A group of parents, students and teachers from St. Mary of the Assumption School in Mentor had a memorable Lenten experience during a visit to the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist on March 15.
Students in grades 5-8 who are members of the FaithBuilders Leadership Club presented living Stations of the Cross in the cathedral. The living stations presentation is a tradition at the parish that they shared with a wider group at the cathedral this year.
(See photo gallery above.)
The club is for students who are interested in promoting and sharing their faith. The group has two primary activities, the living Nativity in December and the living Stations of the Cross during Lent. Students work to deepen their own faith as they encourage those around them to follow in Jesus’s footsteps each day, said Susan Obergefell, the music teacher who works with the group.
The students also help with prayer services, retreats and other faith-based activities throughout the year.
Currently, FaithBuilders has about 40 members, the largest group so far. Members spent about three weeks preparing for the Lenten presentations of the Living Stations of the Cross. The presentation including students reading and acting out the stations in a prayerful and moving way that also incorporated music, Obergefell said.
“It is a powerful opportunity to reflect on Jesus’ journey,” she added.
Obergefell said St. Mary students have been involved in living Stations of the Cross for at least 14 years. Many of the costumes the students wore were sewn and donated by members of the parish community years ago.
Working with the group are three club moderators – two staff members and a retired teacher who volunteers to assist. Another teacher helps to provide the music for the transitions between each station by playing guitar.
Obergefell said because of the pandemic, the students were not able to present the stations during Lent 2020, but they resumed the tradition with a video presentation during Lent 2021. Click here to view a video of that production.
During their visit to the cathedral, the students and others also toured the mother church of the diocese, attended noon Mass and had lunch.