Unique opportunity takes students to St. Patrick Cathedral during Holy Week
July 29, 2019 at 12:37 p.m.
Each year more than 5 million people visit St. Patrick Cathedral in New York City.
On April 24, the eighth grade students of Our Lady of Sorrows School, Hamilton, were among the millions who visited the cathedral. The group was greeted by a cathedral docent and escorted through the cathedral, learning of its history, while special seating for the noon Holy Week Mass was being prepared.
In a unique opportunity, four students were invited to act as altar servers for the Mass celebrated by the cathedral rector, Monsignor Robert T. Ritchie. Msgr. Ritchie opened the Mass by welcoming the students to St. Patrick Cathedral and thanked OLS altar servers for being a part of the day’s liturgy, announcing their names from the altar so the congregation would recognize them.
Immediately following the Mass, the group was escorted through the lower sanctuary to a private meeting room where students, teachers and chaperones were able to interact with cathedral staff.
To complete the day, a quick walk through the streets of the city brought the group to The Circle in the Square Theatre for the midday performance of “Godspell,” a show highlighting the story of Jesus and the events leading to Good Friday.
“It was my hope that planning this experience for our eighth grade students would provide them with an opportunity to live their Catholic faith in the broader community,” explained Donald Constantion, principal of Our Lady of Sorrows School.
“They have worked over several weeks in art class with Kim Bowers to learn the history and architecture of St. Patrick Cathedral.
“Together with their music teacher, Jay Kemmmey, they learned about the development of the American musical. They have met in their daily religion classes with their teachers, Mrs. Anne Margaret Emde and Mr. Tom Prendergast discussing the parables and Gospels. The culmination of their work was to spend the opening of Holy Week in New York City.
“The midday Mass at St. Patrick’s was so special for everyone in the Our Lady of Sorrows School community. Monsignor Ritchie welcomed our school and gave our students the opportunity to serve on the altar. What an appropriate way to lived their faith actively with their peers!
“I knew this would be a day that would live with them for many years to come. The performance of Godspell was a meaningful and appropriate way to complete the day,” Constantino reflected.
[[In-content Ad]]Related Stories
Friday, October 25, 2024
E-Editions
Events
Each year more than 5 million people visit St. Patrick Cathedral in New York City.
On April 24, the eighth grade students of Our Lady of Sorrows School, Hamilton, were among the millions who visited the cathedral. The group was greeted by a cathedral docent and escorted through the cathedral, learning of its history, while special seating for the noon Holy Week Mass was being prepared.
In a unique opportunity, four students were invited to act as altar servers for the Mass celebrated by the cathedral rector, Monsignor Robert T. Ritchie. Msgr. Ritchie opened the Mass by welcoming the students to St. Patrick Cathedral and thanked OLS altar servers for being a part of the day’s liturgy, announcing their names from the altar so the congregation would recognize them.
Immediately following the Mass, the group was escorted through the lower sanctuary to a private meeting room where students, teachers and chaperones were able to interact with cathedral staff.
To complete the day, a quick walk through the streets of the city brought the group to The Circle in the Square Theatre for the midday performance of “Godspell,” a show highlighting the story of Jesus and the events leading to Good Friday.
“It was my hope that planning this experience for our eighth grade students would provide them with an opportunity to live their Catholic faith in the broader community,” explained Donald Constantion, principal of Our Lady of Sorrows School.
“They have worked over several weeks in art class with Kim Bowers to learn the history and architecture of St. Patrick Cathedral.
“Together with their music teacher, Jay Kemmmey, they learned about the development of the American musical. They have met in their daily religion classes with their teachers, Mrs. Anne Margaret Emde and Mr. Tom Prendergast discussing the parables and Gospels. The culmination of their work was to spend the opening of Holy Week in New York City.
“The midday Mass at St. Patrick’s was so special for everyone in the Our Lady of Sorrows School community. Monsignor Ritchie welcomed our school and gave our students the opportunity to serve on the altar. What an appropriate way to lived their faith actively with their peers!
“I knew this would be a day that would live with them for many years to come. The performance of Godspell was a meaningful and appropriate way to complete the day,” Constantino reflected.
[[In-content Ad]]