To begin Catholic Schools Week 2020, Washington Archbishop Wilton Gregory celebrated Mass Jan. 26 at St. Andrew Apostle Parish, Silver Spring, encouraging parishioners and school families alike to be “Disciples for Christ” in proclaiming the Good News of the Gospel.
“We are all asked to share our knowledge and love of Christ with others. We are today’s disciples, to be fishers of others,” said Archbishop Gregory in his homily during the Sunday morning liturgy. This year’s Catholic Schools Week theme is “Catholic Schools: Learn. Serve. Lead. Succeed.”
Reflecting on Sunday’s Gospel (Matthew 4:12-23) in which Jesus calls brother fishermen Peter and Andrew to follow Him, Archbishop Gregory said, “And so it began, (he chose) ordinary laborers, and that has not changed in 2,000 years.”
He said Jesus continues to “harvest the kingdom,” summoning everyday folks from all ages and all walks of life, asking them to take on the same task as His original disciples – sharing with people the Gospel of charity, hope and mercy.
“Jesus delights in selecting random characters like you and me who are willing to leave the boats and nets we once considered our only means of sustenance...He says,
‘Come follow me’ and bring along a few dozen more,” said Archbishop Gregory.
St. Andrew School students participated in the Mass as lectors, altar servers and by bringing up the offertory gifts. Wearing their school uniforms, the children’s choir, made up of 83 students in grades 4-8, led the faithful in several hymns throughout the Mass, including a communion meditation Spanish-language Marian hymn, “Madre, Eres, Ternura.”
“Thank you Archbishop Gregory. It means a lot to our community (for you to celebrate this Mass) as we begin Catholic Schools Week,” said Father Dan Leary, pastor of St. Andrew’s Parish. “The choir adds a beautiful grace. The kids did a beautiful job and are learning to glorify God by song.”
The St. Andrew’s School Children’s Choir recently won the 97.1 WASH-FM Christmas Choir Competition. For their rendition of “O Come, All Ye Faithful,” the choir came in first place in the middle/elementary school category. The $2,500 prize will be used to support the school’s music program, as well allow the school to make a donation to World Villages for Children, a charity founded by Venerable Father Al Schwartz, a missionary priest and native of Washington, D.C., that supports educational outreach to impoverished boys and girls around the world.
Theresa Trigiani, the parish music director and children’s choir director, said winning the radio contest was a great honor for the school kids who competed against choirs from large area public schools. “They had the manpower, but we had the God power,” said Trigiani, who teaches music at St Andrew’s and is also a school parent.
On what makes St. Andrew’s a special place, she said, “We are truly Christ-centered and we bring everything to prayer. We try to teach the children to think beyond themselves and to be another Christ to others.”
