Ecumenical Thanksgiving Service at St. Bernard

St. Bernard Prep School's annual Ecumenical Thanksgiving Service was held in the Abbey Church at 11:15 a.m. on Thursday, November 15, 2007.  Each year students and staff of the school are given the opportunity to invite clergy representing their various congregations and religious traditions. The service was composed of prayers, psalms, scripture readings and hymns that helped those present to be aware of and thank God for His loving care.  The visiting clergymen offer the prayers and scripture readings, and the students offer thanks and petitions to God as they lay symbols of their lives before the altar.  A guest clergyman is asked to deliver a sermon as well.  This year's speaker was The Rev. Perry Brown, Pastor of Flint Creek Baptist Church in Vinemont.  The St. Bernard Choral Ensemble under the direction of Rodney Basenburg took part in the service.  This service was followed by a dinner for all guests, students, faculty and staff.  The guest clergymen were served by the students.

Fr. Joel Martin, O.S.B., Headmaster of the School said, "This is an opportunity for all of us in the school community to give thanks to God for the many gifts we have received, and to do so along with those pastors, ministers and priests who are so important in the lives of our students.  These men are very busy, so we are all impressed with and grateful for their taking time to join us."

The following ministers were present:  The Rev. Robert Blackwell, Grace Episcopal Church, Cullman ; The Rev. Perry Brown, Flint Creek Baptist Church, Vinemont; The Rev. Chuck Canterbury, St. Andrew's United Methodist Church, Cullman; The Rev. Patrick P. Cullen, St. Aloysius Church, Bessemer; The Rev. Michael Deering, St. Elizabeth Anne Seton Church, Gardendale; St. Henry, Warrior; The Rev. Robert Kurtz, St. John's Evangelical Protestant Church, Cullman; The Rev. Richard Lawson, St. John's Episcopal Church, Decatur; The Rev. John McDonald, St. Peter the Apostle Church, Birmingham; The Rev. Philip N. O'Kennedy, Church of St. John the Baptist, Madison; The Rev. Raymond J. Remke, Annunciation of the Lord Church, Decatur; The Rev. Warren Ruland, St. Paul's Lutheran Church, Cullman; Sr. Teresa Walsh, C.S.J., Annunciation of the Lord Church, Decatur.

Those present from St. Bernard were: Fr. Marcus Voss, O.S.B., Fr. John O'Donnell, O.S.B., and Fr. Joel Martin, O.S.B.  Fr. John is assistant pastor of Sacred Heart Church in Cullman.  Rebecca Whited served as organist with special music provided by St. Bernard Prep School's Music Department.

The Homily was offered by Rev. Perry Brown  Flint Creek Baptist Church at Vinemont.   Rev.  Brown has been a part of the Ecumenical Prayer service since he became pastor of the church in 2003.  Kathy Wooten, mother of senior Christina Wooten said that Perry thought it was  special being asked to speak to the students by Headmaster,  Father Joel.   Perry read from the book of Exodus about Moses parting the sea and how the Israelites praised god for leading them out. He then commented, "Most people think of thanksgiving as a time when Alabama and 'whatchamacallit'  play football.  However,  on a serious note,  times with family, friends and community are all parts of God's blessings."

Prayers of thanksgiving and petition were offered by individual students.  During this time students brought gifts to the altar which represented gratitude for food, faith, education, athletic ability, patriotism, family, books, and  the alumni of St. Bernard.  After the students presented their gifts, Kathy Wooten commented, "I think this is wonderful because in reality this is why we should be thankful. "It is an example that every  church denomination should follow because sometimes these gifts are forgotten by everyone.  She ended by saying, "I admire St. Bernard for considering every child's beliefs.   This has been very touching to all of  us.  It made  all students feel a part of the service."

The conclusion of the service was especially touching with the singing of  "America the Beautiful" by those in attendance.  Father Joel then thanked the guest in attendance for coming.  Following the mass, students, faculty and staff joined the guest pastors for a delicious Thanksgiving meal.