I love this picture of my 5th and 6th Grade students at the St. Johnsbury Health and Rehab.  On Holy Thursday I took Laura, Grant, Hope and Ivy to the nursing home to hang up "Happy Easter" pictures that the whole class had drawn for the residents a couple of days before.  Holy Thursday is part of the Easter Triduum (3 days).  On Holy Thursday the Church remembers the institution of the Eucharist, the Catholic priesthood and the great mandatum (mandate to serve with humility) at the Last Supper Jesus had with his apostles.  The Mandatum is represented at the Mass on Holy Thursday by the priest washing the feet of twelve disciples symbolizing their own personal call to humble service.

These students performed "humble service" by traveling to the Rehab, hanging posters and chatting with various residents. I hope that it is an experience that they will remember.   We arrived their during lunchtime and I am happy that so many residents were able to witness Good Shepherd Catholic School students performing works of love.

I was very proud of them.  It can be a bit scary for kids that age to interact with elderly and the infirm, but they were real troopers; or should I say, they were real disciples of Christ!

Your donation to Good Shepherd makes these acts of loving service possible in our Northeast community. Please consider making a donation today. God bless you!

Written By: Father Lance W. Harlow

Date Published: April 2, 2026

Photo Credit: Father Harlow