As told by Granite City's Holy Family Catholic School kindergarten teacher Gina Schubel last week, a story about St. John Bosco, who ministered to poor boys, didn't focus on theology. But the message got through in her regular morning religion lesson to her pupils.
"He built places for homeless people to learn, so they got jobs," Schubel told the attentive 5- and 6-year-olds. "Jesus wants us to show our love for people,"
One of the kindergartners who listened was Thomas Halbrook. Normally, he'd be in his uniform — black pants and a burgundy or white shirt. But it was Red, White and Blue day of Catholic Schools Week, and that meant the kids could be out of uniform. Thomas, 6, wore a red-and-white T-shirt with "Home Run" and "83" on the front.
Thomas raised his hand when Schubel asked how people could show love. "If someone falls down, you can help them," he said.
Arms rose throughout the room from kids who wanted to share their own thoughts.
Then Schubel distributed papers for the kids to draw their own stories. Thomas bore down, with his tongue stuck slightly out of his mouth.
When they were done, Schubel chose partners for all students and told them to say something nice about their other partner.
The lesson on Feb. 2 was like many Schubel teaches. After she tells a story, she applies it.
"We talk about the stories of Jesus," Schubel said. "We learn about saints." Kids also are learning their prayers.
Thomas already has learned a lot. He's learned about the saints and that Jesus was the son of God.
On that particular morning, "We learned how God wants us to treat people," Thomas said.
At home, Thomas sometimes dresses up as a priest and 'says" Mass, his father Michael Halbrook said. "He's eager to learn," he said of his son.
At home, Thomas sometimes has questions. One involved Mass, which he attends every Friday with his classmates. Since he went to Mass on Friday, he asked, does he have to go on Sunday, too?
"That's our obligation. We have to go with our family," his mother Suzanne Halbrook told him. That ended the discussion.
Contact reporter Jim Merkel at 618-344-0264, ext. 138
