First Reconciliation

Last week, our 2nd graders celebrated the sacrament of Reconciliation for the first time. Together with their families, the students participated in a brief prayer service before receiving the sacrament. Many students were a bit nervous as they made their way to the priest for confession, but all left the confessional with broad smiles and happy hearts.

Special thanks to Fr. Pete and Fr. Sigmund for hearing confessions for the 2nd graders and their family members. Thanks also to Mrs. Huelsing for preparing the students so well for this special sacrament of forgiveness.

Reconciliation Retreat

Last Thursday, the OLS 2nd graders had the privilege of participating in a reconciliation retreat. Run by two energetic Sacred Heart Sisters, the retreat included stories, crafts, games, and songs, all geared towards teaching the students about this special sacrament of forgiveness.

From a retelling of the Prodigal Son to a thorough description of the 10 Commandments, the sisters strove to explain sin and forgiveness in terms that made sense to the young students. Our 2nd graders enjoyed their special day and are looking forward to celebrating the sacrament of reconciliation in early December.

 

First Holy Communion

Saturday, the 2nd graders and their families gathered to celebrate their First Holy Communion. The sunny skies matched the students' excited smiles as they looked forward to receiving Jesus for the first time. Their reverence and awe before the blessed sacrament served as a powerful example for all who witnessed it.

 Thank you to all who helped prepare our children for this important step in their faith formation: Mrs. Huelsing, Dr. Sanders, Fr. Pete, and their parents.

Sacrament of Confirmation

Congratulations to our 7thGraderswho received the Sacrament of Confirmation this past Thursday evening. Throughout this past year our 7th graders have been preparing to make this bold step that completes their initiation into the Catholic Church.  

This completes their initiation into the Catholic faith and allows them the privilege to be a sponsor/godparent for others. 

 

We are proud of our 7th Graders and are grateful to their teacher, Mrs. Barb Ryan, their parents, and Confirmation sponsors for helping them prepare for this special moment.

 We were also honored to have  Monsignor Mark Rivituso, Vicar General of the Archdiocese to confer the sacrament on our young parishioners.

First Reconciliation

On Wednesday night, our 2nd graders celebrated the sacrament of Reconciliation for the first time. Together with their families, the students participated in a brief prayer service before receiving the sacrament. Many students were a bit nervous as they made their way to the priest for confession, but all left the confessional with broad smiles and happy hearts.

Special thanks to Fr. Pete and Fr. Sigmund for hearing confessions for the 2nd graders and their family members. Thanks also to Mrs. Huelsing and Dr. Sanders for preparing the students so well for this special sacrament of forgiveness.

Preparing for Reconciliation

Last Thursday, the OLS 2nd graders had the privilege of participating in a reconciliation retreat. Run by two energetic Sacred Heart Sisters, the retreat included stories, crafts, games, and songs, all geared towards teaching the students about this special sacrament of forgiveness.

From a retelling of the Prodigal Son to a thorough description of the 10 Commandments, the sisters strove to explain sin and forgiveness in terms that made sense to the young students. Our 2nd graders enjoyed their special day and are looking forward to celebrating the sacrament of reconciliation in early December.

Learning to Welcome

In religion class, our kindergarten students have discussed welcomes. They learned that Jesus welcomed little children (like them!) by saying, "Let the children come to me." By welcoming others, they can live like Jesus and welcome Him into their lives.

As a reminder of the importance of being welcoming, Mrs. Kresyman and her class created a sun that hangs outside their classroom door:

Celebrating Our Lady of the Rosary

At Wednesday's all-school Mass, our students celebrated the feast of Our Lady of the Rosary. The 3rd grade made a special presentation explaining why we should pray the rosary. Among other reasons, the 3rd graders told the OLS community that they pray the rosary:

• "to remember Mary."
• "to pray for someone we love."
• "because it makes me happy in my heart."
• "when I am sad or worried because I know Jesus is with me."
• "so that I can be kinder to others."
• "because it makes our faith grow stronger."

They repeated their presentation for us after Mass so that we could share it with you. (Editor's note: some of the students speak softly; you may need to turn up your speakers in order to hear.):

The Good Shepherd

At Wednesday's all-school Mass, Fr. Pete preached about the good shepherd and Jesus's parable that He is the Good Shepherd. Fr. Pete wanted to ensure that the students understood what Jesus meant. As a 21st century, urban-dwelling population, the idea of a shepherd might be lost on them.

To demonstrate a shepherd's care for his sheep, Fr. Pete lifted one of the 2nd graders onto his shoulders, explaining that this was the same way a shepherd would carry one of his flock. The move incited more than a few giggles - from students and adults alike - but it also drove home the point and taught a tangible lesson on Jesus's loving care for each of us.

All School Mass

Most weeks, Wednesday is all-school Mass day for OLS students. The 1st through 8th graders begin their morning by celebrating liturgy with members of the school and parish communities (kindergarten students will begin attending all-school Mass later this semester).

Many OLS parishioners come each week to celebrate the Eucharist with us.

If you haven't attended a Wednesday morning Mass recently, you will be pleasantly surprised by the beauty of our Honors Choir's singing! Mr. Vizer, our music teacher, leads the choir, which is open to students in grades 3-8. They practice every Wednesday morning at 7:15, so they are primed and ready to go for morning Mass! If your student wants to join the choir, contact Mr. Vizer.

First Communion

Last weekend, our second graders made their First Communion.  With beautiful weather to match their happy faces, the students joyfully celebrated this sacrament, which marks an important step in their spiritual development.  They then celebrated their second Communion on Sunday during 10:00 Mass with the entire parish community as their witnesses.

Congratulations to all of our First Communicants!

Preparing for First Communion

On Saturday, the OLS 2nd graders will receive their First Holy Communion.  Mrs. Huelsing has been preparing the class since Christmas for this special moment.  They've learned the parts of the Mass, memorized many prayers, and discovered the meaning behind many of symbols of our faith.  They are excited to receive Jesus for the first time in the Eucharist!

First Communion will take place at 1:00 on Saturday, and all are welcome to come!  It is a special Mass in which the young members of our parish, by their excitement and joy, remind us how privileged we are to receive this gift of Jesus himself: body, blood, soul, and divinity.

Confirmation

Monsignor Rivituso poses with several of our confirmandi.

Congratulations to our 7th graders who received he Sacrament of Confirmation this past Friday.  Monsignor Mark Rivituso, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of St. Louis​, was the celebrant for the Mass.  May the Holy Spirit continue to lead and guide them to be bold witnesses of the faith.

Our newly confirmed students with Monsignor Rivituso and Mrs. Ryan.

Rite of Enrollment

This past Wednesday, our 7th graders celebrated the Rite of Enrollment for the sacrament of Confirmation.  Each student was enrolled as someone who would like to complete their initiation into the Catholic faith by this third sacrament of initiation.  Having been baptized as infants and nourished for the past five years with the gift of the Holy Eucharist, these young men and women are now ready to 'confirm' the promises of baptism and receive an outpouring of the Holy Spirit to help them be bold disciples of Christ.

The 7th graders and their sponsors commit to the sacrament of Confirmation.

We received word last week that Monsignor Mark Rivituso, Vicar General for the Archdiocese of St. Louis, will be with us on Friday, April 10th to confer this sacrament on behalf of Archbishop Carlson.  The Confirmation Mass at 7:00pm is open to all parishioners and is an opportunity for all members of our community to be renewed in their own commitment to Christ.  Please join us!