By Jeff Peters
Catholic Herald correspondent
Park Falls students journey back to 29 A.D
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Students Natasha Daniels, seventh grade, left, Alison Miller, seventh grade, Bob Schlitz, fourth grade, and school secretary Charlen Schlitz welcome participants to the annual Marketplace, 29 A.D. at the front doors of St. Anthony School in Park Falls. (Photo by Jeff Peters) |
PARK FALLS -- Students at the St. Anthony School took a giant step back in time when they held their annual Marketplace 29 A.D. on Thursday, March 28.
Sixth grade teacher Betty Jarosinski, who helped organize the event along with colleague Kristin Tickler, said the entire student body and faculty dressed in biblical costumes made by students, parents, parishioners and teachers.
"Every participant is in costume," she said. "Adults and teenagers take the roles of shopkeepers and assistants, Roman soldiers, beggars. All the children are divided into 12 groups, the 12 tribes of Israel.
"A marketplace is created, featuring 'shops' where children learn crafts of bible times. Children are given a bag of shekels, which they use to purchase goods from the market. There is also time for biblical song, dance and drama as the day begins and ends," Jarosinski said.
"There are biblical games and an opportunity for athletic skills consistent with bible times. The synagogue school, with a rabbi, further extends the teaching of Jewish culture. Crafts taught in the shops are fun, yet educational and items made in the shops will be kept by the children."
Fourth grader Alan Newbury, a member of the Judah Tribe, said he had a great time. "I am learning a lot about things back in Jesus' time. It was hard to live, but Jesus helped take away the sins of the people.
"It is also cool to dress up in these costumes," Alan said. "I would've liked to live back then, there were a lot of things you could make on your own. I made a hammer, saw, and a fish out of yarn at the Marketplace and spent two shekels."
Principal Brent Balsavich called the event a real religious experience: "This is a excellent religious retreat; everyone is living the experience of Jesus' life, plus it's a lot of fun for everyone involved. The students are having a blast."
Jarosinski said because Marketplace, 29 A.D. was held on Holy Thursday a special lunch was also served. "This meal will combine a celebration of Passover and also remember the Last Supper of Jesus with his Apostles."
© Superior Catholic Herald, 2002