FOR APPROXIMATELY 40 years, St. Irenaeus Catholic School in Cypress has sent off its eighth-grade class with the traditional paraliturgy celebration. Held on June 4, parents, family, parishioners and the rest of the student body were also in attendance.
ST. IRENAEUS STUDENTS REFLECT AT THE BAPTISMAL FONT AS THEY PREPARE TO ENTER THE EIGHTH-GRADE PARALITURGY CEREMONY. PHOTOS BY ALAN WENDELL/DIOCESE OF ORANGE
So now faith, hope, and love remain, these three; but the greatest of these is love. (1 Corinthians 13:13)
This message from Corinthians was a prevalent theme of this year’s paraliturgy. Readings and petitions – significant because of their relevance to this specific class – were presented. One reflection was particularly heartfelt, as the student recalled the paraliturgy from his first-grade year and realized he would no longer see his assigned “buddy” who was leaving the school.
The eighth-grade girls performed the liturgical dance to the music of “Hail Mary, Gentle Woman” causing a flurry of cameras to capture this beautifully choreographed moment.
STUDENTS HONOR MOTHER MARY WITH A LITURGICAL DANCE WHILE SINGING “HAIL MARY, GENTLE WOMAN.”
The entire eighth-grade class then shared reflections on their time at the school. Starting with those students who entered the school in TK and proceeding to the present, students shared their memories of the outstanding teachers who taught and mentored them and discussed the impact of Jesus in their lives and the entire school experience.
The entire student body participated in the commissioning ceremony. In this ceremony, each class was asked a different commissioning question, such as, “Will you pray often and for each other?” They were then asked by the eighth-grade students, “Will you follow us?” They then replied in unison, “Yes, we will.”
As the graduating class exited the church, their schoolmates formed a tunnel for them to pass through. During this culminating event, called ‘Honor Guard,’ the eighth-grade students – with huge smiles, tears, and high fives – made the walk across campus.
The paraliturgy event is steeped in tradition. The school’s assistant principal, Angela Burke, participated in this event when she graduated some four decades ago.
STUDENTS GATHER IN A CEREMONIAL GROUP HUG AFTER THE EIGHTH-GRADE PARALITURGY.
“This event connects graduates from St. Irenaeus over the years,” she said. “Much has changed, of course, but at its core is thanking to God and the community for many years of support.”
Eighth-grade teacher Jessica Tarian was closely involved with the planning of this year’s paraliturgy.
“This is the culmination event of the students’ careers,” she shared. “It is an opportunity to share lessons with other students and pass the torch to the seventh graders.”
St. Irenaeus’ principal, Stella Costello, spoke said the event “is an opportunity for students to show gratitude towards their teachers and classmates.”
Erika Olivas, parent of eighth-grader Kamila, said, “we appreciate the traditions of the school and how they form the students’ Catholic education.”
The importance of Catholic school education is evident every day but especially is in such events as the eighth-grade paraliturgy. Students, teachers and staff work together to create a memorable and impactful experience that graduating students will hold with them forever.