Students at Catholic schools in the archdiocese have been reacting to the papal transition in many ways. Some schools have been inspired by Pope Francis to complete works of mercy. Others are writing letters, including to Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI.

Holy Family classes write thank you letters to Pope Emeritus Benedict

Students at Holy Family Academy in St. Louis Park wrote letters to Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI expressing gratitude for his leadership and wishing him well. Here are exerpts from some of them:

“Dear Holy Father, I love you.  Thank you for taking care of us.  I am 7.”  Maximilian Berg, First Grade

“Dear Holy Father, Thank you for being our Pope. I loved you when you were pope.” Cecilia Dick, First Grade

“Dear Holy Father, I am sorry you are resigning so soon. I hope you have a great time. Amen.” Sam Reinhardt, First Grade

“Dear Holy Father, Thank you for your dedication to the church.  You have helped my family learn about love. You have been a great leader of the Catholic Church.”  Bridget Healy, Second Grade

“Dear Holy Father, Thank you for guiding our church with grace and love.  Also, I love you.  Don’t forget that I will always pray for you.” Grace Counts, Second Grade

“Dear Pope Benedict, I will miss you being our Pope.  When it was time for you to retire we all watched you get in the helicopter and shut the door.  My friend was crying and she squeezed my hand and my friend’s hand.  My whole class is praying for you and the new Pope.  I hope you have a good retirement.” Greta Jacobs, Third Grade

“Dear Pope Benedict Emeritus, Thank you for serving as Pope for the last eight years.  You have done a great job leading millions of Catholics around the world.  God has great plans for you and the next Pope.  My family and I will continue praying that the Holy Spirit guides you in your next adventure.” Landon Kerrison, Third Grade

Dear Pope Emeritus, Thank you for your service.  Thank you for your great guidance for the Catholic Church.  It’s cold in Minnesota.  Is it warm where you are?  Was being Pope fun?  I hope you have a great retirement.  We go to Holy Family Academy; it’s a Catholic school.  Did you like school?  What are your favorite hobbies?  Have you ever been to Minnesota?  I will pray for you everyday and that’s a promise! Sam Schroeder, Fourth Grade

Dear Pope Emeritus, I want to thank you for your service. I will pray for you and your health.  I go to a Catholic school with awesome teachers and an awesome principal.  Was it fun being the Pope?  I would like to be a priest and become the Pope someday.  I go to Holy Family Academy.  Did you want to be a priest when you were little? Adam Riley, Fourth Grade

Dear Pope Emeritus, I want to thank you for serving Mass and praying the Rosary for our people.  I also want to thank you for doing God’s Will.  I learned about how the Cardinals vote for a new Pope.  I hope you enjoy your retirement.  I will still pray for you and the Cardinals.  May God bless you Pope Emeritus! Jonathan Vu, Fourth Grade

Dear Holy Father, Thank you for guiding the Church and being our Father for these past eight years.  Thank you for giving us the Year of Faith, keeping the tradition of World Youth Day, and instructing us in your many great books.  I plan on reading one to help me grow in my faith.  Thank you, Holy Father, for all you have contributed to the Catholic Church. My school has prayed a Novena for you and you are in my prayers.  Kathleen Mealey, Fifth Grade

Dear Holy Father, First of all, I would like to say, “I love you and I love all that you’ve done”.  And, I don’t know if you remember this, but my uncle, Father Isaac, was an altar server for you.  Also, thank you for giving us the Year of Faith, the Year of Priests, new Saints and new Doctors of the Church.   I am so glad that you said, “Yes”, to be God’s “pencil”.  I love you and will always miss you.  Madison Miller, Fifth Grade

Dear Holy Father, I have seen all of the good you have done for this world.  You lovingly wrote books and always cared for us.  As you were slowly saying your goodbyes to all of the people, I thought: always remember that God has chosen you to lead; you are very important!  We thank you for keeping the Truths so close to us.  You are a Father to us all!  Sri Peck, Fifth Grade

Pope Francis is example for school’s works of mercy

Inspired by the words and example of the new pontiff, the students and faculty at St. Croix Catholic School in Stillwater are collecting needed items for the residents of the Little Sisters of the Poor. The eighth grade will be visiting the residents later this month, allowing them to be agents of God’s love and mercy to the residents and being recipients of that love from the residents.