Diocese of Covington - Messenger at 402 E. 21st Street, Covington, KY 41015 US - St. Paul students rediscover teachings of patron
|
St. Paul students rediscover teachings of patron Laura Keener Assistant Editor |
 |
As the 2007-2008 school year was coming to a close, teachers at St. Paul School, Florence, began research to develop a theme for the 2008-2009 school year. Pope Benedict XVI had declared a jubilee year, June 25, 2008–June 25, 2009, celebrating the 2000th birthday of St. Paul. The teachers knew they wanted to actively participate in their patron’s jubilee year and wanted the school theme to reflect that. But with St. Paul as the author of much of the New Testament, what to choose?
“We hear something from St. Paul almost every Sunday. We just don’t realize it,” said Connie Aylor, third-grade teacher.
Ms. Aylor and fourth-grade teacher Leslie Larking sat down with the <<<Messenger>>> after school Sept. 12 to talk about this year’s school theme and the projects they and their colleagues have developed to teach the children more about St. Paul. Both were impressed with the research that was done and excited about the new program. They said the other teachers are equally excited about the theme that comes from the fifth chapter of the Letter of St. Paul to the Galatians in which he enunciates the fruits of the Spirit.
“I’m really excited about this and about this theme, I think because it’s so personal and original,” said Ms. Aylor.
Each month during the school year students will focus on one of the fruits of the spirit — love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Ms. Larking said there is a plethora of everyday items and decorations that use a word or image echoing the fruits of the Spirit. There are things everywhere — online, at Target, at Cracker Barrel.
“It must be the year for the fruits of the Spirit. It’s odd but it seems that maybe everyone is in tune,” she said.
St. Paul is known as the apostle of the gentiles, since he spent much of his time traveling throughout Greece and Asia Minor spreading the good news of Jesus. The junior high students are mapping his travels. When he wasn’t able to travel — as a result of his preaching St. Paul spent a good amount of time in prisons — he continued evangelizing through letters. St. Paul students are focusing on this important evangelizing mission by sending letters to other students at St. Paul schools throughout the country.
With a Google search Ms. Larking found 23 St. Paul schools spanning from coast to coast in the United States. They currently have four confirmed partnerships. In fact, her class is pen pals with a St. Paul School on Dixie Highway in Louisville, Ky.
“Other than communicating and learning what other St. Paul students are doing throughout the country, it gives the focus to letter-writing skills and practicing letter writing. More than that, it’s just good for them to realize there are other people out there like us,” Ms. Aylor said.
The students are also keeping a fruits of the Spirit “travel planner.” Each month they will write down how they experienced that month’s fruit of the Spirit and keep that in their folder.
The early part of the school focused on St. Paul’s conversion. Saul, they say, was the ultimate bully. This coincides with a special guest speaker, Dr. Arthur Shriberg from Xavier University, who will talk to the students about bullying.
“We’ve set St. Paul up as the ultimate bully and are talking about his conversion. St. Paul is a marvelous example of how someone can change,” Ms. Aylor said.
As in years past, local food pantries and other charitable organizations in the community will continue to benefit from the fruits of St. Paul School. The teachers will continue monthly food drives just like in years past, but this year they will have a deeper understanding of how these charitable acts are indeed the fruits of the gifts they received from the Holy Spirit.
“By focusing on his life and seeing how other people are learning about him, we’ve come to realize what a great patron we have,” said Ms. Aylor.
If your parish or school has an upcoming event celebrating the Jubilee Year of St. Paul, let us know by sending an e-mail to messenger@covingtondiocese.org. Photos of past events can also be sent.