Bishop Deeley concludes Catholic school visits with trip to St. Thomas School

Bishop Deeley experienced the enthusiasm of the St. Thomas School community on Wednesday, April 13 when he visited the Sanford school for the day. Joining classes from pre-K through grade 8, the bishop enjoyed interactive sessions across the disciplines. This was the bishop's concluding school visit of the 2023-2024 year.

Bishop Deeley was guided through his time at the school by Angela Madigan, principal, and Fr. Bill Labbe, pastor of St. Thérèse of Lisieux Parish. At the end of the day, Principal Madigan, who is in her first year in the role, shared a presentation highlighting successes of the year, as well as how students are living the mission. She has shared this presentation with members of the wider community previously.

During the course of the day, Bishop Deeley read to some of the younger students and was treated to several singing performances. In the kindergarten class, students asked the bishop to take a photo with a shark for the "Jesus is FIN-tastic" photo wall. In grade 2, students shared drawings they had done of the bishop, Fr. Labbe and Marianne Pelletier, superintendent of Maine Catholic Schools and asked them to draw crosses of ashes so the pictures could be added to the Lent wall outside their classroom.

Bishop Deeley learned from students who were growing and tracking the progress of crystals, played the game Rota, and did fractions with the 7th and 8th graders.

priest drawing with student
Bishop watching students write on whiteboard
Bishop playing game with student
Bishop writing on whiteboard
Bishop talking to students
Bishop talking to students in classroom
Bishop with the St. Thomas School leaders
Bishop reading to students in classroom
Bishop reading to students
Bishop with shark inflatable to celebrate learning