www.superiorcatholicherald.org Vol 153/Edition 5, 12 Pages March 2, 2023
JENNY SNARSKI
CATHOLIC HERALD STAFF JSNARSKI@CATHOLICDOS.ORG
O
ne of the Catholic Schools Week events at St. Marys School in Tomahawk was an all-school retreat focused on the Eucharist and Eucharistic adoration. It was the best retreat weve had, said teacher-in-charge Juanita Skubal. Students rotated through five stations in spirit groups. The groups mix grades so multi- ple grades interact, and older students can help younger ones and be role models. The five stations included working on an age-appropriate adoration booklet. Simpler for younger students, for older students it included more prayers, songs and Bible verses. Expectations were discussed for how to come into and be in the presence of Jesus - genuflect- ing on both knees, kneeling and sitting quietly and just being with Jesus. When each group went into the church for a time of adora- tion, they took their booklets, drew pictures, wrote prayers for themselves and others and reflections of gratitude. Another station provided a video and discussion time about Eucharistic adoration. The snack station provid- ed a sweet treat that students assembled into a monstrance shape using a round cookie with yellow frosting, a pretzel rod and pretzel sticks. At the song station, students talked about their own experi- ences with adoration, learned and sang songs, including This Little Light of Mine. One other station was fo- cused on the students letting their lights shine for others in need. They made Thinking of You cards for the sick in the parish and community. After the retreat, the whole school assembled in the cafete- ria to talk about what they had learned. Students were excited to talk about transubstantia- tion, which had been presented in the video. They also under- stood better that at each Mass, they are witnesses to a miracle when the priest says the words of consecration and the bread and wine are changed into Je- sus body and blood. Skubal said the children are more excited to go to Mass and notice when those words are proclaimed. From there, students went over to the church to see the red candle indicating Jesus Eucha- ristic presence. The tabernacle was opened, and there was a time of Eucharistic adoration before the monstrance. The students instantly bowed their heads, got on their knees, closed their eyes and just prayed, Skubal said. We were in adoration for over half an hour, and the students asked if we could do this again soon. Skubal shared reflections written by two fourth- and fifth- grade students. One boy wrote, I learned how to participate in adoration and that you get to sit in the church where you are comfort- able. My favorite part was sit- ting up in the balcony. I became closer to God by praying the whole time. A girl student shared that her favorite part was getting to hav- ing one-on-one time with Jesus. I became closer with God by writing everything that I saw in the church, like the crucifix, Fathers chair, all the candles, a bunch of people praying, the altar, the piano, the pews, etc. I learned that talking to Jesus by myself is very peaceful. Adoration is now scheduled monthly for school students to have this special time with Jesus. We had some students who had tears of joy, they didnt want to leave the church. It was so amazing to watch and listen to them be with Jesus, Skubal added. It was a sight to see! I personally cant wait for this
Kindergarten students spend time in personal prayer after coloring and personalizing an adoration booklet as one of five stations during the Eucha- ristic retreat at St. Mary's in Tomahawk during Catholic Schools Week. The re- treat day coincided with "dress as your favorite animal" day. (Submitted photo)
Tomahawk students 'taste and see' at retreat
See TOMAHAWK, Page 7
Dear brothers and sisters!
T
he Gospels of Matthew, Mark and Luke all recount the episode of the Transfiguration of Jesus. There we see the Lords response to the failure of his disciples to understand him. Shortly before, there had been a real clash between the Master and Simon Peter, who, after professing his faith in Jesus as the Christ, the son of God, rejected his prediction of the passion and the cross. Jesus had firmly rebuked him: Get behind me, Satan! You are a scandal to me, because you do not think according to God, but according to men! (Matthew 16:23). Following this, six days later, Jesus took with him Peter, James and John his brother and led them away to a high mountain (Matthew 17:1). The Gospel of the Transfiguration is pro- claimed every year on the Second Sunday of Lent. During this liturgical season, the Lord takes us with him to a place apart. While our ordinary commitments compel us to remain in our usual places and our often repetitive and sometimes boring routines, during Lent we are invited to ascend a high moun- tain in the company of Jesus and to live a particular experience of spiritual discipline - ascesis - as Gods holy people. Lenten penance is a commitment, sus- tained by grace, to overcoming our lack of faith and our resistance to following Jesus on the way of the cross. This is precisely what Peter and the other disciples need- ed to do. To deepen our knowledge of the Master, to fully understand and embrace the mystery of his salvation, accomplished in total self-giving inspired by love, we must allow ourselves to be taken aside by him and to detach ourselves from mediocrity and vanity. We need to set out on the journey, an uphill path that, like a mountain trek, requires effort, sacrifice and concentration. These requisites are also important for the synodal journey to which, as a church, we are committed to making. We can benefit greatly from reflecting on the relationship between Lenten penance and the synodal experience. In his retreat on Mount Tabor, Jesus
Lenten penance and the synodal journey
Message of the Holy Father for Lent 2023
See FRANCIS, Page 5
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