A Blessing for the Students and Teachers At The Good Shepherd Inclusive Catholic Community

A Blessing for the Students and Teachers At The Good Shepherd Inclusive Catholic Community

This week our children and youth returned to school here in Fort Myers, Florida. So, Sunday August 7th included a special blessing for both students and teachers. In a joyous celebration that held forty enthusiastic worshippers in our small housechurch, seventeen young people and two adults stood for a blessing. The students included Efe Cudjoe our Associate Teacher and Youth Worker who will be leaving for Brown University who came forth and received our gift of love and our "sending forth". The students ranged from our bright little Joelle who is finally in Pre-K to three High School Seniors, three Sophomores and Middle and Elemenatary Schoolers. Of the two men who were blessed one is starting a vocational program in plumbing and the other is a Professor at FGCU.We also welcomed back two of our older members who are in recovery from serious medical situations and we had a time for healing prayer as well. The Mass was in English and Spanish to accomodate our Latin Americans present. Three of our members, Pearl, Cyrillia and Lili provided an international hot meal for all that was truly a feast. They had dishes from Africa, St. Lucia and Italy. After the celebration and Sunday School, the students received school supplies and gifts of clothing to start school. They were expecting the supplies, but not the clothes and their expressions of gratitude were so heartfelt that we were truly moved by them. The word that best describes the entire day is "Alegria"-gladness,exultation. The pictures are taken just before the Mass with Efe standing just behind me, and the blessing and "sending forth" during Mass.

Living with Christ,

Pastor Judy

Rev. Dr. Judy Lee, ARCWP

Fort Myers, Florida