Students who received First Holy Communion at St. Columba this year were invited to wear their First Communion outfits and honor Mother Mary for Mother's Day as we celebrated the mothers, grandmothers, godmothers and foster mothers of our parish. Parents of the First Communion students signed up for one of the weekend Masses indicating their intention to worship at a particular Mass. The first student to arrive at each of the Masses would have the honor of placing the crown on Mary's head.
Laura Scampoli organized the celebration of the Last Supper for the 3rd and 2nd grade students and invited Deacon John Reilly to lead the learning experience. Parents provided the symbolic food and helped rearrange desks and arrange the layout. Click on the picture above for additional written details. For additional photos of this special class, look below and click on the pictures under the label "Last Supper".
Rosemary Thorn's Confirmation class made homemade blankets and added notes of love. These were delivered by the teens who joined Fr. Michael for the Midnight Run. The idea was to send love that would warm the body and heart of those who live on the streets in the cold of winter. For more pictures, look below: Blanket Making. ALSO, click on the picture on the left to read about THE GOD SQUAD!
Fr. Michael, Fr. James and Msgr. Thompson came to school the second week of Lent to offer the students in grades 3 - 8 the opportunity to go to confession. After each student prayed his or her penance to complete his/her reception of God's forgiveness, there were Station of the Cross booklets available so that everyone could meditate on how Jesus made His way to Calvary where he stretched out his arms on the cross in love for us. To see more pictures of the reverence of the students during this time, look below. Click on the picture on the left to read more.
Pageants in the religious education classrooms and Christmas Masses express the joy of living, sharing, and celebrating our faith. (Click on picture for more information and see additional inspiring pictures below.)
St. Denis-St. Columba Catholic School hosted "Breakfast with Santa" for everyone at St. Columba! (Click on picture for more information and see additional inspiring pictures below.)
Families from the School of Religion had an opportunity to impact the lives of 250 children served by the Center for Prevention of Child Abuse. The response was overwhelming. (Click on picture for more information and see additional inspiring pictures below.)
Fr. Michael, Msgr. Thompson and Fr. James hear the Confessions of the students during Advent. After confession, the students seem transformed as they pray their penance in front of Mary's statue or the cross of Jesus. Truly inspiring! (Click on picture for more information and see additional inspiring pictures below.)
Each year several more catechists who serve the young people of St. Columba Parish achieve certification and some are recognized with the medal of honor for their service of 25 years or more. (Click on picture for more information.)
Parents whose children attend first grade on Saturday mornings were invited to class to hear what happens during religious education sessions. (Click on picture for more information.)