More than 1,200 students from eight Lorain County elementary schools kicked off the celebration of Catholic Schools Week on Jan. 26 at the 16th annual all-county Mass at Elyria Catholic High School.
The Coliseum at Elyria Catholic was packed with students from EC?s eight partner schools: Holy Trinity, Avon; St. Anthony of Padua, Lorain; St. Joseph, Amherst; St. Joseph, Avon Lake; St. Jude, Elyria; St. Mary, Elyria; St. Mary, Avon; and St. Peter, North Ridgeville.
Father Ryan Man, parochial vicar at St. Charles Borromeo Parish, Parma, was the celebrant. Students from the eight schools participated in the liturgy as cross bearers, servers, readers and they presented the gifts.
Deacon Pat Humphrey, a 1971 EC alumnus, the EC Peer Ministry and Godsquad, as well as extraordinary ministers of the Eucharist from EC were among those who also helped with the liturgy.
?We are very blessed to have families, students, educators and administrators in our county who hold our Catholic values in high priority and send their students and partner with us to educate the students in the traditions and foundation of our faith. It is a sacrifice for everyone involved and we must remember that it is God?s work and that is the best work to have,? said Amy Butler, EC president and a 1980 alumna.
Two students in attendance were selected randomly to receive a $500 scholarship to Elyria Catholic.
