Faculty, staff and students in 6th, 7th and 8th grades sing the "Magnificat" for the priests at the luncheon honoring the closing of "Year of the Priests." "The children at the school were given names of all of the priests in the diocese, and they prayed for each priest every single day through out the school year," said Sister Paz Aribon, O.P., principal of St. Anthony School.

With the "Year for Priests" rapidly drawing to a close, Principal Sister Paz Aribon of St. Anthony School in Robstown decided that the school should host a luncheon to honor all of the priests serving in the Diocese of Corpus Christi.

Held on May 25 in the school's gym, 18 priests including Bishop Emeritus Edmond Carmody, were treated to lunch and entertainment by the students, faculty and parents of St. Anthony School.

The 139 school children have spent their 2009-2010 school year praying for the priests of the Diocese of Corpus Christi in observance of the "Year for Priests," declared by Pope Benedict XVI on June 19, 2009 stated Sister Paz.

Each child was given a name of a priest to pray for through out the school year. We invited all of the priests in the diocese to this luncheon, added Sister Paz.

"The 'Year for Priests' ends in June. We decided to dedicate this luncheon to our priests. We are grateful for the priests caring for us," said Sister Paz.

Led by Maria Munoz, parent involvement liaison for St. Anthony, over 30 parents decorated the gym in a western theme, cooked and served the luncheon and filled gift bags for each priest attending the luncheon.

"The priests dedicate so much to us. We wanted to thank them for their service. The priests are our spiritual leaders," said Munoz

All of the students, in grades K-3 thru 8th along with faculty and staff, provided the entertainment.

Performances included pre-kindergarten and kindergarten students singing "Lovely Lady," the first and second graders singing "Blessed Trinity" and the seventh and eighth grade students performing several Tejano and Western dances as the priests and audience clapped in time to the music.

Once the entertainment had concluded, Sister Paz led the priests in a renewal of their vows.

Speaking on behalf of the priests, Bishop Carmody thanked everyone for their hard work in hosting the luncheon, "The Lord listens to the prayers of young children. Through your prayers, may we get new priests. We really appreciate the love you give to your priests."

Then everyone in attendance raised their hands and offered a final blessing for the priests.

The "Year for Priests" ends on June 19, 2010.