Students participated in acts of kindness, a prayer video and more during Lent at Notre Dame School. (Submitted photo/Light of Christ Catholic School Division)

By Josh Ryan

Keeping traditions

Notre Dame students, staff busy during Lent

Mar 30, 2021 | 12:36 PM

Students and staff at Notre Dame School did their best to continue the traditions of Lent in 2021.

The 40 day period preceding Easter still featured students enacting prayer, act of kindness and written messages. Due to limitations from the pandemic’s restrictions, events weren’t possible, so students instead participated in a prayer video that was sent to family members and other schools, along with a virtual mass. Grade 5 and 6 teacher Tammy Loeppky said it’s vital to be able to have school-wide participation in something positive.

“It gives us hope in these dark times and confidence in a better tomorrow,” she said. “And so we can stay connected with everyone this year.”

(Submitted photo/Light of Christ Catholic School Division)

Some of the acts of kindness students participated in included shoveling the stars at Notre Dame Church, as well as at their homes and throughout the community. Loeppky said the children have handled things quite well throughout the pandemic considering the circumstances, which has helped them grow closer together.

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“We’ve become like a family in our classroom, because that’s all we see,” she said. “In a way, that’s been a good thing, but we’ll look forward to getting back together with everyone.”

Grade 5 student Ryle Diaz said it was weird not being able to do many things in person this year, because of the restrictions, but they did what they could, be it the prayer video, online written messages and more.

“There’s still praying for people in need, helping your parents or siblings with chores and [other] things like that,” he said.

Teacher Tammy Loeppky and Grade 5 Student Ryle Diaz. (Josh Ryan/battlefordsNOW Staff)

Despite not being able to go out into the community and go door to door, Diaz said the value of Lent still matters.

“It’s still important to remember your faith and recognize the seasons and celebrations that we have in our culture,” he said.

At this time, the province has not given any indication that the pandemic’s restrictions will ease up any time soon. Diaz said he and his classmates will be ready for whatever comes, but hopes that vaccinations will help speed that up.

“It might be in the future where we can celebrate things back to normal,” he said. “But if something goes wrong, I think we’ll still be able to handle it, like we did this year.”

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cjnbnews@jpbg.ca

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