Churches, schools mourn Pope John Paul II Churches, schools mourn Pope John Paul II (April 06, 2005)

By Jane Knoerle

Almanac Lifestyles Editor

Local Roman Catholic churches and schools are remembering Pope John Paul II in special Masses and prayer services during the nine-day mourning period following his death on April 2.

On Monday, their first day of school following Easter vacation, students at Sacred Heart Prep and St. Joseph School in Atherton gathered for a reflective Power Point presentation on the life of the pope. "We had beautiful images," said Marianne Dunn, director of the campus ministry.

Pictures of the pope have been distributed to classrooms.

The Sacred Heart chapel will be open to students and the public throughout the mourning period. There will be a memorial book for visitors to sign, and the chapel will be adorned with papal photographs. "We are inviting visitors to bring a flower from their garden," said Ms. Dunn.

At Church of the Nativity, two special Masses have been added for Friday, April 8. Students at Nativity Elementary School will attend a 9 a.m. Mass on Friday. An additional Mass at 7:30 p.m. Friday has been scheduled by the pastor, Monsignor Steven D. Otellini.

When the student body of Woodside Priory School in Portola Valley gathered for Monday morning chapel on April 4, the service was dedicated to the memory of the pope.

At St. Patrick's Seminary in Menlo Park, a Mass for the community was held the morning of April 5. At 7:30 p.m. Tuesday evening, a Mass for the entire Diocese of San Francisco will be celebrated at St. Mary's Cathedral in the city.

St. Denis Church in Sharon Heights offered prayers for the late pontiff during Sunday services, said church secretary Mary Cague.

As of press time, the Almanac was unable to learn whether special observances were scheduled for St. Raymond Church and School in Menlo Park.

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