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Students of San Francisco’s St. Philip the Apostle School carried 17 individual candles into a prayer service they organized March 14 memorializing the victims of last month’s Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School shooting in Parkland, Florida. St. Philip was one of nearly a dozen Catholic schools in the archdiocese that organized prayer-centered events on the same day that students across the country walked out of class in protest of gun violence.
March 29, 2018
Compiled by Tom Burke
Students from Catholic schools in the Archdiocese of San Francisco joined thousands across the nation in demonstrations March 14 marking the one-month anniversary of the murder of 17 people at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida. Some students prayed and others demonstrated in the National School Walkout, a student-led response to the tragedy.
MARIN CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL: “Inspired by the movements of a nation, the Marin Catholic community began a discussion, a discussion which culminated in a reverent call to action: “Wildcats Walk Together,” the school said. People “from all corners of the school community spent many early mornings in planning.” On March 14, hundreds walked in silence and formed a circle on the football field. Students Emma Heidinger and Bella Nickel sang “Amazing Grace.” As they sang, 17 members of the school community, teachers walked to the center. The community then joined in prayer. As the ceremony drew to a close, those in attendance exchanged hugs and handshakes and ideas. “Marin Catholic stands with the brave students of Stoneman Douglas,” said senior Alex Simard, who described the day for Catholic San Francisco. “On March 14 we walked together, may we continue to walk, may we continue to remember our school is one of many, and united we form a tapestry of support, a community of light, and a generation of action.”
ST. IGNATIUS COLLEGE PREPARATORY, SAN FRANCISCO: More than 700 students took part in a student-led event remembering the Parkland victims. City representatives on hand included San Francisco Mayor and SI alumnus Mark Farrell, and Supervisor Katy Tang, who represents the district SI resides in. Also in attendance was SI alumna Maggie Mattson, state executive assistant to U.S. Sen. Dianne Feinstein. Student leaders included seniors Chandler Crump, Gabby Schmidt and junior Kelly Connolly.
NOTRE DAME HIGH SCHOOL, BELMONT: Students demonstrated with “chants and signs” March 14 along Belmont’s Ralston Avenue “in solidarity for 17 minutes representing one minute” for each of the 17 people killed Feb. 14, the school said. “This is to protest Congress’ inaction on gun violence and any reform to the law.” Students set up an installation with 17 empty desks in the entrance to the school library as well as a memorial with the photos of the victims. The walkout was organized by students, staff, and administration. Maryann Osmond, head of school said: “We have encouraged our students to become active in the political dialogue and process. We support and celebrate our students as they organize to make their voices heard on March 14, and at all future planned protests.”
MERCY HIGH SCHOOL, SAN FRANCISCO: In conjunction with a declaration of “Enough is Enough” students observed 17 minutes of silence in memory of those killed Feb. 14. “There is an unprecedented epidemic currently ravaging this country,” said the school’s Campus Leadership Team. “Despite urgent cries spanning the nation, our schools and greater communities continue to be threatened by senseless and preventable gun violence.” Student body president Morgan Hildula said: “Mercy is one of our city’s major trailblazers in terms of social advocacy, and today has been no different. I believe our generation will be the ones to actually effect change in our nation’s policies regarding firearms, and I can’t wait to see what we can accomplish.”
ST. PHILIP THE APOSTLE SCHOOL, SAN FRANCISCO: The eighth grade class held a prayer service March 14 in remembrance of the Parkland victims. Principal Tony LesCallett said the students chose the prayer-centered service as an alternative to the national school walkout staged by high schools. Sixth and seventh graders joined eighth graders in writing speeches, making posters protesting gun violence and choosing prayers for the service during which 17 candles were individually carried in to the church in the name of each victim.
WOODSIDE PRIORY, PORTOLA VALLEY: Photos and flowers marked 17 empty desks in the school’s Schilling Square where hundreds of students gathered in memory of the Parkland shooting victims, the school said. “Students read each of the victims’ names aloud followed by a ringing of a prayer bell. The Chamber Choir performed the song ‘Shine’ that was written in collaboration by several school choir groups. At 10:17 a.m., the walkout concluded with a handshake or hug among the Priory community.”
MERCY HIGH SCHOOL, BURLINGAME: Prayer began the day designed by students “to educate themselves, raise awareness, and encourage action in honor of those lost at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, and as part of the school’s mission and commitment to the Sisters of Mercy’s Critical Concern of Nonviolence,” the school said. “Prior to the march, students and faculty developed a program to incorporate all perspectives on topics such as the Second Amendment, rights of hunters, gun control and causes of violence.” Students marched to nearby El Camino Real where they stood for 17 minutes in memory of those killed Feb. 14. Hundreds driving by the march honked in support. The Sisters of Mercy were the students’ biggest cheerleaders.
ST. ANNE OF THE SUNSET SCHOOL, SAN FRANCISCO: “As a school on Wednesday, March 14, we all stopped what it was we were doing and heard one of our student council members read from Scripture, followed by a reflection on the sanctity of all life, and then finishing with the recitation of 17 Hail Marys for the students killed,” principal Tom White told Catholic San Francisco. “All students came out to the hallways to gather for this prayer service.”
SACRED HEART CATHEDRAL PREPARATORY, SAN FRANCISCO: Students gathered in front of St. Mary’s Cathedral “to express their concerns about gun violence on school campuses across the country, prayerfully honoring the victims of the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School shooting,” the school said. “The walkout – led on campus by several student organizations and with the support of the administration – featured student speakers, student poets, and a moving performance by the SHC Chorus.” In words to fellow students, senior Michael Curran-Levett said: “May our thoughts and prayers be with the people of Parkland, but our actions devoted to change.”
ICA CRISTO REY, SAN FRANCISCO: During the 17 minutes students gathered on Guerrero Street outside the school, “dozens and dozens of cars passed by, honking and waving in saupport and many pedestrians offered their support as well. Students were clearly empowered by this reaction and we all returned to the auditorium feeling like our voices had been ‘heard,’” the school said. “We concluded our observance with a prayer service which included reading names and ages of the Parkland victims; all remained in reflective silence for the final few minutes of our gathering.”
ARCHBISHOP RIORDAN HIGH SCHOOL, SAN FRANCISCO: The school community gathered for an all-school prayer service to honor the Parkland victims “and pledge to continue to recognize and fight for the dignity of all human life,” the school said. As part of the prayer service, the name and background of each victim was read out loud. The Riordan chorale led the school in song.