Students at St. Bernard Prep School celebrated Mass recently during the school’s Annual Ecumenical Thanksgiving Service. Traditionally each year St. Bernard students and staff are given the opportunity to invite clergy representing their various congregations and religious traditions.
Fourteen ministers from the area took part in the service composed of prayers, psalms, scripture readings and hymns, and students offer thanks and petitions to God as they lay symbols of their lives before the altar.
The Rev. Michael Deering, St. Elizabeth Anne Seton Church, Gardendale; St. Henry’s Church, Warrior presented the sermon . Father Deering’s homily reminded students of the importance of giving thanks.
“In today’s world an act of kindness leads to gratitude which earns respect,” Deering said. “Take time to give thanks for everything and especially the farmers who planted the potatoes for your thanksgiving dinner, the truck drivers for their prompt delivery to your grocery store, and especially to the host preparing the dinner.”
The St. Bernard Choral Ensemble under the direction of Dr. Rebecca Whited took part in the service.
The service was followed by a dinner for all guests, students, faculty and staff. The guest clergymen were served by the students.
St. Bernard Prep Headmaster, Fr. Joel Martin, O.S.B. said, “This is an opportunity for all of us in the school community to give thanks to God for the many gifts we have received, and to do so along with those pastors, ministers and priests who are so important in the lives of our students. These men and women are very busy, so we are all impressed with and grateful for their taking time to join us.”
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