By Lois Rogers | Correspondent

In Manasquan’s St. Denis School, there’s an iconic mural of Jesus welcoming the children to come unto him. But he’s situated neither on a hillside in Judea nor a seashore in Galilee.

He is, instead, seated comfortably on a beach in this seashore town and the children who cluster to his side are clad not in biblical robes, but in modern day clothes, including uniforms of St. Denis School.

The mural offered a bittersweet glimpse into the mission of the school these 56 years of its existence.

Like the trophies and the posters decorating the hallways June 14 – a day of “Sending Forth” for the students, parents, faculty, administration and alumni – it would become one more sweet memory to carry away as the school closed.

Hundreds attended the Mass of Sending Forth in St. Denis School celebrated by Father Edward Blanchett, pastor of the sponsoring parish.

In his homily, Father Blanchett drew upon the day’s Gospel reading (Mark 4:26-34) in which Jesus relates the parable of the mustard seed being scattered on the ground as the “smallest of seeds on the earth” but once sown, springs up and becomes the largest of plants.

“We come here together today to pray for St. Denis students, faculty and staff as they prepare to go out into the deep,” said Father Blanchett. He likened the school over the years to the farmer who scattered seed on good soil that was most likely to grow and yield a wonderful harvest.

Father Blanchett asked everyone to consider that analogy even as they experienced sorrow over the closing of the school.

He encouraged them to remember that in addition to the harvest of wonderful memories, there will be a rich harvest of academic achievements. Even more important, he stressed, will be the harvest of faith and social conscience, the preeminent gifts of the faculty, clergy and religious over the decades.

The seeds they planted, he said, “will grow long after St. Denis has closed. We must move on,” he said, “if not in the same school, then certainly in the same faith.”

He praised everyone who had given their time, talent and treasure to nurture these seeds of faith over the years, saying their contributions will be vital to generations. He expressed hope that with this firm foundation, today’s students will continue to grow in faith – whether in Catholic schools or religious education programs – and have the “tools, the spiritual Google maps to keep from getting lost.”

“My dear families,” he said, “as we send you forth on whatever path … these tools will strengthen your faith.”

A poignant moment came when he asked everyone connected to St. Denis School to stand for a blessing, urging them to remember the “gift of St. Denis School, its holidays and holy days,” as timeless treasures. “... Bless all who have been touched by St. Denis School and send them forth with spirit and guidance.”

The families present focused on the benefits they say have provided a good foundation for their children.

Among the alumni who attended were Robert Ivory, Class of ‘96, and his brother, Matthew, who attended St. Denis from first through sixth grade when the family moved to Belleville.

The brothers said it was important for them to be there to share the good memories of the school that set the foundation for their achievements in academics and in life.

Importantly, Robert wanted to show his son Riley where “daddy went to school.”

Robert said that when he heard the school was closing, he made it a point to be present for the Sending Forth. Along with the memories, there was something very important he wanted to take away.

The principal, Trudy Bonavita, had announced that former students were welcome to help themselves to keepsakes from the school: photos; cheerleader pom poms, trophies and the like.

He looked around the gym for maybe the last time, smiled and remarked: “In eighth grade, we won the parish basketball division. There’s a trophy with my name on it that I’d like to take home.”