(To mark Catholic Schools Week for the January Junior Saints section of the Catholic Standard newspaper and website, students were invited to draw a picture and write about something that they like about their Catholic school. The following writings and drawings were submitted by students from Blessed Sacrament School in Washington, D.C., which is marking its 100th anniversary this school year.)
“Blessed Sacrament School has many interesting good qualities to talk about, but the one thing that I really like about our school is that we are a community that is always there for each other. If I lost a family member, I know everyone at BSS is always ready to help in case I need anything, from someone to listen, a family Mass, or a meal plan for a month. We pray together, we study together, we do community service together and the most fun of all, we play together. In a community like this, you will make lifelong friends. That is why even when I have graduated, years from how if I have kids, I would love for them to go to Blessed Sacrament School.” – Artwork above and writing by Blair Burgdorf, fifth grade, Blessed Sacrament School, Washington
“My school is Blessed Sacrament in Washington, D.C. Many of my family members, including my grandfather, my parents, and many aunts and uncles have all attended. I came to BSS in first grade, and am here with my younger sister. My brother will start kindergarten in September… We have talent shows, team sports, cheerleading, and the Greg Gannon Food Drive. There is another activity called the Baby Bottle Drive for homeless mothers. We collect money in bottles and donate to a local charity [the Gabriel Project]. BSS is an awesome school, and I love learning here…” – Keely Murray, fifth grade, Blessed Sacrament School, Washington, D.C.
“Something I like about my Catholic school is that we do the Greg Gannon Food Drive. This year I participated in dropping off bags and picking them up full of cans. I also brought 168 cans out of the 1,000 cans that my class alone raised. Another thing I like about my Catholic school is that we do a Week of the Arts, which is when your grade gets assigned a wide variety of art activities and you choose what activities appeal to you the most. We also get to participate in the Mission Fair, which is my favorite because we can buy raffle tickets and play lots of games, including dunking teachers in a dunk tank. Every year at the Mission Fair there is cotton candy and shaved ice, which is my favorite…” – Artwork and writing by Lulu Sood, fifth grade, Blessed Sacrament School, Washington
“I drew a picture of the rectory at Blessed Sacrament, because I think that is one of the most holy places at the school. That is where the priests live. The priests are so nice and they lead all the Masses. They help make Blessed Sacrament School holy. I also drew a Mary statue that is in front of the building. She is the holy mother of Jesus. This is a special place at Blessed Sacrament.” – Artwork and writing by Barrett Walsh, fifth grade, Blessed Sacrament School, Washington, D.C.
“Blessed Sacrament is an amazing school, and one of the things I love about it is the Week of the Arts. This is a tradition at Blessed Sacrament when each grade has a theme for Week of the Arts, and they learn and do fun art projects on their theme. In kindergarten, they learn about Japan. In first grade, they learn about Mexico. In second grade, they study the rainforest. In third grade, they learn about Africa. In fourth grade, their theme is ‘Road Trip Across America’! And in fifth grade, we are excited to go off campus for the first time on Week of the Arts…” – Liesel Jaeger, fifth grade, Blessed Sacrament School, Washington
“My school is Blessed Sacrament, and it has helped me have fun and learn throughout the years. One thing I love about my school is the dedication of each teacher. I love how they will go out of their way to make dull topics into really fun classes. And most of all, I love our school spirit, and how we put hard work in if it’s a test or some homework sheets. Those are some of my favorite things about my awesome school!” – Caroline Buckley, fifth grade, Blessed Sacrament School, Washington
“Things I like about Blessed Sacrament School include that we learn about Jesus and how incredible he was to us, and is to us. I also like that we do special things like Week of the Arts and the Greg Gannon Food Drive. Another thing I love is that we wear uniforms and don’t have to pick what to wear to school. That is what I like about my school, and I really love it.” – Artwork and writing by Mary Elizabeth Hauck, fifth grade, Blessed Sacrament School, Washington
“I love Blessed Sacrament School!... We have thrived for over 100 years, and still to this day we honor our sisters who started this school. In P.E., you can have fun playing sports with friends and classmates. Next you have art, where you can expand your creativity and be curious. Then you have music, this is where you can show off your talents and sing songs in the choir… I love BSS, go Bulldogs!” – Wesley Hurt, fifth grade, Blessed Sacrament School, Washington
“I love my school, Blessed Sacrament!... I love that we have a beautiful church to go for Mass with our whole school. It is so nice going to Mass with our classes, because every Mass, one grade gets assigned to lead the Mass, so they either get to read a prayer or bring up the gifts for the priest to bless. The church is so beautiful, especially with the stained glass windows. When the light shines through the windows, all of the vibrant colors shine through onto you. Going to church during the week is just so great, to see everyone and to pray to God.” – Charlotte Sowanick, fifth grade, Blessed Sacrament School, Washington
“One thing I really like about Blessed Sacrament is our church. It is very nice and quiet there. I love going to church, because it calms me down and it is very peaceful. I also love learning more about saints and Jesus. I enjoy Mass and that we have Mass almost every week. When I am there, I feel like I am next to Jesus, and I feel happy, comfortable and relaxed. At our church, I feel very safe, and I don’t worry about anything, because Jesus is with me.” – Artwork and writing by Nafkot Elias, fifth grade, Blessed Sacrament School, Washington
