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Each week, Hawaii's teenage reporters and photographers tell us about their school. This week's school is St. Andrew's Priory.

PHOTO ILLUSTRATION BY ALISA FUROYAMA / ST. ANDREW'S PRIORY Hourlong chapel services at St. Andrew's Priory are considered a vital part of the school's life, often consisting of hymns, prayers, Bible readings and a homily.

Chapel helps students face
daily travails

Spiritual reaffirmation gets a modern twist
with music and skits

Mixin' it up

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By Alisa Furoyama
St. Andrew's Priory

Every Tuesday morning at St. Andrew's Priory, students walk in a procession to the Cathedral. With all the girls dressed alike in standard uniforms, each takes a seat in her assigned pew.

The organ music sounds angelic in the background as the students file in and prepare themselves for the hour of something of which public schools are not allowed the privilege.

The new and improved chapel services are composed of singing hymns, reading from the Bible, the homily and Prayers of the People. Each lesson is given by Mother Susan Champion, head chaplain. She tries to teach morals from the Bible and relate them to the things that are currently going on in life.

"St. Andrew's is a religious school, and chapel is the spiritual center," Champion said. "This is the only time in which students can gather together to pray.

"Priory girls have a huge advantage. When you have really hard things going on, like this past memorial of Sept. 11th, it makes a huge impact and difference to gather and pray together."

However, chapel did not just consist of prayer this year.

"I've been trying to get away from the traditional Gregorian chants because they seem to not involve the students," Champion said. "I encourage girls to participate in the service by sharing musical offerings and performing skits."

For the short time that she has been leading chapel services, many changes have taken place.

One major change that occurred over most of November was the reintroduction of the Lord's Prayer. Champion took this mundane chant and transformed it with the sounds of her guitar chords. She spent a few weeks teaching the entire school the notes until everyone was singing along with her.

"Chapel is much more contemporary because of Mother Susan," Priory staff member Ruth Hoover said.

Another addition to the chapel agenda was the Prayers of the People. Students of all ages can make prayer requests that are read and prayed for in this special section.

Not only does it create a feeling of community and aloha, but it really personalizes each chapel service for the Priory girls.

Tuesdays will always hold a special place within each student at St. Andrew's Priory. For some it's the only time when they can focus and touch base with God.

Champion recalled: "I remember what brought me back to the cross. It was at a retreat when a priest spoke about the fact that God is always waiting for you to come back to Him."

Chapel creates a community and brings people of all walks together, allowing them to set differences aside. Not only does chapel bring the entire school together, but it emphasizes the importance of having a spiritual base.

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