Mercy Celebrates Father Shappelle’s 90th Birthday.

Students celebrated our beloved Father Shappelle at their October Mass. The Mass, prepared by Steve’s class and celebrated by Father Verbyke, was held in honor of Father Shappelle’s 90th birthday. As a gift, the children created a book called, The Many Hands of Mercy which included handprints and signatures of all the students in the school. In addition, each class enjoyed cookies in honor of the special day.

Father Shappelle was Mercy Montessori’s active priest since 1972, a job he added to his regular duties as Pastor at St. Bernard in Winton Place. At his retirement in 2012, he had presided over 537 Mercy Montessori students’ First Communion. He has been a special part of the Mercy Montessori community for over 42 years – nearly as long as the school has been in existence. The school is honored to celebrate him and thankful for his continued presence in our community.