Walking into the gym was enough to bring a smile to even the most rain-trodden. With the Easter banners still flying, multi-colored balloons hovered high above the crowd like colorful exclamation points declaring the significance of the morning. And it was significant! With Father George Wertin, Father Jim Cassidy, and the SJA musicians, the children added elements of innocence, spontaneity, simple wisdom, and visual delight.

After the opening song, “Teach Your Children Well,” and a welcome by Kate Nordquist, the spotlight was on the SJA preschool “choir”. They stood on a miniaturized version of the choir bleachers with somewhat less precision, but considerably more animation than the adult chorus. It is also probably fair to say the adult choir never garnered quite as many adoring looks, muted chuckles or misty eyes. Crouching low in front of the children were directors, Doug Rodman and Kate Nordquist with help from the preschool teachers. The children, who sang a medley of songs, were particularly animated when they performed in sign language along with the music. They favored their audience with Jesus Loves Me, Sing a Rainbow, Sing a Song, and We Are Marching, (the most fun because they got to march!)

When the littlest ones had exhausted their repertoire the older children arrived with much hoopla, led by the SJA Pied Piper, Cyril Paul. Clad in a turquoise African dashiki, a headdress from Trinidad and carrying a drum from South Africa, Cyril led the children up and down the aisles while the musicians sang, “This Little Light of Mine”. When they were settled, Annie Anderson-Itzin and Nancy Brown did the readings with strong, confident voices. The first reading was a message delivered to the United Nations by children. “You call us the future but we are also the present”. You can click on this link to hear Annie and Nancy . St. Joan of Arc has a history of giving young musicians in the parish the opportunity to share their talent. On this day, two young men performed. Following the readings, Tom Woodling, an 8th grader, performed a cello solo; later, Brendan Murphy, a high school freshman shared his gift as a pianist. Both boys were outstanding.

If you choose to follow the link to listen to the mass highlights, be sure to hear Cristine Patlan(center), Meg Adams(right-age 8) and C.J. Savage(left-age 12). They collaborated on the homily discussing Hopes and Dreams. It was particularly touching when each child defined what hope means to them. Then Cristine asked the question, “What is Your Big Dream?”:

• Meg: “That the world would be small, then there would be no wars”
• TJ: “There would be lots more churches so everyone could go, because church teaches me to be a good person throughout the week.

Cristine Patlan has been the Preschool director at St. Joan of Arc for five years. With 14 classrooms of preschool children each Sunday, she had her hands full - though she is quick to recognize the many volunteer teachers who help make the program a success.. She is passionate about the work done with these children believing the Sunday classes and Family masses are helping to create a legacy. There seems to be no doubt about it.

and

Sue O'Brien is the wife of Tom, mother of four children, and grandmother of six. She is dental hygienist and manages a dental practice in Spring Lake Park. A parishioner for many years, Sue worked as a caregiver at Grace House for seven years, beginning the week it opened. Now she is looking forward to meeting new people at St. Joan of Arc as she helps out as a web reporter and photographer. Sue can be reached at sueo-b@comcast.net.

Many thanks to Cristine, Kathy Itzin, director of elementary religions education, Lisa Chirpich, youth director, Steve Friedrichs, nursery director, and everyone who volunteers with the children and youth of the parish. It does indeed take a village - and what a wonderful village it is.