As Catholics, we believe we are united by the one true Catholic faith, and that whatever happens to one Catholic community happens to us all.
In York County, several elementary schools lived that value on Thursday, September 4, when students were not just permitted but encouraged to dress in yellow, blue or pink, the school colors of Annunciation Catholic School in Minneapolis, where two students were killed and 18 others wounded on August 27. Three parishioners were also injured in the attack.
Melissa Preston, principal at St. Joseph School in York, organized with other area elementary schools for the Annunciation Day of Prayer and Solidarity. “The events at Annunciation really hit home for me as a principal at a Catholic school. My students mean the world to me and I want to do everything I can to protect and support them,” she said.
“When we heard of the shooting we immediately turned to prayer. Our school community gathers every morning to pray together and we added the Annunciation community to our prayer intentions. Our intention goes as follows; ‘For your presence and comfort to surround the community of Annunciation Catholic School in Minneapolis. Give them strength and a path to healing and peace,’” she added.
Across town, John Scimeca, principal of Holy Trinity School in York, said: “At Holy Trinity, we are saddened by the tragic events of the shooting at Annunciation Catholic School and Parish in Minneapolis. As fellow Catholic elementary schools, we want to visibly show our solidarity with Annunciation’s students, teachers and families by dressing in their school colors. We will also continue to pray for consolation for all those affected, and I’m glad that our Catholic schools in the York Deanery are participating in doing this together.”
Leyna Rozon, mother of fifth-grader Michael and sixth-grader Nicholas, said, “Having our kids wear the school colors is more than just spirit wear; it’s a statement of solidarity and compassion. It’s a way of saying we support one another, and it’s also our hope and prayer that no family, no school, ever has to go through something like this again.”
The day following the shooting, Preston provided some statements for the teachers to share with students if they brought up the topic. St. Joe’s older students in fifth and sixth grade added the Annunciation community to their classroom prayer intentions.
“I thought that having our students and staff dress in the colors of Annunciation’s logo would be a way to show our support and solidarity with their school and parish community. This morning, I explained to our students that even though it is fun to have a dress-down day, we are doing this for a very special reason as we remember the Annunciation Community in prayer,” Preston said.
Sharon Johnston, principal of St. Rose of Lima School in Thomasville, said, “The students of St. Rose of Lima Elementary School held a prayer service at the start of the day on Thursday, September. 4. We prayed for peace in our world and talked about ways they could think beyond themselves and spread empathy and peace for those who were affected by this violence. My goal was to empower our children to be agents of change. Often, children feel powerless when they hear about tragedies such as what happened in Minneapolis. Participating in a prayer service gives them a sense of active contribution to spreading peace.”
St. John the Baptist School in New Freedom participated in this day to show unity among the Deanery schools and also all Catholic schools in the nation, said principal Michelle Williams.
“As a principal, I told the students to keep Annunciation School in their prayers as they had a tragedy and to pray for all Catholic schools to have a good school year. I did not get into what exactly happened…. We also talked about and reviewed exits in the church after our school Mass,” she added.
Teachers at the schools were proud to see their students stand in solidarity with students they’ve never met and don’t know.
“When our students dress in the colors of Annunciation, they are doing far more than participating in a school activity. They are bearing witness to the truth that, as Catholics, we are one body in Christ. By honoring the memory of the Annunciation students, our children are learning that even small acts—such as the choice of what we wear—can become powerful signs of love, faith and unity,” said Cici Pleitex, fifth-grade teacher at Holy Trinity. “As St. Paul reminds us in Romans 12:15, ‘Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep.’ In their simple yet meaningful action, our students show that we do not carry sorrow or joy alone, but together, as a community of believers, always rooted in hope and God’s enduring presence.”
“I’m very proud of how we’re uniting as Catholic schools and shedding light on the unfortunate situation in Minneapolis. Our students are proud to show their support for their Catholic family. I love that our school community is able to stand by and support each other through difficult times,” said Carlie Sartiano, sixth-grade teacher at Holy Trinity.
At St. Rose of Lima, Catie Skehan, second-grade teacher, said, “The compassion and support shown by the children of St. Rose of Lima Elementary School was beautiful. Even at a young age, children understand we are one Catholic family. I know the Annunciation family can feel our love and prayers surrounding them as they navigate the aftermath of this terrible tragedy.”
(Lauren Gross is the PTO Treasurer for Holy Trinity School in York. Photos courtesy of the York Deanery schools.)
By Lauren Gross, Special to The Witness
