8th Graders Pray the Rosary Part 6

I like having a Rosary to pray with. It keeps my hands occupied, and it helps me keep count. Having my Rosary blessed by Fr. Stan makes me feel more holy when I'm praying. It's like holding something sacred in my hands. Praying the Rosary with classmates and friends makes it more powerful. It's not just you worshipping God, it's a whole room worshipping God. Praying with friends helps put meaning behind the words. (Emily P.)

What does my Rosary mean to me? It means to me that I have something in my life that is blessed. I was really happy when we got our Rosaries blessed. I can't explain how happy I was. When we prayed in church I felt holier than before. I felt Jesus in me. I wish we could spend more time in Church praying the Rosary. When I am in Church I open up more to God. Well, I do open up to God but it feels like I do it even more when I am in Church. I would like for my family to go to Church just to pray a Rosary. That would be lovely. My Grandma prays the Rosary all the time. I want to be like her on that part of her life. Jesus is a big part of our lives. Jesus is always there for us. He never forgets us. Jesus loves us too much to do that! He will always be there when we fall. Jesus will give us His hand to get us up and encourage us to keep going. (Nikki D.)

My Rosary means a lot to me. I have other Rosaries at home...like my 1st Communion Rosary. This was very special for me because I have never had one of my Rosaries blessed. I really appreciated Fr. Stan taking time to say a special blessing for our Rosaries. It was really special for me when I got my Rosary, because I knew I had chosen the right one. All the beads are the same color but they are different sizes and some are more round than others. It reminded me that we all love God and are made in God's image but we are all unique and different. I liked how we all got to lead the Rosary. It reminds me of how we are going to lead the school this year. Thank you Sr. Nicolette for the Rosaries! (Sophia O.)

Having my own Rosary means a lot and even more since it is blessed. I hope I keep it for a while. When we were praying I liked how sometimes the girls led and then the boys led. I liked the Rosary I chose. I knew from the beginning which Rosary I wanted. My Rosary is forest green with brown and tan swirls. (Brianna S.)

Fr. Matthias Neuman's Homily for the 26th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Readings: Numbers 11:25-29; James 5:1-6; Mk 9:38-48

We are beginning a series of homilies to explain some of the recent church teaching on communities of vowed men and women. This all began with Pope John Paul II’s intention in the mid 1990s to encourage and support these communities, which hadn’t received much attention in the post-Vatican II years. In 1994 the World Synod of Bishops dealt with the topic, "The Consecrated Life and its Mission in the Church and the world." Two years later John Paul issued an Apostolic Exhortation on the Consecrated Life. Since then the Vatican Congregation for Institutes of Consecrated Life has continued to issue major documents. These are the background for the upcoming Apostolic Visitation of communities of women in the United States.

One of the first things the Vatican did was drop the phrase, "religious communities," which had been used for centuries. That phrase could give the impression that everyone else in the Church was not religious. That was replaced with "communities of consecrated life." There’s a theological aspect as well to the newer phrase; taking vows of poverty, chastity and obedience becomes an "act of consecration," of consecrating oneself to Christ. And it’s that which John Paul II addressed in his Apostolic Exhortation. As an act of consecration the taking of vows becomes a positive act and not just a renunciation of something, as it was often understood in Church teaching before the Second Vatican Council. It is the choice to live more closely the exact kind of life that Jesus himself lived: obedient, single and poor. The consecration of vows is trying to conform one’s whole life to Christ.

The Holy Father notes that the gospel basis of consecrated life is to be sought in the special relationship which Jesus established with some of his disciples. He called all to welcome the Kingdom of God into their own lives and put their lives at its service; he called some to closely mirror his own way of life. In such a life baptismal consecration develops into a radical response in the following of Christ through acceptance of the evangelical counsels. Perhaps the most strikingly new image is the use that the Holy Father makes of the biblical event of the Transfiguration. There Jesus chooses Peter, James and John from the rest to accompany him up Mount Tabor and to see his radiant transfigured face. Almost all the subsequent Congregation documents pick up and use the image of the Transfiguration.

Through the centuries Christ has continued to call some to this more radical following of him in the consecration of their lives through the vows. The Vatican documents are very concerned that vowed men and women see their vows as a positive act, an act of consecration to a more exact following of Christ. If they do, then their vows become one lens (not the only lens), but one lens that offers a glimpse into the depths of the eternal and infinite love of God, which is the root of our very being.

For these reasons the Pope affirms very strongly that the profession of the evangelical counsels in consecrated life indisputably belongs to the essential life and holiness of the Church. John Paul writes: "Consecrated persons ‘at the deepest level of their being...are caught up in the dynamism of the Church’s life, which is thirsty for the Divine Mystery and called to holiness. It is to that holiness that they bear witness." (Consecrated Life, # 39) That’s beautiful to reflect on!

A Commentary for the 26th Sunday in Ordinary Time by Sr. Kathleen Yeadon, OSB

26th Sunday in O.T. September 27, 2009
Mark :9:38-48

Teacher, we saw someone driving out demons in your name, and we tried to prevent him because he does not follow us. v. 38

Why do we want to protect our “special rights” so readily—rights of respect, authority, power, tenure etc.?

Both in youth ministry and teaching, if I ask a young person to be in charge, it is always their understanding to dominate!

In last Sundays Gospel and this Sunday’s Gospel, Mark call us to see the “little ones”. The little ones have no power—nothing to increase our respect or glory. The great gift of the little one is to move us to the stance of selflessness. The little one increases our freedom because we act with no reward attached. We act out of love.

Benedict calls us to serve the little ones by mutual obedience. It is freely serving all without looking for reward or boosting our ego.

There are plenty of little ones in all our lives. I am surrounded by many opportunities in a high school both with adults and students.

When the less popular kids want to hang out with me, I have to remind myself over and over, it is the little one that counts!

This is not an easy Gospel to be inclusive of others but it is good news because when we dig deeper in ourselves, we find buried treasure.

8th Graders serve at the Cathedral Kitchen

Our school theme this year is, "Let the Son Shine Through Service." The 8th graders take turns serving the neighbors at the Cathedral Soup Kitchen. The students serve in groups of three, three times a month. The students are asked to write a short essay on what serving in the Soup Kitchen is like for them. The following reflections are from the students who had the opportunity to serve.

This past Friday I volunteered at the Cathedral Soup Kitchen. It was a very different occupation to do. At first I didn't know what to expect. On our way to the kitchen, Mrs. Buckley was explaining what the soup kitchen is like and what we should try to expect. She told us that the soup kitchen was downstairs in the basement area. She also told us that the people coming there might smell and that they might have ripped clothes on. She also told us that they might even curse. Then when we got there, Mrs. Buckley showed us around and introduced us to the other volunteers. She then showed us where the homeless or hungry would eat. The dining room, as I would call it, was very small. I thought that it was going to be a good size room. Then she showed us the pantry where they keep the food. It was a big room and there was a room the same size full of food right above. When the homeless people started to come in I was set up at a table serving "stuff." One of the volunteers said the "stuff" contained cut up bananas, sliced peaches, marshmallows, another fruit and a mixture of some liquids. To me it was a fast two hours at the soup kitchen. To all of the other volunteers it was slow day. When I was there I noticed one important thing about the homeless and the hungry. They were very polite. They were even polite when they have little or nothing at all. It makes me wonder if I were in their position if I would be that polite. (Josh C.)

My experience at the Soup Kitchen was very moving. At first I was very nervous about going. When I got there they showed us around and told us what we would be doing. When they took us into the room in which we would be serving the people, the first thing that came into my mind was wow, this room is very small. When they let the people in at first it was overwhelming. Taylor and I were serving the juice. The juice was flying but once we got it under control it was a lot less nerve racking. Just a simple hello, how are you made them smile. I was happy to put a smile on someones face. I had a very enjoyable day and can't wait to return to the soup kitchen. (Samantha A.)

It was a very moving experience to serve the neighbors. The look on their faces when I handed them their food was like no other. They looked really hungry and just deprived of everything. (Taylor B.)

8th Graders Pray the Rosary Part 5

When I got my Rosary I felt like the one I chose just seemed like the right one. When we were sitting in Church one of my favorite thing was hearing the sound of the beads coming out of people's pockets hitting the wood on the pews. Fr. Stan blessed our Rosaries and sprinkled them with holy water. I felt special because I knew we were the only class receiving blessed Rosaries. (Nick K.)


When we got our Rosaries blessed it meant a lot to me. When Fr. Stan said the blessing it made me feel closer to God. When he blessed us with the holy water it made me feel like my Rosary was officially blessed. We prayed the Rosary which was a neat experience. We had the girls lead and then the boys led. That made me feel like I was really a part of the prayer. I liked praying the Rosary and leading better than listening to it on a recording. (Jake F.)


This Rosary makes me feel better about myself. It also makes me feel better about it, when I'm praying with it...it feels smooth and looks shiny. I know when I pray the Rosary, it will become even more shiny. The more I pray the Rosary the better I feel about myself. When I use it or hold it, I know that I'm not just a sinner, but I am God's creation. It is special because it was hand made. I didn't get it from a store. It was given to me by a loving nun that cares for all of us like we are all her children. I also like how it isn't beads bought from a store. They were seeds that grew into beads known as Job's Tears. It is a blessed Rosary so it is even more holy. When I pray with this Rosary, it makes me want to try harder or think harder about it, and God, Mary and Jesus. When I write this it makes me feel and know that I love my life and everything in it! (Tristan M.)


I love having my own Rosary. I can pray anytime I want. When we prayed the Rosary in Church the girls got to lead the Rosary and then the boys led the Rosary. I liked that. I like how Fr. Stan said a special prayer over us and the Rosaries. I love how Sr. Nicolette hand made the Rosaries for all of the 8th graders. I liked how we got to pray the Rosary right after Fr. Stan blessed them. I think it will bring me closer to Mary because every time I pray this I will always have Mary and Jesus in my heart along with Sr. Nicolette for making them for us. I like how they are not all the same. Mine has a cross that looks old. It has hearts above the INRI, next to both of Jesus' hands and under his feet. My beads are made from Job's tears that were grown in Sr. Nicolette's mom and dad's back yard. I don't think I could tell her thank you enough. I hope she knows. Thank you, Thank you so much for making them for us! (Elizabeth G.)


To have a blessed Rosary in my life is very special. When I prayed the Rosary today I felt more holy and I felt more connected to God. When Sr. Nicolette let us lead I felt like a leader and it made me feel special. Spending an extra 15 minutes with a blessed Rosary really makes me feel holy. I hope I will have this Rosary forever. (Ben #2)

Fr. Matthias Neuman's Homily for the 25th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Readings: Wis 2:12-20; James 3:16-4:3; Mk 9:30-37

There’s a line in the second reading from the Letter of James that caught my attention. "Where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there is discord and every foul practice." The reason it caught my eye is that I am currently working on summaries of some of the Vatican documents that are sources for the Apostolic Visitation of Institutes of Religious Women in the United States. As one reads through these documents, mostly from the Congregation for Institutes of Consecrated Life, certain themes begin to be touched on again and again. One that frequently appears is this: "The prevalence of personal projects over community endeavors can deeply corrode the communion of brotherly and sisterly love." Or again: "There is the risk that subjective choices, individual projects and local customs will prevail over the rule, the style of community life, and the apostolic projects of the community." (Starting Afresh From Christ, ## 12, 18) The documents further note that those engaged in personal projects often develop rivalries, ambition and competition, which are very destructive of community life.

The Congregation documents suggest that this is an especially challenging issue because of the modern cultural ideal of self-development. People in Western cultures are raised today with the conviction that it’s absolutely necessary to find one’s "unique path" in life, and that your whole personal fulfillment and happiness can be found only in pursuing that unique path. It’s the new version of the old saying, "I gotta be me." The documents agree that there is a very valid sense of personal self-development which all people should pursue—that’s a part of the Christian vision of the human person. But the documents are also very concerned that in any Institute of Consecrated Life the community apostolates should take preference over personal projects. That’s a part of the vow of obedience.

I remember many years ago I had a discussion about obedience with Fr. Eric Lies of my community. We were out on the golf course. (You would be amazed what kinds of discussions happen on a golf course.) We were remembering the pre-Vatican II years when no one was ever consulted about whether they would be willing to do a particular job or not. Sometime in mid-August a sign would go up on the main Bulletin Board with all the job assignments for the coming year. Whether you liked the job or even whether you had any ability to do it—made no difference. There was no recourse. But Fr. Eric surprised me. He said: "I have never been assigned a job in the monastery that I would have chosen for myself. But I accepted them and tried to do my best. Everyone of them turned out to be exactly the right job for me." That’s quite a comment about the vow of obedience.

The Roman documents are also very much concerned with the fact that ambition and competition do not get out of hand in a community. They place a great deal of emphasis on developing a spirituality of communion. This is true for all religious communities. There are many aspects to the spirituality of communion—too many to go into right now. But I’ve decided that for the next several weeks I’m going to give a series of homilies on some of the main themes of these documents. The documents really are very good. They attempt to develop a spirituality and practice of consecrated life in the light of the vision of the Second Vatican Council. That’s something that’s worthwhile for all of us to know. We’ll be doing that in coming weeks.

Vocation Essay

How do priest, deacons and religious brothers and sisters help us to hear God’s call in our lives?

Everybody can help us hear God’s call but there are a couple main people who help us the most. Priests are the first people I’m going to mention. Without priests we wouldn’t be able to receive our daily body of Christ also known as Eucharist, which helps us get closer to God. Also Priests say mass which is one of the biggest ways to get closer to God. So, as you can see priest are very important.

Next are deacons. Permanent Deacons can be married and can serve when needed. Even though they are not able to do as much as the priests they are still needed to help us become closer to God.

Next are religious brothers. They teach at a school as a religion teacher or a bible school teacher to teach non-catholic students become closer to God. Religious brothers are just as important as priest or deacons. They are just not able to lead a mass. They help in different ways but can teach just as much.

Next are religious sisters also known as nuns. Some people think of nuns as scary, weird, dressed people. But they are not that. They are very respectful and important people. It is good if someone becomes a nun because nuns help people including me become closer to God. Sadly less and less people are becoming nuns. They can help us hear God’s call. Even though they cannot say a mass does not mean they can’t help us as much as a priest or deacon. Their lives are also fully focused on God and like us they learn more about God everyday.

So as you can see everybody can help us hear God’s call in life but you have to do some searching yourself.

Kaitlin O. 8th