Similar to a pep rally for a high school sports team, the gym
at Saint John Paul the Great Catholic High School in Dumfries
Sept. 11 was bounding with cheerleaders, students from
saint-themed houses in their signature colors, soccer
enthusiasts competing in a shootout, and even a “wave” of
raised arms in the stands.
More than 700 enthusiastic students and teachers began their
“Countdown to Francis” with a video of Pope Francis
encouraging young people to be courageous.
The highlight of the event was the reading of the names of 25
students who won the school lottery to see Pope Francis at
the White House Sept. 23.
According to Sister Bernadette McManigal, superintendent of
Catholic Schools, each diocesan high school received 30
tickets through the Department of Education to the White
House ceremony welcoming Pope Francis.
“Each high school chose the students who will attend, using
their own criteria,” said Sister Bernadette.
After announcing the students’ names, Dominican Sister Mary
Jordan Hoover, principal, recognized five teachers who will
accompany the students.
“Be sure to tell him that ‘JP’ loves Pope Francis,” she said.
Sophomore Asya Allen was one of the lucky lottery winners.
“My mom is going to be excited that I get this opportunity,”
she said. “My grandmother is going to be very jealous.”
Think students at Saint John Paul the Great Catholic
High School are ready for the pope’s visit? You can see
more photos from the “papal pep rally” in this week’s issue
of the Catholic Herald. #walkwithfrancis #popeinus
#popeindcPosted by Arlington
Catholic Herald on Tuesday, September 15, 2015
Senior Grant Tabler, who recently converted to Catholicism,
did not win a ticket, but his younger sister, Morgan, a
sophomore, did.
“Morgan tricked me by pulling me out of class with a pass to
the principal’s office,” Grant said. “When we got there,
Morgan smiled and said she had won the lottery and wanted me
to go in her place. She’d kill me for saying this, but we
both teared up. It was a great family moment here at school,
made possible by Pope Francis.”
The papal pep rally was part of a two-day celebration
including prayer, education, music and community. A number of
seminars were offered on themes important to Pope Francis,
including “Faith and the Family,” “Caring for Creation” and
“Pope Francis’ Year of Mercy.”
John Paul is no stranger to papal celebrations. The school
chapel’s tabernacle was blessed by Pope Benedict XVI during
his 2008 U.S. visit. The school’s namesake, Pope John Paul
II, was beatified in 2011 and canonized in 2014.
Ashleigh Buyers contributed to this report.
