BY MARLENE A. ZLOZA
Northwest Indiana Catholic
“Have no anxiety at all, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, make your requests known to God.
Then the peace of God that surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.” - Phil. 4:6-7
MERRILLVILLE – Bishop Robert J. McClory urged young people to put their trust in the Lord and give their burdens to Him during a Catholic Schools Week Mass he celebrated on Jan. 31 at Andrean High School.
“There is a fantastic passage today in St. Paul’s letter to the Philippians, and it is what we should be focused on, said the bishop: ‘Whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is gracious, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.’
“That’s a great way to think of Catholic schools,” Bishop McClory pointed out before asking the students to tell him what they like about their schools, whether it be Andrean, Aquinas Catholic Community School in Merrillville, St. Mary Catholic Community School in Crown Point, St. Michael School in Schererville or St. John the Evangelist School in St. John.
The answers ranged from “our teachers” to “fun activities” to “all the things we learn,” concluding with “that we are all one big family,” which prompted the bishop to note that “one of the themes in our schools this year is unity.”
While the bishop noted that St. Paul “tells us to ‘Rejoice always in the Lord,’” he also spoke of “concerns, anxieties and worries … that it is very natural to have.” The bishop urged the young people to “Show kindness to others” and when praying to God, “Don’t just ask for things, but thank Him in prayer for things that haven’t even happened yet. Allow the peace of God to dwell in your hearts.”
Young people used the Mass to give thanks for their schools.
“I like the small size of St. Mary School and the way everyone knows each other,” said Nina Lavern, a seventh grader from Gary. “Catholic Schools Week reminds us of and celebrates Jesus and our faith.”
Aquinas School eighth-grader Brian Campbell, of Gary, called his school “one big happy family – no one is left out. They focus on you and what you need to succeed.”
For Catholic Schools Week, Campbell and fellow student council members served hot cocoa to their schoolmates – with marshmallows.
“All the teachers and everything I learn,” is what sixth-grader Rose Ellis, of St. John, likes about St. Michael School in Schererville, where “Superheroes Day” was her favorite Catholic School Week activity (and her chance to dress as Spiderman).
Only a St. Mary student since seventh grade, Patrick McLaughlin, a Crown Point resident, will graduate from eighth grade this spring appreciating “learning why and how we should follow Christ and his teachings. The teachers help us get close to Jesus.
“I’m proudest of the people – the students and teachers – because they help you be the best you can be,” he said.
Caption: Bishop Robert J. McClory accepts a cruet of water from Vincenzo Pomilia, an eighth grader at St. John the Evangelist School in St. John, during a Catholic School Week Mass at Andrean High School in Merrillville on Jan. 31. Also carrying up the offertory gifts at the Mass were Arianna Patiks, and eighth grader from St. Michael School in Schererville, and Siboney Sanchez-Mojica, an eighth grader at Aquinas Catholic Community School in Merrillville. (Marlene A. Zloza photo)