COAL TOWNSHIP - Our Lady of Lourdes Regional School gathered to celebrate the feast of its patroness, Our Lady of Lourdes, on Feb. 11.
The program included a prayer service and the induction ceremonies for the French and Spanish honor societies, La Societe Honoraire de Francais and La Sociedad Honoraria Hispanica.
Deacon Martin P. McCarthy, Lourdes administrator and high school principal, presided over the prayer service, which was coordinated by French teacher Ann Mains and Spanish teacher Brian Major.
Nicholas Taylor welcomed the congregation to the prayer service. CharLee Rosini and Caitlyn Funk led the congregation in praying the Hail Mary in French and English, John Fitzpatrick and Michael Sowash led the litany of Our Lady of Lourdes in Spanish and English and Dakota Maneval read the Intercessions. John Fitzpatrick was the crossbearer.
Kara Kuehner and Ania Rawa conducted the candle-lighting ceremony, "La Course du Flambeau," during which three new members were inducted into the Societe Honoraire de Francais. The new members include Dakota Maneval, Caitlyn Funk and Grace Rompolski. After the induction, Rompolski led the French students as they prayed the Consecration a la Sainte Mere de Dieu.
Peyton Klembara and Richard Gusick conducted the Sociedad Honoraria Hispanica initiation ceremony. The new inductees included Jessica DeLong and Mikayla Persing. Each new member lit a candle, the flame of which symbolizes inspiration toward high ideals.
The purpose of the language honor societies is to reward high scholastic achievement and to stimulate interest in the study of world languages and culture. Candidates must be in at least the second semester of level two of their language studies. They must have also attained a minimum average of 90 in the language for the six quarters prior to their induction.
McCarthy presented certificates to the new inductees.
After the prayer service, a reception was held for the members of the honor societies and their guests.