By Jessica Easthope
You could hear a pin drop inside St. Mark’s Church in Sheepshead Bay on March 3 because 500 junior high students from seven Diocese of Brooklyn schools chose silence.
“I really appreciated that we were quiet, everybody was quiet, and it really just made the whole experience much better and much easier to understand,” said Sal Palmeri, an eighth-grader at St. Bernard Catholic Academy.
No phones, no distractions-just the Blessed Sacrament and the quiet voice of God. Palmeri said he left feeling like he had meditated for two hours.
“It’s just really nice to have a nice break and just relax,” he said.
The students prayed, sang and knelt before the Body of Christ—a sharp contrast to their noise-filled lives. Those who organized the rally said the silence is a gift.
“We live in a world that’s full of noise. And when we come here today, the kids buy into it. And I think it was something that they don’t experience very often. But I do think it was appreciated,” said Deacon Kevin McCormack, superintendent of schools for the Diocese of Brooklyn.
“Really, none of us are used to any extended periods of silence, which can be uncomfortable. But that’s when God speaks,” said John O’Brien, associate superintendent for the Diocese of Brooklyn.
“They probably very rarely get a chance to have some silent time like that. It doesn’t come naturally. You know, they have to learn,” said Father Robert Mucci, pastor of St. Mark-St. Margaret Mary Parish.
Some left feeling relaxed, but Victoria Charles, an eighth-grader at Our Lady of Trust Catholic Academy, said being exposed to the Eucharist re-energized her physically and spiritually.
“I definitely think it motivated me a lot more, and it definitely prepared me for the Easter season. It kind of reminded me of my faith and why I’m here,” Charles said.
All junior high school students in the Diocese of Brooklyn will participate in Eucharistic rallies throughout the school year. Five more are being held during Lent.