Montgomery Catholic Fourth Grade Class Invited to Decorate the Chancery Tree in Mobile

Father Pat Arensberg, Archbishop Thomas J. Rodi, Principal Laurie Gulley and Mrs. Mary Pears with St. BEde campus fourth grade students: James Bender, Boyd McKinley, Cecilia Crawford, Will Driver, Ailish Gilbert, Mason McCollister, Aidan McNeely, Matthew Reardon, Eathan Binns, Tianna Carr, Samantha Day, Ansley Erhardt, Layne Jordan, Julian Macchia, John McLennan, Will Noell, Samual Rogers and Hart Yost. 

Montgomery Catholic Preparatory School's St. Bede campus fourth grade class was invited by Archbishop Thomas J. Rodi to visit Mobile for a special job. The students were in charge of creating the theme and decorating the Chancery Christmas tree. Nineteen students, along with teacher Mrs. Mary Pears, Principal Laurie Gulley and Father Pat Arensberg took a chartered bus to Mobile on Tuesday, December 10. The class was greeted by Archbishop Rodi on the steps of the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception on South Claiborne Street where they were given a tour and history lesson by the Archbishop. The lesson included the founding of the Cathedral, an explanation of the stained glass windows which all depict scenes referencing the role of Mary in the life of Jesus from the New Testament.

After the tour, the group made their way to the Chancery to decorate the tree with student made decorations in the class theme of "The Legend of the Candy Cane". Every ornament involved the candy cane in some way, reminding all, the real reason we celebrate Christmas. After Principal Gulley successfully topped the tree, the Archbishop treated the students with chocolate milk and cookies. Superintendent of Catholic Schools, Gwen Byrd, the staff from the Office of Religious Education and the Office of Catholic Schools for the Archdiocese of Mobile, joined the group for the sweet treat.

After a busy morning the students were then invited to have lunch and recess with the fourth grade class at Saint Pius X Catholic School before heading back to Montgomery. The students had a wonderful experience, helping the Archdiocese prepare for Christmas, and safely traveled home, without anyone falling asleep, with the exception of Father Pat.