Juniors honored at St. Bernard Prep

Twenty-eight juniors at St. Bernard Preparatory School in Cullman were honored during a special Blessing of the Rings Ceremony held in the Ave Maria Grotto Gardens. Abbot Cletus Meagher, OSB offered a special prayer for the group that they would continue to progress as students and become effective leaders of the community, especially as Seniors in the coming academic year 2010-2011.

Abbot Cletus, a 1962 graduate of St. Bernard Prep, spoke of his class ring as part of the ceremony. “My ring is blue and gold which is the colors of the Blessed Virgin Mary. When I entered the monastery, I gave my ring to my mother. At the death of my parents, my brothers returned my ring to me.” He further stated the ring was symbolic of St. Bernard school colors blue and gold and everthing on his ring was unique to Saint Bernard.

Abbot Cletus said rings were a symbol of eternity. “God is eternal. He is the source and goal of everything we do. Your class ring symbolizes your love of St. Bernard Prep to one another, and is unique to you and St. Bernard. Wear it with dignity and pride.“

St. Bernard Prep School Headmaster, Fr. Joel Martin, O.S.B. assisted Abbot Cletus during the ceremony.

St. Bernard is a private co-educational day and boarding school for grades 7-12 operated by the Benedictine monks of St. Bernard Abbey. To view photos of the ceremony visit our website and click flickr or like us on facebook. www.stbernardprep.com.

Bloomin’ Festival picture perfect

Weather conditions for the 26th Annual Bloomin’ Festival produced a picture perfect weekend for the St. Bernard Abbey and Prep School community in Cullman. Thousands of visitors took advantage of the low 70’s temperatures and enjoyed the weekend browsing the quality arts and crafts produced by artisans across the Southeastern United States.

Festival Director Joyce Nix was thrilled with the turnout. “We have worked so hard to create a quality show with a family atmosphere. The weather certainly contributed to the success of our work.“

More than 150 vendors adorned the grounds of St. Bernard Abbey and Prep School. Parents, faculty, staff and students volunteered the entire weekend to work the festival.

City police were on hand to assist with traffic control and parking. “Everything went like clockwork, “Nix said. “We appreciate the assistance from Mayor Townsend and Chief Culpepper.”

Nix said without sponsorships Bloomin’ Festival would struggle. “We are so thankful for our sponsors, and we encourage the public to let them know how much their support of Bloomin’ Festival is appreciated. “ For a complete listing, visit the festival website at www.bloominfestival.com.

Winners of the grand prize giveaway were as follows: 2010 Ford Focus, Marianne Prime of Shoal Creek, AL; 2 nights at Zoder’s Inn in Gatlinburg, TN, Steffen Segewitz of Huntsville, AL; Apple iPod Touch, Joseph Nam Tran, Cullman; Garmin GPS Navigation System, Loretta S. Blaylock, Gardendale, AL; and the Phillips Digital Photo frame was won by Marie Hollaway, of Cullman.

All proceeds from Bloomin’ Festival benefit the operations of St. Bernard Preparatory School in Cullman. See what people are saying about Bloomin’ Festival on Facebook www.facebook/bloominfestival. For more information about St. Bernard Prep visit www.stbernardprep.com or follow us on facebook www.facebook/stbernardprep.

Bloomin' Festival plans set for April 17-18

Plans are being finalized now to welcome more than 150 artist and craftsmen to the campus os St. Bernard Abbey and Prep School for the 26th Annual Bloomin' Festival Arts and Crafts Fair. The show is set to feature blacksmiths, chair caner, glass blowers, and potters. Other items available are birdhouses, quilts, plants, jewelry, clothing, watercolors, oil painting, caricature artist, and so much more.

A 5K race will begin on April 17 at 8 a.m. Runners wishing to participate should register before 7:30 a.m. at the Fazi-Richard Athletic Complex.

Specialty foods can be purchased on site. Funnel cakes, strawberry waffles, and fresh squeezed lemonade are just a sampling of tasty treats. Roasted almonds, kettle corn, peanut brittle, fudge and shaved ice will be available as well.

The lunch menu consists of polish sausage dogs, hot dogs, hamburgers, and smoked chicken served with baked beans, corn on the cob, bread, and Pepsi products.

Ave Maria Grotto is open the entire weekend for a reduced price of $3. A donation of $5 is requested at the festival gate.

The giveaway of a 2010 Ford Focus along with a Gatlingburg vacation and many other valuable prizes will be awarded on Sunday at 5 p.m.

Festival hours are 9 am to 5 p.m. daily. Become a fan on facebook.

Blood drive held at SBP

Student Council President, Louis YuTiamco, was pleased with the American Red Cross Blood Drive held last Thursday. Thirty-four people, most of which were first time donors, presented thirty-one pints of blood for the American Red Cross.

Tennis wins first section match of season

The SBP Boys' Tennis Team won their first section match of the season yesterday over Westminster Christian of Huntsville, 5-4. Winners included #1 doubles team of Louis Yutiamco and Jake Killebrew (10-4) and #3 and currently undefeated team of JC Albritton and Minsang Kim, 10-6.

Winners in singles play were #1 Louis Yutaimco, extending his own unbeaten string, 10-3, #4 Ethan Arndt, winning his first match of the year, 10-7, and in #6 singles, Minsang Kim, 10-4.

The Saints travel to the UAH tennis complex today to face 3A foe, Catholic of Huntsville.