Kids wear red to show respect for Nolan

Mother Catherine Academy 8th graders Natalie Thompson of Clements and Sara Burroughs of Mechanicsville raise the Maryland State and American Flags at the beginning of the school day.

Helen, MD – Let’s wear “Red T-Shirts for Nolan!” Adults can learn a lot from watching children. Catholic school students in St. Mary’s County wanted to do something special to honor Nolan Scully on his funeral day. Four-year-old Nolan Scully wanted his funeral day to be like a party, Principal Anthony Wojt told TheBayNet.com.

Students at Mother Catherine Academy expressed their love and condolences by wearing red t-shirts to school instead of uniforms Friday, Feb. 10.

Wojt said, “It was Nolan’s dream for people to have a party on his funeral day and people would wear red.” Wojt told TheBayNet.com that students must donate a dollar in order to not wear their uniform. “All money collected will be donated to the Scully family,” he said.

Each morning, students of Mother Catherine Academy line up in the multi-purpose room for prayer and a motivational scripture reading before going to class. Wojt said,

“Most days Father Drew comes over and leads us in prayer.” At that moment, Father Drew walked in.

A special ‘Hail Mary’ said in unison by the group led by Father Drew, Pastor of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church of Morganza.

“Blessed are those who mourn, said Father Drew” It is ok to be sad, he told the children. “God keeps reminding us that we are supposed to be in Heaven,” he said. Father Drew asked the group of children, “Where do you belong?” They shouted back “In Heaven!”

7th graders Olivia Jenkins and Olivia Zabko graced the students with Paul’s first letter to Corinthians from Chapter 13 verses 1-7.

It reads: If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing.

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

In their small way, the children of Mother Catherine Academy were honoring to the spirit of Nolan Friday, Feb. 10.