TODAY WE SHARE ANOTHER EXPERIENCE SENT FROM SPAIN. THIS ONE COMES FROM COLEGIO LESTONNAC, BADALONA, CATALUÑA
With the theme, “Fem cadena amb Maria” (“Making a chain with Mary”) in Colegio Lestonnac, Badalona we celebrated the past 20th of November the feast of the Presentation of Mary.
The celebration had a double objective: the participation of the entire school community in this feast and becoming aware that, like Mary, we have certain qualities that make us special. So as to accomplish our goal we suggested making a chain where everyone would be respresented. The celebration consisted in coming together in the school patio to connect the chain that had been previously prepared. A brief introduction on the origin of the feast and the person of Mary served as the opening words for the ritual of joining the “chain.” It was
beautiful to see how the school community, consisting of persons from different backgrounds, were UNITED with MARY.
The activities took place together with the students, the teachers and supportive staff.
The children in the pre-school made flowers to offer Mary and each class created their chain with the name of each student. They participated in a simple, but moving, celebration in the school chapel.
The students of the Primary grades focused their work on Mary. Those in the first and second levels on the life of Mary and her qualities; beginning with the Power Point “Child Mary,” they reflected on the virtues and attitudes of Mary. Then they created a chain in each class with the name of each student and a quality (this was previously agreed upon with the whole group). The third level worked on the meaning of the feast in the Company of Mary with the Power Point “Child Mary 21st of November” and they, too, made their chain with the name of each student and a quality descriptive of each one.
In the ESO level, together with the meaning of the feast, the participated in a reflection using the video “Physically challenged kids running race”: What can you do to help people around you? In some classes the activity was held in English. The result was expressed in the chain created by each group. The group that worked in English were able to share their experience with Notre Dame School in Cobham, England. Photos were shared on how the feast was celebrated in each school. It was very enriching for all.
The teachers and supportive staff came together to participate in a similar dynamic, working in groups, in which they had to agree on a characteristic quality for each of the members. This experience is worth repeating!
FOR FURTHER REFLECTION ON THE TOPIC
Two gestures stand out in this celebration: create a chain and recognize the qualities of Mary and our own.
- Chains that unite: the students among themselves, the different groups in the school, one school with another…. What gestures, signs, actions… speak of building unity and creating bonds in our reality? How can we assure that these chains of unity can take place on a daily basis?
- Recognizing our personal gifts makes us aware of the responsibility we have to put them at the service of others. How do we recognize our personal qualities and those of the people around us? Will looking at Mary help me?
- Choose three people from those around you and share with them the most important qualities you see in them.
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