On Thursday morning, October 26th, a group of PreK children dressed in black and white skeleton costumes ascended to the stage at The Villa to put on a colorful performance with Spanish teacher, Karen Jaeger. “Life is a Gift!” is a short children’s musical written and directed by Ms. Karen who also conducts the Villa’s afternoon performing arts group “Little Stars.” This play celebrates all creation during the time-honored tradition of “El Dia de Los Muertos” (The Day of the Dead). In this lively performance, “La Catrina” (the legendary symbol of the holiday) explains to the “esquelitos” (little skeletons) that we stand in awe and wonder of God’s creation living each day of life as a gift in service to others and God. Ultimately, we “give back” when we leave this earth and return to Him, our Creator. Four musical numbers combine to sing praise, remember departed love ones' legacy they have passed onto us, and remind us of the festivities of this 3,000 year old tradition that mixed Christianity with original Aztec beliefs to beautifully celebrate all life. These young children and Ms. Karen did a marvelous job conveying the lessons of “Life is a Gift!”
On Friday, November 3rd, the PreK 2 class lead the school in a prayer service in honor of the First Friday of November and All Saints Day. Each student picked a Saint of their choice to portray in costume. They were darling! The service centered around how the Saints are our friends who give us wonderful examples of how to love and serve God. From their virtuous lives, we hope to learn how to become Saints. We are all saints in the making. We are all working to be examples of how to love and serve God by loving and respecting everyone and all of God’s creation. Everyone in school was asked to complete a small banner with their picture to show they are a saint in the making. Sr. Christine Rattini strung all these banners into one big banner draped across the stage. She did a great job teaching the children about the Saints and God’s desire for everyone to be a Saint.
Presentations and prayer services like these unite our school classes and provides opportunities to to help the children focus on what is truly important to us: our faith in God and His desire for us be graced with eternal life.