Local News Archive

Print Issue: September 5, 2002

Patriotic Colors And Prayer Services Will Mark Students' 9-11 Remembrances

By Erika Anderson, Staff Writer

ATLANTA - Out of uniform red white and blue patriotic days, special prayer services, and the recognition of firefighters will be a part of ceremonies as students and faculty throughout the archdiocese commemorate the tragic events of Sept. 11.

The following is a list of some of the events going on during the day:

Christ the King School, Atlanta

Will begin the day by gathering at the flagpole for prayers.
During a 9 a.m. Mass, they will form a prayer chain.
A foundation platform for a school-made Statue of Liberty was formed from paper bricks signed by each student, promising to work for peace.
Classrooms and grade levels will focus the day on various topics related to Sept. 11, such as peace, liberty and ordinary heroes who became extraordinary by serving others.

The Donnellan School, Atlanta

Having an out of uniform day -kids will wear red, white and blue.
Ninth graders will do special announcements over the PA and will lead a flag raising ceremony in the courtyard.

Holy Redeemer School, Alpharetta

Will have a patriotic Power Point presentation and a moment of silence. Bells will be rung at 9:03 a.m. Eighth grade students will carry candles to a table filled with memories of Sept. 11
Father Linus DeSantis, OFM Conv., will celebrate a remembrance Mass and each hour of the day, a parent or faculty or staff member will give their personal experiences of Sept. 11 via closed circuit television in each classroom.

Immaculate Heart of Mary School, Atlanta

Students will have an out of uniform day and will wear red, white and blue.
They will have a prayer service of remembrance.
Students have made an American Flag out of construction paper and can write their thoughts about Sept. 11.

Our Lady of the Assumption School, Atlanta

Will hold a prayer service based on guidelines from the National Catholic Education Association. Prayer service will begin with a moment of silence at 9:03 a.m. Boy and Girl Scouts will present the flag.
Father Jim McGoldrick, pastor of OLA Church, will facilitate the prayer service and provide short reflection.
Eighth graders will light candles and hymns and prayers will be connected to peace.

Our Lady of Victory School, Tyrone

Each student donated 50 cents for the purchase of a tree that will be planted on Sept. 11. A prayer service centered around new life and new beginnings will be held.

Pinecrest Academy, Cumming

A Mass of Remembrance will be held in the morning of Sept. 11 for parents, faculty, staff and students.

Queen of Angels School, Roswell

Students from Queen of Angels will join Blessed Trinity High School students for a prayer service. A first grade student from Queen of Angels will sing "God Bless America."
Queen of Angels started praying a novena Sept. 3 centering on the Beatitudes and offering a different intention for victims of Sept. 11 each day until the anniversary.

St. Catherine of Siena School, Kennesaw

Will join the parish at the 9 a.m. Mass.
Following the Mass, they will gather at the flagpole for a prayer service.

St. John the Evangelist, Hapeville

Will hold a prayer service at 6:30 p.m., prior to their Parent to Parent meeting.

St. John Neumann School, Lilburn

A special "Prayer Table" will be set up in the foyer with a candle, a binder containing all the names of the Sept. 11 victims and a prayer card.
A Mass with the theme of hope and peace will be held at 9:15 a.m.
School will say the Pledge of Allegiance at noon.

St. Joseph School, Athens

Will hold an all school special Mass in remembrance of Sept. 11 at 8:30 a.m.

St. Joseph School, Marietta

Students will have an out of uniform day and will wear red, white and blue.
Will have a "living rosary" at 8:30 a.m.

St. Jude the Apostle School, Atlanta

Will hold a small prayer service during which a fireman will take up a collection of donations from students.
Students will be given red, white and blue ribbons by the school's PTA.

St. Mary School, Rome

Will hold a prayer service led by a parent who is a police detective.

St. Peter Claver, Decatur

Will hold a prayer service led by Sts. Peter and Paul pastor, Father Kevin Peek.

St. Thomas More School, Decatur

Will hold a prayer service.
Third graders will sing at an interfaith service at Decatur First Christian Church.

Our Lady of Mercy High School, Fairburn

Will hold a special Mass for peace at 10:30 a.m. During the Mass, members of the various armed forces will attend.
During the offertory procession, there will be a wreath-laying ceremony, with three wreaths in honor of New York, Washington and Pennsylvania. A commemorative painting in memory of Sept. 11 painted by art teacher Luciana Lazzarino will also be on display.

St. Pius X High School, Atlanta

Will hold a special prayer service to mark the day in the school's stadium. The St. Pius band will play the Star Spangled Banner as members of the fire department walk to the flag pole out by the score board and raise the flag.
During the service, there will be a moment of silence. A student will play "Amazing Grace" on the bagpipes, another will play TAPS on the bugle.
When students go to homeroom they will receive a prayer card especially ordered for this day, and the whole school will say this prayer at the opening of announcements. Students will also receive a small red, white and blue ribbon top pin to their shirt collars.