ST. IRENAEUS SCHOOL DICOVERS "THE KEY TO CHRISTMAS"
In October of 2007, one of the parents at St. Irenaeus School in Oakmont PA presented the Second Grade Teacher with a wonderful, inspirational book titled:
THE KEY TO CHRISTMAS, by author, Rod Hess. Mrs. Corbett, an avid lover of children's books, personally read the book, fell in love with it and had a wonderful idea. She approached the Principal about having an assembly at which the story could be read aloud, and at the end of the story each student would receive an actual "KEY" to Christmas! The idea became a reality and in preparation for this event, our generous maintenance man, Henry, obtained enough shiny gold keys to give to each student. Mrs. Corbett, at the same time, was dealing with her mother's battle with cancer and soon another great idea surfaced. To help her mother through the lonely days of facing chemo treatments, Mrs. Corbett would sit with her mother, "Mitzi", in the Alle-Kiski hospital and prepare the 120 keys by tying Christmas ribbons to each one. "Mitzi" was delighted to help and it filled her with joy to know that each student would receive these in time for Christmas. Her illness prevented her from attending the actual reading of the story that her daughter Paula was to do very soon.
A few days before Christmas, the time came for
THE KEY TO CHRISTMAS to be revealed to the students at St. Irenaeus. The excitement was building as Mrs. Corbett, donned with a Santa hat, had all the children gathered around her to listen to the story of what is the real key to Christmas. The oral reading of the story held everyone's attention, and the suspense was building. When the story was completed, each student anxiously made their way to Mrs. Corbett's basket and each personally received their KEY knowing that each was lovingly prepared by Mrs. Corbett and her mother. Photos of the event were shared with "Mitzi" as her days of battling cancer were getting shorter and shorter. A few weeks later, "Mitzi" died, and next to her coffin was her KEY. Everyone knew that she had the most special KEY of all, the Key to HEAVEN!
When
THE KEY TO CHRISTMAS was first introduced to St. Irenaeus School, little did anyone realize the depth and breadth that this inspirational book would bring. In late January, as everyone was preparing for the School Open House and the Annual Book Fair, another idea surfaced. Let's have the author, Rod Hess, be present during our Open House to meet our students, parents and visitors who would come to our school that day. Meeting the "real" author of a book a child reads, is a rare and magical event. Students couldn't wait to meet the author, Rod Hess, and bring mom and dad to meet this person who inspired them through THE KEY TO CHRISTMAS. Yes, books were sold that day, but most importantly, the message would continue to go out among the children---the timeless message that THE KEY TO CHRISTMAS held in its pages.
Reading is important, as we all know, but reading and being gifted with a message that will last a lifetime is priceless!
-Sr. Carol Ann Papp, OSF - Principal
St. Irenaeus School-Oakmont PA
Read What Some Kids Have Said About The Book . . .
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