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Family, friends turn out for Our Lady of Guadalupe Academy blessing
By Joyce Coronel, news@catholicsun.org
November 6, 2008
QUEEN CREEK — Parents, teachers and students gathered Oct. 17 to bless and dedicate the East Valley’s latest Catholic preschool.
Sr. Melita Penchalk, OSBM, the assistant superintendent for the diocese’s Catholic schools, told the crowd that early childhood education is important because it serves as a transition from the home to a school atmosphere. The fact that the 54 students enrolled at Our Lady of Guadalupe Academy will learn in an atmosphere of faith is crucial.
“A child should be aware that he or she is a child of God,” said Sr. Melita, citing the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd program the school uses as a means to develop confidence and knowledge of the faith. “Children need to learn about the goodness and love of God.”
Parishioner Stan Selmer, one of the coordinators of the effort to get the preschool and kindergarten up and running, spoke to those gathered about why he thinks early childhood Catholic education is vital.
“They say most of our priests come from religious schools,” Selmer said, adding that when he looked out at the dozens of uniform-clad children standing beside their parents, he saw future priests, bishops and maybe even a cardinal or two.
His wife Paula agreed. “Our children are our future,” she said. “This is where it starts.”
Candace Bejarano, mother of 3-year-old Sophia, said her daughter was one of the first children enrolled in the school.
“You can feel the presence of God here, all the way from the director to the teachers. Everyone has been warm and receptive,” Bejarano said.
Noah Adamo, a 4-year-old student, said he enjoys the painting and story time at the school. His younger sister Lily will attend the school next year.
“I really like the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd,” his mother Heather said. “When we go to Mass, he recognizes things and it’s easier for him to participate.”
Andy Romley, the school’s director, said parents who choose to send their children to Our Lady of Guadalupe Academy do so because they prize the Catholic character of the school.
“They come for the faith and because we have a faith-based program,” Romley said, adding that students come from all over the southeast Valley, including a few from Pinal County.
“It’s the perfect marriage of Catholic faith, living the Gospel daily and what a quality childhood education is,” Romley said of the school.
And while the Our Lady of Guadalupe Academy currently has just four classrooms, Romley sees a bright — and bigger — future ahead.
“Our goal is to serve the children in our area,” she said, adding that next year the school will also have a first-grade class.
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