Lower and Upper School students recently had the unique opportunity of recording on the airwaves of Radio Maria Canada, Canada’s Catholic Radio Station. In a special visit for each division of our school, we travelled up to Woodbridge ON, to be welcomed and coached by media professionals and to spend the day learning about radio journalism, participating in broadcasts, and lifting our hearts.
In a live recording that was also streamed on Facebook and YouTube, our Grades 5 and 6 students led the way by providing the choral singing and readings for Mass on Monday, March 23rd in Radio Maria’s very own chapel. Thank you to Fr. Terry McKenna for shepherding us in this beautiful Eucharistic celebration. The choir was led by Ms. Szalados and Miss Kim, who also played the organ. Emma did the reading in the Mass, Maria said the responsorial psalm, and Reyna, Livia, Avriela, Aisosa, Sena said the Prayers of the Faithful.
Following Holy Mass, we enjoyed lunch and then had the opportunity to make several studio recordings. We began with a jingle for station advertising: ‘You are listening to Radio Maria Canada. A Catholic voice wherever you are’ and, for younger listeners, ‘You’re listening to Seedlings here on Radio Maria Canada.’ We then took turns recording the rosary; Avriella, Eliza, Icy, Livia, Sena, Emma recited the Sign of the Cross, the Apostles’ Creed, the Our Father, the Hail Mary, the Glory Be, the Fatima Prayer, Hail, Holy Queen, and a concluding prayer. Reading commentaries from Ascension Presents, Emma, Juliet, Monica, Aisosa, and Reyna also provided thoughtful reflections on the Joyful Mysteries. Finally, we recorded Bible story readings: Sena read about the conversion of St. Paul and Emma read about the brave Queen Esther.
Next, many of our US students ventured up to Radio Maria on Thursday, March 26th, to do their part in using national media to spread the beauty and truth of the Catholic faith. Thank you to Chiara, Maddy, Mika, Aimilia, Isabella, Victoria, Monica, Viktoria, Mary, Angela, Katelyn, Lucia, and Sofia for your wonderful choral singing at Mass, for recording the prayers of the Rosary, and for reading the commentaries on the Luminous Mysteries. Thank you to our choir directors, Mrs. Pappalardo and Miss Kim, and to Mrs. McRae, Director of Parent, Student, and Alumnae Relations, who also accompanied us.
We are very proud of our students for representing Hawthorn in this meaningful initiative and for sharing their voices and talents with the national community. Special thanks to everyone who helped us at Radio Maria, Canada’s 24hr Catholic radio station who has been bringing a message of joy and hope to our country for the last 30 years!
