CULLMAN, Ala. – The students, faculty and staff of St. Bernard Prep School in Cullman celebrated their annual Thanksgiving service Wednesday before the Thanksgiving holiday week. Thirteen clergy and personnel from the Cullman area and beyond took part in the service composed of prayers, psalms, scripture readings and hymns, and students offered thanks and petitions to God as they lay symbols of the various aspects of their lives before the altar of the Abbey Church.
After several scripture readings were heard in English, Chinese, German, Korean and Spanish, representing some of the various nations and cultures of students in the school community, those in attendance heard the message given by Mr. Dale Moore of St. Andrew’s United Methodist Church in Cullman. Moore reminisced about sitting exactly where the students were that day of the service, but some 45 years ago. He reminded all to be joyful, to pray without ceasing and to be thankful in everything – thereby blessing others.
Instrumental music was provided by St. Bernard Preparatory School’s band, headed by Jonathan Farley, and choral music was provided under the direction of Michael Kastner, director of Fine Arts at the school. Organist for the service was Jannie Ratliff of Sacred Heart Church in Cullman, who also serves as organist of St. Andrew’s Methodist Church in the city.
St. Bernard Prep President, Father Joel Martin, O.S.B., 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 and women are very busy, so we are all impressed with and grateful for their taking time to join us in going to God with thankful hearts and minds.”
The service was followed by a dinner for all guests, students, faculty and staff. The special guests were served by the students.
Representing Saint Bernard Prep was the founder of the first Thanksgiving Prayer Service at St. Bernard, Sr. Marian Davis of Sacred Heart Monastery, and Abbot Marcus Voss, Fr. Joel Martin and Fr. Linus Kluscarits, along with Deacon Tim Vaughn, who serves as instructor in the natural sciences at the school.
