Preparing For First Communion Together

Published: May 5, 2005

MARIETTA—Approximately 280 students, parent volunteers and teachers from St. Catherine of Siena School, Kennesaw, St. Joseph School, Marietta, Queen of Angels School, Roswell, and St. Mary School, Rome, came together April 13 for the fifth annual Jesus Day Retreat, a day of fun, sharing and reflection for second-graders preparing to make their first Communion.

Held in St. Joseph Church, the day kicked off with a prayer service of music and a message from St. Joseph pastor Father Paul Berny. He told the second-graders that through the Eucharist Jesus gives himself to them under the appearance of bread and wine. Father Berny said, “We share in the life of Jesus through the Eucharist.”

St. Joseph School parent volunteers Paula Paglioni, Collette Wright, Misty Wright, Joan Lavin and Maricelis Armstrong coordinated the half-day retreat.

Haley Tam of Queen of Angels School, Roswell, stirs the ingredients for the pretzel-making activity as her classmates wait their turn. (Photos by Michael Alexander)

Anna Kate Johnson of St. Mary School, Rome, colors her Jesus Day Retreat chef hat and apron.

During a Jesus Day Retreat activity St. Joseph second-graders Erin Leavell, left, and Kelly Miles color some of the sacred images and symbols of the Catholic Church.

Michael Witting of St. Catherine of Siena School, Kennesaw, stretches and rolls the pretzel dough during an activity at the fifth annual Jesus Day Retreat, April 13.

(Right): Eight-year-old Nicholas Casaburri of St. Catherine of Siena Church, Kennesaw, listens to the caller during a game of “Communion Bingo.”