St Rose of Lima School students, faculty, and volunteers all worked together on Friday, September 30, to host a "Big Top" celebration for Monsignor Robert Weiss's 70th birthday.

After the pastor oversaw morning Mass, he was welcomed and escorted into the school's Monsignor Weiss Gathering Hall. St Rose of Lima School Director of Mission Advancement Paula Spellman said the school celebrates Msgr Weiss's birthday each year, but this year, "it's his big birthday." Msgr Weiss, Ms Spellman said, "does so much for the school."

Each grade of students portrayed either an animal species or clowns for the event. Volunteers had decorated the Gathering Hall with large white and red streamers, all used to provide an illusion of a circus tent. Cutout silhouettes of acrobats also dangled from the ceiling. Under the center of the "tent" student performers completed their own stunts, from cartwheels to routines.

Eighth grade students offered concessions of cotton candy and popcorn, and some fit themselves into snug plastic cars to "drive" clown cars around the space.

"Welcome to the Big Top SRS," St Rose of Lima School Principal Colleen Therese Smith said at the start of the celebration, after Msgr Weiss entered and found his seat in the "stands."

Different grade levels took turns entering the hall wearing handmade costumes or disguises, and Sister Colleen introduced each group before Msgr Weiss, like the prekindergarten monkeys and the third grade giraffes.

After each grade paraded into the space, student representatives offered presents and praise for Msgr Weiss. Second graders delivered a list of words they thought represent Msgr Weiss, such as funny, nice, smart, handsome, and helpful.

"Thank you for all you do for us at St Rose School," two second grade students read together.

Sister Colleen also introduced a group of dancers who sang a song, written to the tune of Disney's I Wanna Be Like You, from The Jungle Book.

"Now we want to show you how much we love you," Sister Colleen said, introducing the group.

Then the students began to dance and sing, "Now you're the king of the parish, the St Rose VIP. You've reached the top and never stop, and that's what inspires me. I wanna be a good Christian, and stroll right into Mass. And be just like the priests I see, I'm tired of monkeyin' around! Oh, oobee doo. I wanna be like you-u-u. I wanna walk like you, talk like you, too-o-o. You'll see it's true, a kid like me, can learn to be holy too-o-o."