News

Prayer group helps students grow in faith

By Jeff Kurowski
Compass Assistant Editor

Some classmates questioned Morgan Sarter when, as a third grader, she joined the student prayer group at St. John the Baptist School in Howard, but it didn't bother her. They didn't know what they were missing.

"They asked me, 'Why do you want to sit around and pray?'" said Sarter, now a seventh grader. "'Don't you want to do something fun?' It is fun. It is fun to hear the stories and learn about your faith."

Third grade teacher Kay Moore started the group seven years ago to give her students the opportunity to be part of a club. The original prayer group, called the Friends of Mary, attracted 16 students. The following year, she again offered a group for third graders.

"The kids that were in it the year before, who were now fourth graders, asked, 'Can we still be in the prayer group?'" said Moore. "It has continued to grow year after year. We now have 86 students in the group. We pray parts of the rosary. We would like to pray the whole rosary, but we can't always fit it in. The Divine Mercy Chaplet is a favorite. They not only like to recite it, but we sing it as well."

"We also have a large book of intentions," she added. "We pray for a huge circle of people including our parish and our school. We pray for any needs that are brought to our attention. We pray for our country and peace in our world."

The prayer group is open to students in grades 3-8. Moore meets with each of the three groups, organized by grade levels, once a week for approximately 30 minutes. Students participate on their own time. They give up a recess or study period to be a part of the group, which was renamed the Queen of Peace Prayer Group following a trip to Medjugorje by Moore. Becky Pieters, youth minister at St. John the Baptist Parish, meets with group members in the middle school grades during one session each month for discussion and journaling.

The students don't receive any form of extra credit. Occasionally, Moore has taken them on field trips to religious destinations, including the Chapel at Robinsonville, Holy Hill and the motherhouse of the Franciscan Sisters of Charity in Manitowoc. Students do receive ribbons to wear on Marian feasts and peace days. Pins, symbolizing each year of participation in the prayer group, are displayed on the ribbons. The group also assists at a school Mass, usually during Catholic Schools Week.

Seventh grader Hannah Zeratsky, like Sarter, has been part of the group since third grade.

"It was something new," she said. "I wanted to take a chance and see what it was like."

"We are role models for the younger kids," she added. "They look up to us. They see us doing this and that gets them to try it."

Moore said that she hopes the experience has a positive effect on the students' prayers at home. Sixth grader Lauren Frye shares prayers with her family.

"I like the group because we get to learn new prayers," said Frye. "My Dad didn't really know the proper way to pray the rosary. When I learned how, I was able to show him. Now he prays the rosary all the time."

Sarter made a peace rosary for her grandparents.

"I get to teach them new prayers," she said.

Seventh grader Gabrielle Pepin said that she likes the openness of the group.

"If we have questions or comments about our faith, we can always discuss them," she said.

The group provides Moore an opportunity to remain close with her former third grade students.

"I still have a strong connection with the kids in the group after they have left my classroom," she said. "They are wonderful kids. When you pray together, it's a very intimate thing. It bonds people together."

"Mrs. Moore inspired me," said sixth grader Emily Leonard. "She was really inspired by her faith, and I wanted to be just like her. Now my Mom is in the adult prayer group (which includes Moore)."

"That women's group really supports me, and I can be recharged to work with the students," said Moore. "I'm very blessed to go to prayer groups three times a week. I don't think they realize it, but the kids' prayers lift me up."

Moore said the group has many silent partners. Teachers adjust their schedules so students may participate in the prayer group. Staff members also cover Moore's third grade classroom at times when she is with a group. She credits Fr. John Bergstadt, pastor; Kay Franz, former principal; Deanna Johnson, current principal; and Karen Bernsteen, music teacher; and parents for their support.

"It is definitely Jesus and the Blessed Mother who bring people to this prayer group," said Moore. "Every year, I think to myself, 'How can I possibly keep their interest?' The Blessed Mother, I believe, wants this prayer group. She brings in the people and pulls them toward Jesus. He captures their hearts, and they want to come back."