November is the month when Catholics remember those who have passed away, and this November, Metro Catholic student artists collaborated with Cleveland’s Public Theatre to honor that tradition—and women religious beloved in the Metro Catholic community.

The students created a vibrant ofrenda, a traditional Mexican memorial for the dead, as a poignant tribute to the beloved Sisters of Notre Dame in Cleveland who passed away within the last year. Their ofrenda was displayed at the theater as part of its observances of Dias de los Muertos, or All Souls Day.

Items crafted by the talented young artists of Metro Catholic included in this tribute include the student’s interpretations of papel picado, sugar skulls, Mexican tin art, flowers and beautiful butterflies. Each item celebrates the Sisters’ faith, their service to the community, and the indelible mark they left on the lives of their students and their community. Lit by candles, their ethereal creation highlighted Catholic understandings of  incarnation—that the spiritual realm manifests itself in our physical world—and of the immortality of the soul.

Metro Catholic School itself is a testament to the unwavering commitment and visionary spirit of these women, whose vision brought the school into existence in 1988. Their legacy is deeply woven into the very fabric of the school, which remains steadfastly rooted in the zeal and dedication that has defined the Sisters of Notre Dame since their earliest days in our city.

Metro Catholic Art Teacher Mary Green spearheaded the effort, one whose value Interim Principal Carolyn Cutler appreciates on multiple levels. “It is important to have a quality art program where children get opportunities to celebrate their work in the greater community. It builds their confidence and motivates them. Our art program is giving our children a chance to be well-rounded learners and to connect to their community.”

Sisters of Notre Dame honored in Metro Catholic Students’ Ofrenda: front row, l to r: Sr. Mary Geralyn Stenger, Sr. Mary Kathleen McCafferty, Sr. Ann Philomena Grady, Sr. Mary Jessica Karlinger,  Sr. Grace Mary Corbett, SND (One of the 3 founding mothers of MCS),Sr. Mary Therese Brown; top row: Sr. Mary Ann Tusai, Sr. Mary Laura Wingert, Sr. Mary Ann Burke, Sr. Mary Julie Rose Keck.