As West Seneca schools began a new year of study, Bishop Michael W. Fisher came to Queen of Heaven to bless one of the most important tools of elementary students – their backpacks.
Bishop Fisher read from the Book of Sirach, which offered some affirmations and good advice for students.
“If you wish, you can be taught. If you apply yourself, you will be shrewd. If you are willing to listen, you will learn. If you give heed, you will be wise. Be in the company of others. Whoever is wise, stay close to them. Be eager to hear every divine discourse. Let no wise saying escape you. Reflect on the laws of the Lord. Let the Commandments be your constant guide. He will enlighten your mind, and the wisdom you desire, He will bring.”
Continuing, the bishop said, “Lord, bless these backpacks and the children who use and carry them as they begin yet another year of school. Give them peace when they get nervous, focus when they feel distracted, energy when they feel tired. Open their minds to the lessons they will learn both inside and outside the classroom. Help them to make friends and build one another up and be friends with those who need them. Guide them making good choices as they grow in wisdom and maturity. Be ever present with them in the classroom, on the school bus, on the playground, and at home. And may they feel Your loving care in all they do. May God bless all of you and all who are gathered here in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen.”
The Sept. 5 visit included a tour through most of the pre-K through 8’s classrooms, where Bishop Fisher asked the students about their summer vacations and told them about his days at a Scout camp in New Mexico.
The 67-year-old school will launch two new initiatives this year – a peer mentoring program and an expansion of its campus ministry program.
“We have a teacher mentor program that is for our fifth through eighth grade that’s going to happen twice a week to get them ready for, eventually high school, but having all of those executive functioning skills – social, emotional check ins,” explained Principal Mary Damico.
Teachers will lead the students to be peer mentors for each other. This is expected to help fifth graders prepare for the big jump to middle school and the eighth graders get ready for the bigger jump to high school.
Bridget Herod was hired as the new religion teacher for third through fifth grades. She will work with Tim Neel, the junior high religion teacher, to continue the campus ministry program.
“I’m very excited for all the things that he and she are planning this year,” Damico said.
The larger community plays a big part in the success of the Q, as the West Seneca school is commonly known. Parents showed up to witness the blessing of the backpacks and share a breakfast on the first day, and alumni stay involved decades after graduating.
“Our alumni are really excited about the school and are supportive,” said Father Gregory Faulhaber, moderator of Family of Parishes #7. “The class of 1969 is having a special Mass coming up in a couple of weeks. It’s a family environment I think. People are supportive of the whole parish. The school is very connected to the parish.”
Father Ryan Keating is starting his second full year as chaplain of Queen of Heaven School. He has plans to guide the students through the church and explain the roles of the various parts of the building.
“I’m really looking forward to collaborating with the religion teachers this year,” he said. “We have some plans for doing church tours for lower grades and also collaborating with the religion teacher for the older grades to teach some different forms of prayer. More than anything (my role) is a ministry of presence and being available to students and teachers.”
Before leaving, Bishop Fisher reminded the eighth graders that he will see them at a special Mass at St. Joseph Cathedral on Oct. 22.