela Merici.  As founder of the Ursuline Sisters, she is a pivotal saint for us at St. Peter Parish.  Our adoration chapel is named after this sixteenth century woman.  After all, Ursuline Hall was formerly a convent for the Ursuline Sisters who taught in our school.  There is a picture of St. Angela in the hallway outside the chapel.  Look for it the next time you visit the St. Angela Merici Adoration Chapel.

We continue to study the Liturgy of the Eucharist and next week emphasize the Preface to the Eucharistic Prayer.  During this part of the Mass, the priest guides us through a prayer of praise and thanksgiving to God.  “Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.”  We respond, “It is right and just.”  Yes, it is truly a good idea to remember all the blessings we have received from God during this part of the Mass.