Local Catholic schools are planning to celebrate Pope Francis’ visit this week to Washington, D.C., by sending students, faculty and staff to take part in papal events.
Four faculty and staff members along with eight students from Georgetown Preparatory School in North Bethesda have been invited to attend the pope’s Mass on Wednesday at The Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C., said Patrick Coyle, director of marketing and communications.
Additionally, the school’s advanced choir, A Couple of Hoyas, will sing before Pope Francis’ address to Congress Thursday morning, Coyle said Monday.
St. Bartholomew School in Bethesda will be sending 12 students to view the pope at the Apostolic Nunciature in Northwest Washington, colloquially called the Vatican Embassy, Principal Stephen Lamont said. The pope is staying at the Apostolic Nunciature during his three-day visit and is set to arrive in the area Tuesday afternoon.
And several students from Stone Ridge School of the Sacred Heart in Bethesda also will attend events. Six student leaders were invited by the school to go to the White House before the pope’s Wednesday meeting with President Obama, according to Connie Mitchell, director of marketing and communications.
“I have to give credit to the Archdiocese. They’ve done a nice job involving Catholic school students where they can,” Mitchell said Monday.
Ten other Stone Ridge students were invited to Thursday’s sendoff celebration at Joint Base Andrews in Prince George’s County before the pope heads to New York City, Mitchell said. In addition to the student body president and vice president, one student each from grades five through 12 was randomly selected to attend, Mitchell said.
“They’re all very excited. We have a diverse group going,” Mitchell said.
Local Catholic schools have also been commemorating the pope’s historic visit in other ways.
Holy Redeemer School in Kensington made a YouTube video featuring a cutout of the pope with students arriving at school, attending class, playing soccer and passing through hallways. Set to the tune of Katrina and the Waves’ “Walking on Sunshine,” the video commemorates the school’s participation in the #WalkWithFrancis Pledge, which calls for followers to commit to follow the pope’s example of faith and service.
In Northwest Washington, Blessed Sacrament School is conducting a “Walk with Pope Francis Shoe Drive,” with each grade assigned to collect shoes during upcoming months, according to the school’s website.
