Faith in Action: Students at St. Fabian School Celebrate Our Lady of Guadalupe
If you’re in Farmington Hills, there’s been a beautiful moment of faith that has lit up the halls of St. Fabian School. On December 12, a whopping 70 students from fifth to eighth grade knelt in reverence before an image of Our Lady of Guadalupe, marking her feast day with a profound act of faith as they consecrated themselves to Jesus through His Blessed Mother.
Preparation in the Spirit of Learning
The students spent a whole month preparing for this significant moment, diving into the insightful pages of the book “33 Days to Morning Glory: A Do-It-Yourself Retreat In Preparation for Marian Consecration” by Fr. Michael E. Gaitley, MIC. Alongside their reading, they embraced the tradition of praying a daily decade of the rosary and sacrificed some of their coveted recess and lunch hours once a week to engage in small group discussions. What an inspiring commitment!
The initiative sparked from the heart of Fr. Matthew Kurt, who, poised to renew his own Marian consecration on this special day (which also happens to be his birthday), wanted to extend this transformative experience to both the parish and school. He reached out to Kim Kerwin, the parish director of religious education and a middle school theology teacher, to make this vision a reality.
No Pressure, Just Faith
Initially, Fr. Kurt and Kerwin anticipated that only a mere ten students might brave the idea of giving up their free time for this spiritual journey. To their surprise, 70 students enthusiastically signed up, eager to learn and grow together.
“We told the kids, ‘Absolutely no pressure; nobody has to do it, but if you want to do this, you are going to meet with us once a week during lunch and recess,’” Kerwin shared. The result was overwhelming: kids who typically might shy away from such commitments stepped into this opportunity with open hearts.
Building Community Through Faith
Kerwin cleverly organized the students in small groups, separating boys and girls by grade and appointing eighth graders to lead each group. They encouraged the youth to partake in confession as a part of their prep—what an incredible way to get ready for a heartfelt consecration!
Remarkably, the fruits of this spiritual undertaking were already shining bright before they even knelt for the final act. “We’ve heard some really great conversations among the kids,” Kerwin remarked. The insights shared among classmates took the form of reflections on Mary, conversations about the Immaculate Conception, and an overwhelming sense of belonging that knitted them tighter as a school community.
Sharing the Experience Beyond School
Even outside the school’s walls, many students came together with their families to read the book. Eighth-grader Sophia Toma completed the consecration alongside her younger brother and her mom, turning this into a cherished family activity. “We would all do it together at night — we would talk about it and pray together,” Sophia said, noting the joyful experience of growing closer to Mary.
Consecration Day: A Moment to Remember
On the feast day, the atmosphere was full of reverence as Fr. Kurt gathered the students in the chapel. Kneeling before the Blessed Sacrament and the image of Our Lady of Guadalupe, they prepared to read the consecration prayer together and place roses at the foot of her image. Fr. Kurt reminded the students, “Mary will come and comfort you with the comfort that only a mother could give.” This moment was not just ceremonial, but a heartfelt connection to a loving mother figure in the faith.
Looking Ahead
After this moment of consecration, Kerwin expressed immense pride in witnessing her students’ growth in faith. The enthusiasm bubbled over as students who did not participate this year eagerly inquired if they could join in the next time. “Your lives are different now; you are not who you were yesterday,” Kerwin inspired her students. Each child walked away with a mission—to carry the lessons learned and to continue embracing their faith.
In Farmington Hills, St. Fabian School has shown just how vibrant faith can be when community and personal commitment unite. A warm gathering of youthful hearts and a shared journey of faith authentically breathe life into the school spirit!
