A webpage by Becky M.

January 9, 2003

Link to October Article: Church & School

(IHM Parish and Parish School)			Here at IHM there are many different ways to serve God at our Friday all school masses. WE have masses every Friday at 9:30 and on Holy Days. This web page is about some ways the students of IHM volunteer to help God and others.
One way to help in the mass is to be a reader (lector). Each week students are chosen to read the first reading or general intercessions at the Friday mass. They practice before the mass. These students have to be able to speak loud and clear so that everyone can understand what they say.
Another way is to become an Altar Server. In fifth grade, boys and girls from the parish can train to be servers. Once they are trained, they are scheduled to serve masses on Fridays, Sundays, and Holy Days, as well as regular weekday services. They are also occasionally called to serve for weddings and funerals. Altar servers wear white robes. They help the priest with mass by doing things like carrying the cross, lighting and extinguishing candles, and getting things the priest might need. At the end of the year, all the servers are invited to an Akron Aeros game as thanks for all their help.		(Servers at Friday mass on 1/9/03)
Some students can become cantors. Mrs. Depew, the music teacher, practices with students, in fifth grade or higher, who want to lead their classmates in singing at mass. They practice during their recesses and before masses on Fridays. Sometimes a student who can sing really well is allowed to sing a solo during mass. The cantors usually sing as a group of three or four.
(Mary D. and Alex P. carry up the offertory gifts)		Every week, a class chooses something to collect for the offertory gifts. Students are chosen to carry the baskets of things up to the altar on Friday. Some items that are often collected are things for babies, toys for poor children, supplies for the Ronald McDonald House in Akron, school stuff for children who can’t afford them, and supplies for American military troops. This week the eighth grade collected games for soldiers in Afghanistan.
Some students participate in the Junior Legion of Mary. This is an after school program in which students can help their community. Children who participate in the Junior Legion of Mary donate money and make rosaries for people in homeless shelters, nursing homes, and for second graders making their first communion.
Students at IHM can receive three sacraments: Reconciliation, Eucharist, and Confirmation. After a long year of preparation, second graders make their First Reconciliation and First Eucharist in the months of April and May. Every year, during Advent and Lent, several priests from the area come to IHM for a prayer service, after which all students grades 3-8 can receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Eighth graders are all waiting for February 15, the date set for them to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation. They are learning everything they need to know in class with Mrs. Falanga.	(Jenny R., Maria B., and Robert D prepare the altar)
(Jenny R., Mary D. and Michaela G. wash dishes, with Mrs. Phelps’ help)	Even if someone isn’t as server, cantor, gift bearer, or reader, they still have many ways they can participate in mass. Singing at church is a great way to be involved.
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