Celebrating Catholic Schools Week, Bishop Timothy Senior made his first visit to Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary Church in McSherrystown to celebrate Holy Mass on January 28 for the students of St. Teresa of Calcutta School’s McSherrystown campus, located behind the church. After Mass, Bishop Senior visited grades 3-8 in the school building before traveling a couple of miles up Church Street to visit students in PreK through second grade at their campus at the Basilica of the Sacred Heart of Jesus in Conewago.
The day also marked the Feast Day of St. Thomas Aquinas – a 13th century Italian – who is widely known for his devotion to the Eucharist and as one the great theologians in the history of Catholicism.
Concelebrating Holy Mass with Bishop Senior were Father Richard Lyons, pastor of Annunciation; Father Dwight Schlaline, pastor of the Basilica of the Sacred Heart of Jesus; and Father Keith Carroll, pastor, Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary Parish in New Oxford.
“I am so blessed and what a joy it is to be here at this wonderful school, my first visit,” Bishop Senior said to the teachers and student body. “I want to sincerely thank the priests, teachers, students and benefactors of this school for all the hard work and devotion that goes into making this school great.”
The second-grade students performed their Christmas song rendition for Bishop Senior, while students in the other grades asked him questions during his visit. The bishop also asked the students questions, and he shared with several classes his vocation story while urging the students to consider pursuing a vocation to the priesthood or consecrated life after they finish high school.
“What is your favorite thing about St. Teresa School?” Bishop Senior asked a third-grader. “I like everything about my school, Bishop Senior,” the boy answered.
(Photos by Chris Heisey, The Catholic Witness.)
By Chris Heisey, The Catholic Witness
