The church at Saint Pius X Regional School in Bowie, Maryland, filled with the sound of students singing “the never-ending, reckless love of God.” The hymn set the tone for the Nov. 8 Mass marking Native American Heritage Month, a celebration that invited students to reflect on faith, humility, and respect for creation as shared values across cultures.
The liturgy was celebrated by Auxiliary Bishop Evelio Menjívar of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Washington, with Father Michael Jones, pastor of Saint Pius X Parish, and Father Nathaniel Roberts, parochial vicar of Sacred Heart Parish in Bowie, as concelebrants. The Mass was sponsored by the Office of Cultural Diversity and Outreach, which promotes appreciation for the many cultures that enrich the life of the Church in the archdiocese.
Before the Mass began, first grader Sydney Soriaga and sixth grader Arzu Kojesta presented the life of Saint Kateri Tekakwitha, the first Native American saint. They shared how Saint Kateri, known as the “Lily of the Mohawks,” remained steadfast in faith despite hardship, devoting her life to prayer and service before her death at age 24.
In his opening remarks, Bishop Menjívar reminded students that holiness is a universal calling.
“Since we were baptized in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, we are called to be saints,” he said. “All people, everyone, have been called to be saints. We are walking together on that journey.”
During his homily, the bishop reflected on the Church’s cultural diversity and the unity of faith that binds all people as members of one family.
“At Saint Pius X, I see that diversity in your students, teachers, and families,” he said. “People from many backgrounds, united in faith and love, eager to build a culture where everyone lives in peace.”
He spoke about values found in Native American spirituality, such as gratitude, harmony, and reverence for creation, and encouraged students to recognize holiness in daily life.
“Saint Kateri teaches us that we can honor our traditions, be truly who we are, care for creation, and follow Christ with courage and joy,” he said.
As the liturgy concluded, Principal Ann Gillespie thanked Bishop Menjívar for celebrating the Mass and invited several sixth-grade students to perform a short skit about living out their Catholic identity. When the performance ended, the bishop continued his visit by stopping into several classrooms to meet with students in both sixth and first grade.
In Ms. Vicki Johnson’s sixth-grade religion class and Mrs. Jennifer Hinckley’s math class, students asked the bishop about his ministry and what life is like as a bishop. When one student asked if he had ever met the pope, Bishop Menjívar smiled.
“I was able to meet Pope Francis when he came here about ten years ago,” he said. “I met him again just a few months before he died, when I was in Rome for a bishops’ program.”
He added that he had recently met Pope Leo XIV during a trip to Rome. “It’s wonderful because you can speak to him in English or Spanish,” he said.
The discussion turned to the symbols of the bishop’s office, including the small cap worn by bishops and the pope. “This is my zucchetto. We take it off in front of Jesus,” he explained. “In Spanish, it is called solideo, which means ‘only before God.’ We wear it as a reminder that everything we do, we do before God.”
Later, in a first-grade classroom, that same cap inspired another question. When a student asked what it meant, Bishop Menjívar smiled again. “My hat means I’m a shepherd — a shepherd of souls, a shepherd of people,” he said. “That’s what a bishop is called to be.”
In Ms. Corinne Rémy’s first-grade class, the bishop’s answer led students to share who they were and where their families came from, naming countries, regions, and states that reflected the diversity of their classroom. The conversation about ancestry prompted Bishop Menjívar to speak about how shared heritage connects all people. He told the children that when he had taken a DNA test, he discovered family ties to several regions of the world, reminding them that “we are all part of one human family.”
In Ms. Tara Davey’s first-grade class, students eagerly spoke about their recent project on Saint Kateri Tekakwitha. When the bishop asked what they had learned, hands shot up across the room.
“She was an orphan,” one student said. Another added that Saint Kateri lived “a long time ago” and had survived an illness that left her face scarred. When the bishop prompted them with the first letter, the class chorused, “Smallpox!”
Students went on to share how Saint Kateri prayed often, fasted, and lived in the 1600s — long before photographs existed. The bishop smiled as he listened, praising their enthusiasm. Before leaving, he thanked the students for their thoughtful answers.
“You did a wonderful job learning about Saint Kateri and sharing her story,” he said. “Keep learning, keep praying, and remember, you are all called to be saints too.”
