Spotswood school celebrates consecration to Mary

May 1 was a unique day at Immaculate Conception School, Spotswood, beginning with an 8:30 a.m. “Consecration” of the school to the Blessed Virgin Mary. The entire 115-member student body, gathered outside in front of the statue of Mary to hear comments from Father John O’Kane, pastor, on the meaning of consecration, which he defined as “set aside for a holy purpose.

“That is our school. And you were consecrated at Baptism to be saints,” he said, then speaking to students about the importance of being good, obedient children, telling them the story from the Gospel of John of the wedding feast at Cana, when the wine ran out, and Mary asked Jesus to help. This was Jesus’s first miracle, when he did as his mother asked and changed water into wine.

In attendance was Felician Sister Teresa Soltys who teaches religion to grades 6 and 8. Sister taught at the school from 1986 to 2001 and returned in 2016. “I like challenging the kids,” she said. “I tell them that their parents promised when they were baptized that they would be raised as Catholics because it works.”

Overseeing the day’s events was Principal John Maresca, noting that “We build upon our Catholic identity … We are proud of it and we will strengthen it.”

Also in attendance was Felician Sister Antonelle Chukta who provides a unique academic element to the curriculum, teaching Latin to the sixth, seventh, and eighth grades.  Given that Latin is the foundation for a high percentage of words in the English language, and a particular basis for medicine, law, and writing, this is a very special advantage for students.

Following the Consecration ceremony, Mass for students, family members, faculty, staff and parishioners, was celebrated in the church. The student body then assembled in the auditorium for the induction ceremony into the National Junior Honor Society where 12 current members welcomed five new members who met the qualifications for membership: scholarship, service leadership, character and citizenship.

Upon closing the event, Dr. Maresca reminded all that “our three guiding traits are Catholic identity, traditional values, and a warm family atmosphere.” Then he added, praising his kitchen staff, “We also have the best cafeteria, hands down.”