Sing of Mary, pure and lowly

By BETH DONZE
Clarion Herald

Second-graders – and soon-to-be First Communicants – at St. Francis Xavier School in Metairie had the honor of processing up the aisle with flowers for the crowning of the Blessed Mother at the start of their May 4 school Mass.

Chosen at random to carry the floral crown up the aisle was second grader Robert Surucean. Crowning honors went to second grader Claire Heine.

St. Francis Xavier School and Parish second graders will make their First Communion on May 7.

During the homily of the May 4 Mass, celebrant Father Andrew Sanchez, parochial vicar, reminded the assembled St. Francis Xavier students and teachers that Jesus will never abandon us.

“Jesus loves each of us so much – even more than we love our best friends and family," Father Sanchez said. "The Good News is that he’s always there, waiting to take us back” when we stray from him.

“He is the bread of life. When we come to him and receive the Eucharist, never will we hunger," Father Sanchez added, encouraging seventh graders, especially, to lean on the Blessed Mother when they begin high school in a few months.

“Don’t lose her; stay close to her,” Father Sanchez told them, “because she is the one who brings us to Jesus!”