St. Vincent School honors Pope John Paul II

St. Vincent de Paul School

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Courtesy of St. Vincent de Paul School

SALT LAKE CITY — Saint Vincent de Paul students celebrated a special Mass on Oct. 22 that honored Blessed Pope John Paul II.

Students in 2nd and 5th grades processed into the church with posters they had made that highlighted his life. Hearing what each poster represented allowed the students to relate to Blessed John Paul II as they learned that he was a normal person who skied, swam, played soccer and enjoyed school.

During the homily, Father John Norman, pastor, spoke about John Paul II’s life and that he will be canonized this spring. He told the students he has a special fondness for him because he had met John Paul II when studying in Rome to be a priest.

Fr. Norman said he also was an altar server for John Paul II during two Masses. In addition he highlighted the Pope’s humbleness and willingness to help the poor.

During the Mass, students had a special collection for Mayan Families, a small non-profit in Guatemala that helps and runs programs to support and help Mayan people with education, medical clinics, business loans and elderly care. In October, Karren Bertola, who volunteers for the non-profit, visited the school and spoke to each grade, showed a video and talked about the charity. Students raised $877, which will purchase 40 "Christmas Tamale Baskets" for the Mayan people.

At the end of Mass, the St. Vincent de Paul School community held its traditional Bible ceremony, during which each 5thgrader received a personalized Bible that will be used throughout their remaining years at the school.