“My name is Lucas Barthel. I am 10 years old and originally from Antigo, Wisconsin. This is my first year at Blessed Sacrament School. It is a great school. The teachers are very kind, and I am learning a lot. My favorite subject is science. I love to draw, and I even play the piano. I am an altar server, so if there are any Masses that you need help in, remember that I am here to serve.” - Lucas Barthel, fifth grade, Blessed Sacrament School, Washington, D.C.
After Archbishop Wilton Gregory was announced as the new archbishop of Washington, one of the first things he did was visit St. Anthony Catholic School in Washington to meet the students there. Since he was installed as archbishop at the end of the 2018-2019 school year, students in Archdiocese of Washington Catholic schools and parishes were invited to draw self-portraits to introduce themselves to their new shepherd.
“My name is Holly and I like cats, which most people in my class do not. I like to draw and make things with my friends and family.” - Holly Mott, sixth grade, St. Columba School, Oxon Hill, Maryland
“My name is Sofia Cuadra. I am 12 years old. I am in sixth grade at St. John the Evangelist Catholic School in Clinton...I've been serving the Church as an altar server ever since I was 9 years old. I am an energetic, nice person with lots of friends.” - Sofia Cuadra, sixth grade, St. John the Evangelist Catholic School, Clinton, Maryland“Hello, my name is Eden, and I am a sixth grade student at St. Jude Regional Catholic School. I am strong in my Catholic faith, I altar serve at the Shrine of St. Jude, and participate in many after school activities. I am so happy that you will be our new archbishop of Washington. Have fun, and never forget the person up above that keeps you going, God.” - Eden Tewodros, sixth grade, St. Jude Regional Catholic School, Rockville, Maryland
“I'm thankful that God created me, because if He hadn't I wouldn't be able to celebrate my faith. I know my faith is very important, because it lets me go to church and learn about God. I know I can trust God when I am in doubt.” - Julia Palor, sixth grade, St. Columba School, Oxon Hill, Maryland
“My name is Ayo Funsho, and I am in the eighth grade. I do well in school, and my favorite subject is mathematics. I will be going to high school next year, and I am very excited. I hope you will like your new position as archbishop. I know that being a priest and being archbishop are very different, but I’m sure you will do a great job leading us.” - Ayo Funsho, eighth grade, St. Pius X Regional School, Bowie, Maryland
“My name is Jordyn, and I am in sixth grade at a Catholic school. I love drawing and writing and want to become an astronomer or an illustrator when I grow up. I always believe that as long as you try your best, (whether it leads to) failure or success, you can look back and be proud of yourself. I have to remind myself that constantly, even though I consider it my motto and guide for life. I will always try to aim for the stars, even if they seem to be out of reach.” - Jordyn Cabellon, sixth grade, St. Pius X Regional School, Bowie
Kaylana Padre, sixth grade, St. Columba School, Oxon Hill, Maryland
“My name is Chukwuma. I have two sisters and one brother. My hobby is drawing. I like to draw anything using imagination, shades of colors, and skill. I’ve been drawing for as long as I can remember.”- Chukwuma Anaele, sixth grade, St. Pius X Regional School, Bowie, Maryland“My name is Ava Roddy, and I enjoy drawing. I also enjoy sports, reading, and hanging out with friends. My favorite type of food is Mexican. I have a puppy named Confetti. I enjoy taking her for walks, playing with her, and just hanging out with her.” - Ava Roddy, eighth grade, St. Pius X Regional School, Bowie
“My name is Alexis. I am 11 years old and in the sixth grade. Fun fact about me is that I strive to be a professional artist one day. I also have an older sister who I love very much. I hope that you feel welcomed in your new position (as) archbishop of Washington.” - Alexis Braswell, sixth grade, St. Jude Regional Catholic School, Rockville, Maryland
“My name is Christopher Pierre, and I turned 11 years old last Monday. My favorite color is black. My favorite food is ramen noodles. And last of all my favorite career is an architect. I am in a family of four: my mom, my dad, Safira, and I. And we have a cat named Roger.” - Christopher Pierre, fifth grade, St. Jude Regional Catholic School, Rockville, Maryland“I love hanging out with my friends and trying new things and ideas.” - Kiera Parsons, fifth grade, Holy Redeemer School, College Park, Maryland
Hayden Estrella, fifth grade, St. Columba School, Oxon Hill, Maryland
Diego Rodriguez, seventh grade, St. Columba School, Oxon Hill, MarylandLauren Connely, seventh grade, St. Bartholomew School, Bethesda, Maryland
“I am Brooke Bentzel. I am an eighth grader at St. Pius X Regional School. I’m going to Archbishop Spalding next year. I have a couple friends going with me there next year. I am very interested in social studies like you, I even got into AP World History. That is one of the things I am most nervous about, that and meeting new people.” - Brooke Bentzel, eighth grade, St. Pius X Regional School, Bowie
“Hi, my name is Gabrielle! I am in third grade at St. Ambrose Catholic School. My favorite color is purple. My favorite sport is track and field. My favorite subject is math. Even when it is hard, I still like it. We did a saint project. I did Our Lady of Guadalupe. It was so much fun! Hope you have a great time. Welcome to Washington, Your Excellency!” - Gabrielle Wiggans, third grade, St. Ambrose Catholic School, Cheverly, Maryland“My name is Elisabeth. I really like animals. I have two pets, a bird and a dog. They mean the world to me. I also do figure skating, hockey, soccer, and many other things. When I am not playing with my pets or playing sports. I love to draw.” - Elisabeth Brown, fifth grade, Blessed Sacrament School, Washington, D.C.
In response to the students' introductions, Archbishop Gregory had a message of his own:
“My Dear Young Friends, thanks so much for your kind messages of welcome and those terrific pictures of yourselves. I look forward to visiting with many of you at your schools this coming year. I pray that you and your families will have a wonderful summer filled with lots of fun things to see and do. Please tell your parents and grandparents that the Archbishop thinks that they have wonderful youngsters!”
