As leaders of the Lower School, our sixth graders take on special responsibilities throughout the year — including during spiritual celebrations.

To help them embrace this role, Grade 6 students explored their gifts and prepared to serve their community during the annual Liturgical Ministries Workshop on October 10, 2025. Centered on this year’s theme, “Hospitality Begins with Hello,” the workshop reminded students that service begins with a warm welcome.

Divided into six ministries — altar servers, liturgical dance, decorations, hospitality, lectors, and music — students learned and practiced before putting their spiritual gifts to immediate use during a special commissioning prayer service celebrated by Father Bob Stagg, pastor emeritus of the Church of the Presentation in Upper Saddle River.

During the service, the students were anointed in their ministries as parents, faculty, and fifth graders looked on. Since its founding in 1979, the Liturgical Ministries program has helped students live their faith through leadership and service to the community