On Friday, October 30, Saint Joseph School’s fifth-grade students marked the approaching Solemnity of All Saints with presentations during the school’s weekly Mass at Saint Joseph Basilica. The students had learned about the lives of saints and other important figures in the Church, then shared their chosen subjects with the school community.
Under the guidance of fifth-grade instructors Mrs. Susan Gallivan and Miss Norah Brennan, students explored how examples of holy men and women can inspire people to live with faith, courage, service, and compassion. Rev. Richard Polek, pastor and headmaster of Saint Joseph School, was the celebrant.
Students also took part in the liturgy. Addison Goulet, Maya Jackson, Kenny Maurer, Mila Androlewicz, Maksymilian Bujala, Callum Bergman, Jackson Lovett, and Nella Copland served as readers. Tamara Giteru, Logan Derry, Kelsey Cormier, Oliver Smith, Joanna Thrun, Oliver Delgaudio, Patrick Deptula, and Quincy Middleton led the Prayer of the Faithful. Olivia Perry, Olivia Guito, Paulina Piascik, and Keziah Anobah presented the offertory gifts.
Among Mrs. Gallivan’s students, Mila Androlewicz portrayed Mary, Undoer of Knots; Avery Benson portrayed Pope Saint John Paul II; Callum Bergman portrayed Saint Damien of Molokai; Maksymilian Bujala portrayed Saint John Neumann; Nella Copland portrayed Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton; Oliver Delgaudio portrayed Saint René Goupil; Patrick Deptula portrayed Blessed Fulton J. Sheen; Olivia Guito portrayed Our Lady, Star of the Sea; Quincy Middleton portrayed Saint Joseph; Olivia Perry portrayed Our Lady of the Rosary; Oliver Smith portrayed Saint Junípero Serra; and Joanna Thrun portrayed Our Lady of Guadalupe.
In Miss Brennan’s class, Jamarion Pierre portrayed Saint René Goupil; Jackson Lovett portrayed Blessed Francis Xavier Seelos; Logan Derry portrayed Saint Damien of Molokai; Kenny Maurer portrayed Saint John Lalande; Addison Goulet portrayed Saint Frances Xavier Cabrini; Kelsey Cormier portrayed Saint Rose Philippine Duchesne; Tamara Giteru portrayed Saint Marianne Cope; Paulina Piascik portrayed Saint Catherine of Bologna; Maya Jackson portrayed Saint Teresa of Ávila; Keziah Anobah portrayed Saint Rose of Lima; Edie portrayed Saint Hildegard of Bingen; and Amalina Khozami portrayed Dorothy Day.
The presentations helped students see that these stories are more than accounts of the past. They offer examples of faith and service that can guide people in their own lives. As the Saint Joseph School community prepared to celebrate All Saints Day, the fifth graders’ work reminded everyone to keep learning from these examples and to put faith into action through daily acts of kindness and care for others.
