Saturday, April 17, 2004
Making bread has become part of the religious studies at St. Patrick School.
By TIM YOVICH
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
HUBBARD -- The second-grade class at St. Patrick School got a hands-on lesson Friday about the meaning of their upcoming First Communion.
By making bread in the church basement, teacher Mellony Leonard said, the 26 pupils were able to relate the importance of bread to the Last Supper.
On May 1, the Catholic pupils will receive the sacrament of Holy Communion for the first time.
The idea of making the bread as part of their religious studies was the idea of parent Marcy Sebest of Campbell.
"They have religious classes four days a week. Everything ties together," said Sebest, who got the idea of baking the bread from a nun.
Parents donated the flour and yeast and helped with the baking.
"This is the first time we've done it," Sebest said.
She explained that flour represents the dust of the beginning, and the loaves are shaped to the children's liking, as Christ molds us to his liking.
The class had previously taken a field trip to Great Harvest Bakery in Boardman to get an idea of how bread is made professionally.
They returned with wheat seeds that have been growing in their classroom, Sebest explained.
Two types of loaves
On Friday, the pupils made two types of small loaves.
The "trinity rolls," which Sebest said they have come to be known, are in the shape of a clover to signify the trinity -- Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
The trinity rolls were used in a prayer service later in the afternoon. The other loaves, in various shapes with a cross etched on the top, were taken home by the pupils to share with their families.
Pupils Alexandra Colacino and Emily Frazzini, both of Hubbard, and Nick Ezzo of Liberty said making baking was a good learning experience for them.
Avianna Danta of Brookfield said that "bread is a living thing like us" and that she has worked hard toward her upcoming First Communion.
"I'm excited that I can have the body and blood of Christ," Mackenzie Pallante said of receiving the sacrament.
"I want to receive Jesus Christ," said Joey Sebest of Campbell, noting the bread becomes the body and blood of Christ after being blessed during Mass.
yovich@vindy.com