RIDGEFIELD—St. Mary School in Ridgefield returned to school this Monday, August 30. Students started off the day with a “backpack blessing,” performed by Msgr. Royal, pastor of St. Mary Church. 
Students were given tags to attach to their backpacks with the following blessing:
Lord, bless these backpacks and the children and youth who carry them as they begin yet another year of school. Give them peace when they feel nervous, focus when they feel distracted, energy when they feel tired. Open their minds to the lessons they will learn both in and outside the classroom. Help them to make friends that build one another up, and be friends to those who need them. Guide them in making good choices as they grow in wisdom and maturity. Be ever-present with them in the classroom, on the school bus, on the playground, and at home, and may they feel your loving care in all they do. Amen.
About St. Mary School
St. Mary School is committed to academic excellence, a strong faith-based education, and a nurturing community environment where students thrive intellectually, spiritually and socially. Students’ mission can be summed up by the sentiment, “Work Hard, Be Kind and Smile.”
(For more information visit: www.smsridgefield.org)
