Elementary students stay after school to say the rosary, spend time with Mary each week
Saint Joseph School in Oradell fosters Marian devotion in elementary school students through its after-school Children’s Rosary Club.
Led by volunteers from the Legion of Mary from Saint Joseph’s Church, Patricia Fakharzadeh and Veronica Ocello, the club meets every Wednesday.
A group of 7th- and 8th-grade members of the Junior Legion of Mary founded the club in 2014, and regularly led younger students in learning about and praying the rosary. At that time the club was run by a former religion teacher, but the COVID-19 pandemic derailed the club until recently when it was revived.
Following a Eucharistic Rosary Congress of perpetual adoration and hourly rosary hosted by the Legion of Mary at St. Joseph’s Church last October, the school decided to bring back the Children’s Rosary Club.
“We participated [in the Congress] as a whole community, church and school,” said Principal Kassie Pierinelli. “Witnessing the children’s devotion gave us the push to bring back the Children’s Rosary Club.”
In January, Fakharzadeh and Ocello hosted the first meeting of the new Children’s Rosary Club at the school. The children made rosaries out of pipe cleaners and flower bouquets.
Five K-2 students now regularly attend the club. The meetings begin with the children laying flowers at the foot of a statue of the Blessed Mother and singing a prayer. Students then do a craft or hands-on activity while listening to a story or lesson relating to one of the Mysteries of the Holy Rosary. Finally, participants pray one decade of the rosary before the meeting is adjourned.
Fakharzadeh credited her own Catholic education and personal devotion to the Blessed Mother for her passion for leading the Children’s Rosary Club.
“When I had a difficult time, somebody suggested to me that I pray to the Blessed Mother. Turning to the Blessed Mother was amazing, and I came through what could have been a disaster unscathed,” she said. “I’d like to get kids more involved in Marian Devotion.”
Ocello was similarly inspired to participate in the club.
“We are trying to spark a love for their religion and the rosary because it is so important,” said Ocello. “We are very pleased that we have the elementary school involved in this. Hopefully, they will gain a love for the rosary and their religion and will continue to say the rosary as they become adults.”
The Children’s Rosary Club, according to Pierinelli, serves as an extension of what the students are already learning in religion class. The club gives students the chance to recite the rosary on “a more regular basis” and work on developing a prayer routine.
“If we can get them excited and enjoying the rosary at school, it’s something they will continue to enjoy at home,” Pierinelli said.
The Children’s Rosary Club is part of a larger goal to integrate the school and faith communities in Oradell. According to both Pierinelli and Father Christian Scalo, the pastor at St. Joseph’s Church, they are working hard to foster a sense of unity in their school and parish communities.
“I am really big on involvement with the school and parish community,” Father Scalo said. “I thought the Rosary Club was a wonderful opportunity to bring the parishioners and the students together. We are one parish family, and it’s awesome.”
