By Mary Morrell | Managing Editor

For the community of St. Paul School, Burlington, a strong Catholic identity is a priority. 

The celebration of First Friday Masses each month is just one way that students are immersed in their faith. During the month of May, this monthly ritual included the traditional May Crowning of the Blessed Virgin, and a not-so-traditional prayer experience that culminated in the release of a 75-foot inflated Rosary which served as a very visible sign of faith to the surrounding communities.

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The morning Mass, concelebrated by Father Michael Dunn, pastor of St. Katharine Drexel Parish, Burlington, and Father Cesar Anson, parochial vicar, culminated in the crowning of a statue of the Virgin Mary. Four second graders, who were soon to receive their First Holy Communion, played a part in the May Crowning procession, carrying the Virgin’s crown on a special pillow before placing it on the statue.

Following the Mass, participants, including parents, grandparents and invited guests from the parish Altar Rosary Society and Young at Heart Club, were led in the recitation of the Rosary in the parish prayer garden, where a 75-foot hand-made Rosary comprised of helium inflated balloons and a foam cross waited in full view.

When the Rosary prayers were completed, the inflated Rosary was released into the air, drawing oohs and aahs and sounds of excitement from students, and tears from the adults.

“This was a very powerful experience,” shared Donna Healy, principal. “As the Rosary lifted up in the air and the children responded, I started to cry.”  She was obviously not alone, as young children near-by asked, “Why did the adults start to cry when the Rosary went up?”

It could have had something to do with the children themselves, who were heard to comment that when the Rosary disappeared into the hazy sky, “it was like our prayers went right to heaven, to Jesus.”

Healy explained that the idea for the balloon Rosary was the result of a brainstorming session of the Parent Teacher Association executive board. “They were brainstorming ways to show the community who we are” as a Catholic school, said Healy. “We have a strong history here and a strong community,” she noted.

Sometime after the meeting, one of the board members received an email video from her mom about a floating Rosary that was released by a church in Chicago. “The video was very moving,” reported Healy.

Soon, board members were saying, “We could do that here,” and the project took off, led by Julie Reynolds, parent, PTA executive board member and co-leader of the school’s marketing committee.

Her husband, Mike, was also responsible for the crafting of the Rosary, which was laid out, tied together and inflated in the school cafeteria.

Months of research went into the project before it came together, said Healy, acknowledging that one of her first questions to the board was one of environmental impact. 

Through their research, and in conversation with the organizers of the Chicago release, board members were able to purchase balloons that decompose at the same rate as oak leaves, and used all-cotton twine that would also decompose. Healy also contacted the local police department to make sure there were no restrictions to the release.

Recalling the prayer-filled day with obvious emotion, Healy concluded that it was what it was meant to be – “a visible sign of our faith.”