Project built self-esteem

Anyone who has ever been in Sister Joseph Mary's fourth grade at St. Helen's School in Schenectady knows that one of the first projects they take part in is the annual All Saints Pageant.

Sister Joseph Mary Stedina, PBVM, reassures students preparing for this year's pageant that "years from now, each time Halloween rolls around, wonderful memories will flood back as to how we were a part of the procession of saints who took part in a wonderful prayer service for All Saints Day."

One of two grade 4 teachers at St. Helen's, Sister Joseph Mary has seen many benefits unfold as students have prepared for pageants over the years.

"What better way to build self-esteem and confidence than write your own story (a first-person narrative of the saint's life) and then get up in front of parents, friends and fellow classmates to tell that story," she said. "It seems like a great task when we first talk about it; but as we get involved and excited, the work seems to fade away, and we find we are really enjoying ourselves.

"The pageant that we put on is integrated into as many subject areas as possible, from library skills to book reports. From there, we write a first-person narrative about the life of the saint we have chosen to learn more about. We research where all these saints came from and find their countries on the map.

"We even make use of our math skills as we find our places according to the dates they were all born. We begin as far back as creation with St. Michael the Archangel and Gabriel, and go all the way to modern-day saints, such as Maria Goretti and Kateri Tekakwitha."

Sister Joseph Mary emphasizes that "learning about those who have gone before us and shown us how to live lives that reflect the life of Jesus is a beautiful example of growing in the Lord. We learn from the example of each individual saint that we are all called to be saints in doing not only big and heroic deeds, but by doing the small every day things we find throughout the day. The saints showed us the way, and we can walk in their footsteps."

(St. Helen's next All Saints Day Pageant takes place on Oct. 31 at 9:45 a.m.)(AH)

(10-30-97) [[In-content Ad]]