Redemptorist St. Gerard School Educates, Evangelizes Students and Community

The students' love for Friday school Mass at Redemptorist St. Gerard School in Baton Rouge conveys it's a highlight of their week. The altar servers and lectors reverently carry out their roles, and the student choir sings Gospel songs with gusto.

With the support of parents, staff, and volunteers from around the diocese, many students embrace the school's efforts to educate the whole child. 

Bishop Michael G. Duca visited Redemptorist students and staff during October, beginning with Mass. He walked among the students in his interactive homily and discussed the regalia he wears and uses that signifies a bishop’s authority in the church: the miter, crosier, or shepherd’s staff, the pectoral cross, and bishop's ring.

Then referring to the Gospel reading of that day (Luke 11:1-4), the bishop explained the meaning of the Our Father prayer. He described the Our Father as containing everything people need to know about being a disciple of Christ.

"We want to say that prayer because that's the prayer Jesus gave to us, that God gives to us to reach out to him," said Bishop Duca.   
Top right photo: Bishop Duca walks among the students during his Mass homily during his recent visit to Redemptorist St. Gerard School. Photos by Debbie Shelley
Above Photo: The Redemptorist St. Gerard School Choir sings a gospel song.
Following Mass, the bishop visited the classrooms and then met with the school's administrators. They shared with him the school's successes in their mission of creating a caring community where students can grow spirituality and academically and develop their God-given potential. 

Michelle Wheeler, RSG principal, noted that since last school year, the Catholic student population grew from 19 to 31 percent.

"We had ten students who joined the church last year at the Easter Vigil Mass," said Wheeler.

Seven more non-Catholic students are in the process of joining the church this year so far, she added

Academically, Wheeler coordinated the teachers' schedules with volunteers' availability.
To assess how students are doing in reading, math, and early literacy, the school utilizes the Renaissance Star testing.  

"Based on all this data, we determined where the students should be. We have volunteers that are working from kindergarten through eighth grade, also including in our REACH (special education) program," said Wheeler.

Volunteers work with students whose Star, TerraNova and Leap tests scored indicate they need intervention. The Star tests measure the students' progression. According to Wheeler, the overall Star test scores of the students has increased significantly since the beginning of the school year.
The students eagerly answer Bishop Duca's questions while he visits their classrooms.
The teachers pointed out that students look forward to the volunteers' visits. 

Among those is Jim LeBlanc, who enjoys watching the students respond enthusiastically as they grow in their academic and social skills.

"I am so blessed to have Mr. Jim come to our class," said Yolanda Marcell, who teaches the fifth-eighth grade REACH students. "He is now a part of our family. He gives up his time to be a blessing to all of us – not just the students, but the teachers as well. Each week, we work together on what the students are learning, and he truly listens. He brings his own materials, and I also share things for him to work on. He is such an asset to our class and our community.”

Student J. McPipe said, " Mr. Jim is a great person. He helps me with my spelling and math, and I really enjoy working with him.”

LeBlanc also helps K. Augustus with his spelling words.

"He makes it fun by playing different games to help me remember them," said Augustus. "He even lets me write on the whiteboard, which I love.”

J. David noted that LeBlanc "has a good heart to come and volunteer with us" and is a "really cool guy and good listener."

Jayla McPipe added, “I love when Mr. Jim reads stories to us. It makes the whole class happy. He’s really fun and funny.”

Volunteer Jim LeBlanc reads to the students in the REACH class. Photo provided by Redemptorist St. Gerard SchoolLaRonda Humphrey, RSG dean of students, said the teamwork of everyone at the school impacts the students' lives.

“I think a lot of that is due to the improvement with the behaviors that we've addressed. We're standing firm in our beliefs, our Catholic curriculum, and the standards we've set for our students and families," said Humphrey

Humphrey said she considers it her mission to show the students, families, and staff genuine love, respect, and dignity. 

"I tell my students all the time that no matter what they're going through it's their responsibility to do their best and give the world the best version of themselves."

Father Tat Hoang, pastor of St. Gerard Church, emphasized that the church and school's work is evangelistic.

"We are a mission school," said Father Hoang. "We teach them how to pray, we teach them how to understand God's will, God's words. and God's teaching. At the same time, we teach them how to respect each other and love themselves, others, and God."

He said the core focus of the school's mission is academic excellence and spiritual formation.

"Spiritual formation is not just teaching them the catechism but teaching them how to live a good moral life and discern well," Father Hoang said.

The school and church play a vital role in providing stability within the community, emphasized Father Hoang. A neighbor of the church and school thanked them for being there, because every time she hears the bells ring she feels peace.

"On a beautiful Thursday morning, I walked around the property, and the children were screaming and yelling my name from the playground. They were dressed so well. And I saw poor families visiting Seelos Hall, picking up their goods and clothing. And I thought, 'Man this is heaven right here.'"