2nd Annual MCS Tree Lighting Ceremony
Probably one of the few people in Vermont to be pleased about the lack of snow on December 10 was Mustasa Semic, MCS maintenance staff member. Mustasa helped the drivers of approximately 200 cars find places to park as they gathered for the Mater Christi School 2nd Annual Memorial Tree Lighting ceremony and the K-4 choral concert.
Actually, the mild weather helped make the evening comfortable as hundreds of people gathered on the front lawn for the Tree Lighting in memory of Emily Lyman, who died while a freshman at Rice Memorial High School and a graduate of MCS, and Ryan Collins, who died while he was a fifth grader at the school.
In addition to Emily and Ryan’s parents, there were many other MCS students, parents, friends, faculty members and Sisters of Mercy at the Tree Lighting. Sr. Laura Della Santa, Superintendent of Catholic Schools in VT, led the opening prayer; Msgr. Bernard Bourgeois, principal of RMHS, blessed the newly planted tree; and Mrs. Barb Gaida, former MCS principal, gave a reflection. Glow sticks of blue, green, red, and yellow had been handed out to each person present making the scene magical when the tree’s large LED blue(Emily’s favorite color) lights were formally turned on by Lily and Megan Collins.
The ceremony ended with some poetry readings and carols by MCS students, and then everyone walked over to the school gym for the choral concert, directed by Mrs. Barb Heath, MCS Music and Band Director. Mr. Brian Lynan, RMHS music director, helped to accompany some of the songs. Thank you Glenda Bedard and the many volunteers who helped orchestrate the tree lighting ceremony.
View more photos of this event on our SmugMug page.
Kindergarten – Grade 4 Christmas Concert
The concert began with an excellent performance by the MCS Beginners Band. This was followed by a rousing, action-packed “Jingle Bell Rock” by the kindergarteners.
A high point of the concert was the story of the Nativity of Jesus performed by the first graders. Several of the youngsters read the Scripture story as their classmates played parts of angels, shepherds, Kings, sheep, donkey, Mary and Joseph. The lovely scene ended with the children singing “Mary Did You Know?”
The second and third graders filled the stage to overflowing as they did a dance routine to “Rockin Around the Christmas Tree” with giant candy cane walking sticks as props. The evening ended with a beautiful rendition of the “Carol of the Bells” which the 4th graders played with hand bells and xylophones.
As the concert goers filed out, they were tempted by piles of delicious-looking cakes and cookies. The 8th graders wisely chose concert night to help them raise money for their French luncheon in the spring. They probably had a very successful sale after such a very memorable evening.
Sister Joanne LaFreniere, RSM
Director of Public Relations and Spiritual Life
View more photos and videos of this event on our SmugMug page.