SCOTTSDALE — Bl. Pope John XXIII School shared some photos of their students hard at work on a special “Good Shepherd Sunday” project. Kindergartener up through fourth-graders decorated sheep using their thumbprints and signed a letter for the pastors of their parishes. Bishop Thomas J. Olmsted, Bishop Eduardo A. Nevares and Fr. Paul Sullivan, the diocesan director of vocations, received the same token of appreciation.
Don’t be fooled into thinking this was a quick project. The school, which is on 60th Street south of Bell Road, draws students from 15 parishes:
- Blessed Sacrament, Our Lady of Perpetual Help, St. Bernard of Clairvaux, St. Bernadette, St. Maria Goretti, St. Patrick — all six in Scottsdale
- St. Rose Philippine Duchesne in Anthem
- Our Lady of Joy in Carefree
- St. Gabriel in Cave Creek
- St. Francis Xavier, St. Joan of Arc, St. Joseph, St. Paul, St. Theresa, St. Thomas More — all six in Phoenix
Students delivered the sheep and their special notes to the parishes on Sunday when Catholics worldwide heard the Gospel reading of Jesus as the Good Shepherd (review the Gospel readings). Priests and deacons at the school’s “home parish” of St. Bernadette received a special bonus.
Students didn’t just sign and decorate sheep for Fr. Pete Rossa, the pastor, but also for Fr. Joe Cornelia, the parochial vicar, and plastered them all over their office doors. They did the the same for the parish’s four deacons.
What did your school, parish, ministry or family do to celebrate Good Shepherd Sunday?
