The end of October & beginning of November has had our students thinking about pumpkins, costumes, candy, saints, & souls! From our school-wide Trunk or Treat night, to the annual Pumpkin Carving Party at Spoth’s sponsored by Dengler, Roberts, & Perna Funeral Home, to our All Saints Day celebrations put on by the 3rd grade class - we’ve been celebrating & honoring this season.
Halloween, All Saints Day, and All Souls Day make up "Hallowtide" and commemorate the following:
• October 31 – All Hallows’ Eve (Halloween): Traditionally acts as a penitential vigil and time of prayer in preparation for All Saints’ Day. It marks the eve when the faithful prepare to honor the holy men and women of heaven.
• November 1 – All Saints’ Day: A major feast (solemnity) that honors all the saints and martyrs in heaven—both those formally canonized by the Church and the countless others enjoying eternal life with God.
• November 2 – All Souls’ Day: A day to commemorate all the faithful departed who have died and are undergoing purification before entering heaven. Catholics offer prayers, sacrifices, and Masses for these souls.
In honor of All Saints Day this coming weekend, our third grade class, under the instruction of religion teacher Mrs. Katie Bishop, led the faithful in the liturgy dressed as various Saints. Father Tom reminded us in his homily at Mass today that we are all called to sainthood and heaven!
Annually, our SMS third graders complete "Saint Projects", during which they choose a saint to research, create a costume, complete a report on the life of their chosen saint, as well as draw a portrait of their saint. Some of the saints we learned about from our third graders today included: St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, St. Michael, St. Margaret Mary, St. Blaise, St. Thomas, St. Faustina, & more.
To see more photos of the wonderful costumes from our third graders click here.
The third graders did a wonderful job presenting on their saints after Mass, and enjoyed a brief reception with their families afterwards. Their saint portraits were also on display for all to see in the school hallway. Great job third grade, and Happy Hallowtide!