Dear Blessed Sacrament Families, 

While working in my office yesterday, I heard a knock at the door. Sister Mary Ruth and a group of second graders stood there with huge smiles. They joyfully serenaded me with one of their favorite hymns, “Alleluia! Sing to Jesus!” After finishing the last atrium sessions this week, I asked Sister Mary Ruth to share a bit about her time in the atrium this year: 

I had the privilege of working in the atrium weekly with BSS first and second graders. During these sessions, children grew closer to Jesus while engaging their heads, hearts, and hands. Each week began with a few minutes of silence to prepare ourselves to listen to His voice. Together we listened to the Scriptures, aided by materials such as dioramas and 3D figures specially designed to help the children meditate upon God’s Word. The children also chose their own individual or small group “works”, which ranged from simple tasks such as watering plants or dusting tables to multi-week projects such as making a simplified version of the Roman Missal used at Mass or creating a model of the empty tomb.  

In the atrium, children are allowed to savor the great mysteries of our Faith and to deepen in them over the years. One of my favorite moments was when a second grader, brought back once again to the Good Shepherd materials, kept crying out: “I’m the special sheep! I’m the special sheep!” Another highlight was witnessing the delight of two first graders who had drawn and glued together a large Jesus on the cross. When their work was complete, they enlisted the help of two more friends to lovingly carry Jesus through the halls and up to their classroom as if they were leading a Eucharistic procession. Jesus, the Good Shepherd, calls the children of Blessed Sacrament School and each one of us to listen to His voice and to respond by following Him closely and offering Him our heartfelt cries and the work of our hands. 

Our eighth graders had their last day today. Following a photo shoot in caps and gowns and a brief practice, we headed over to the Cathedral. We enjoyed Mass with Bishop Conley and all the Lincoln Catholic School’s soon-to-be graduates. I look forward to our graduation festivities this Friday evening!   

In Jesus our Eucharistic King, 

Sister Marie Caritas, CK