The spirit of Día de los Muertos came alive at St. Bernard School this past Thursday as the school hosted a vibrant and heartwarming celebration for families in the school community. With a mix of traditional customs and modern elements, the event was a beautiful tribute to the Mexican holiday that honors and remembers loved ones who have passed away.
Día de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead, is a Mexican holiday that has been celebrated for centuries. Its traditions involve creating an ofrenda, or altar, to honor the deceased that displays sugar skulls, marigolds, and candles. The holiday is also celebrated with music, food, and crafts. This year, St. Bernard School embraced these traditions wholeheartedly.
As visitors pulled up to the school, they were welcomed by two food trucks: El Bistro Taco and The Dough Shoppe. El Bistro Taco is owned by a St. Bernard family, and they provided a mouthwatering array of Mexican dishes. The enticing aroma of the cuisine filled the air, making it impossible to resist indulging in these authentic culinary delights. The line was around the corner as people eagerly awaited trying these delicious foods!
Inside, the event took place in the school’s main hallways and lunchroom, which had been transformed into a festive space. Families were greeted by colorful banners and decorations as they entered the school doors. The main focal point of the celebration was the ofrenda which was adorned with photographs, marigold flowers, and mementos of those being remembered. This ofrenda had been blessed earlier in the day by Father Adam Bradley of St. Bernard Parish and Father José Lopez of St. Peter and Paul. All of the students gathered to attend this special blessing.
The school’s community building committee organized a delightful photo booth where families could capture special memories of the evening. In addition, children and their parents gathered around tables laden with art supplies to create traditional Dia de los Muertos crafts. They made paper marigold flowers, decorated calaveras, and constructed mini skeletons of their own. It was a time for families to connect, share stories, and express their creativity.
Live music played a significant role in the event, with a local band El Trio de Mexico setting the festive tone. Attendees were seen dancing and clapping along to the joyful tunes, celebrating life and the memories of their departed loved ones. One of the main musicians, Emmanuel, was a former student who attended St. Bernard School. “It was a great opportunity to give back to my school. I was excited to be able to share my talents with the current school community,” he said. In addition, the school’s band performed a song for their families in attendance led under the direction of Ms. Brenda Winkler.
Despite it being the inaugural year, St. Bernard’s Dia de los Muertos event was an incredible success with over 200 people in attendance. It served as a beautiful example of how cultural traditions can be embraced and celebrated in a diverse and inclusive way, bringing people of all backgrounds together to commemorate their shared values of love and remembrance. “I was so impressed with the entire event. It was wonderful to be able to come together as a school community to celebrate such a meaningful holiday in my culture. I look forward to attending next year,” said Yesenia, a school parent.
Visit the school’s Facebook page at St. Bernard School to view photos from this event. The two photo albums are here and here.
St. Bernard Catholic School (PK3-8) is part of the Green Bay Area Catholic Education (GRACE) School System. It is a private Catholic school with open enrollment serving preschool students and elementary students from Kindergarten through 8th grade. St. Bernard provides an individualized education in a faith-based environment. Each child is supported not only academically, but spiritually.