Maine bishop goes back to school, joins students for classroom projects, quizzes

LEWISTON, Maine (OSV News) -- Bishop Robert P. Deeley of Portland, Maine, collaborated with his young colleagues in a kindergarten classroom, carefully following the instructions they’d been given that, successfully followed, would lead to a "blizzard in a jar."

"OK, let's add the paint to the water, not the baby oil. I think that's important," he told his new friends. "Someone drop the Alka-Seltzer in. Who hasn't had a turn yet?"

Moments later, the jar of water, baby oil, paint, glitter and Alka-Seltzer combined and produced a small, bubbly "storm."

The project was one of many that Bishop Deeley took part in during his special visit to the elementary campus of St. Dominic Academy in Lewiston Feb. 1 as part of the school's celebration of Maine Catholic Schools Week.

The bishop made his stop at St. Dom's, as the school is affectionately known, on "red, white, and blue" day as patriotic signs and outfits were the orders of the day, as was Bishop Deeley's participation as "Student for a Day."

In first grade, the bishop tried his hand at Bible bingo, coming up one spot short of victory when "David" or the "Ten Commandments" weren't called in time.

In second grade, Bishop Deeley joined the students in using marshmallows and toothpicks to design a standing object in a short period of time. Colton emerged as the top performer with a 9-inch-tall construction.

In third grade, it was the 99Math game that tests computation and facts, with the bishop and his teammate, Father Patrick Finn of Prince of Peace Parish in Lewiston, finishing up as most improved between games one and two.

In fourth grade, the bishop squared off against the kids in a game of online Bible trivia and finished "neck and neck" with Gracelynn and Olena.

In fifth grade, it was time for some geometry and art as the bishop and students created their own hexagons with their names as centerpieces.

And not to be left out, the prekindergartners welcomed Bishop Deeley to work with them on their large friendship tree, which featured each of their handprints and pictures, including a picture of the bishop joining the tree.

Sister Francesca Silver, a Franciscan Sister of the Eucharist, who is a campus minister at the academy, also added her handprint at the request of the children. Before departing, Bishop Deeley read "If Jesus Lived Inside My Heart" (Worthy Kids, 2014) to the youngsters.

Also joining the bishop on his tour of the school were J.P. Yorkey, principal of the Lewiston campus; Marianne Pelletier, superintendent of Maine Catholic Schools; and Suzanne Lafreniere, director of public policy for the Diocese of Portland.

Catholic schools across the U.S. celebrated Catholic Schools Week Jan. 29-Feb. 4 under the theme: "Catholic Schools: Faith. Excellence. Service." This has been an annual celebration since 1974, sponsored by the National Catholic Educational Association and the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops' Secretariat of Catholic Education.

The Portland Diocese opened the weeklong observance with a morning Mass Jan. 29 at St. John the Baptist Church in Brunswick.

"The purpose of our schools is to educate the whole person of the children who participate in these centers of educational excellence," Bishop Deeley told the congregation during his homily. "They are not just minds to be formed or technicians to be trained.

"They are human persons of mind, body, and spirit who, for the fullness of their education, need to see a way to balance the incredible gift that each of them is as a human person with a way of life that reflects their own value and that of their neighbors."

Massgoers included parishioners as well as students, staff and families of St. John's Catholic School. St. John's church and school are part of All Saints Parish.

"Our schools strive to help our young people to see the ties they have with others, and the responsibility they have for each other. In our Catholic schools, we work to help our parents in their duty to foster the faith of their children," said the bishop, who presided at the Mass.

It was concelebrated by Father Phil Tracy, pastor of All Saints, and Msgr. Marc Caron, vicar general for the diocese. Deacon John Murphy of All Saints Parish also assisted at the Mass.

Bishop Deeley thanked teachers, staff members, parents, grandparents and the parish communities for their shared support and belief in Catholic schools. He added that St. John's motto of "Exceptional Education Anchored by Faith" is one that would suit any Catholic school in Maine.

"That combination is the heart of every Catholic school, and it is a valuable resource for the future of our children and the church," he said.