A time capsule created at Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic School (OLS School) in Homewood during the celebration of the passing of the second and the beginning of the third millennium in the landmark year of 2000 A.D., was opened this year at a special Catholic Schools Week assembly. The time capsule was designed to recognize and honor the 2,000th anniversary of Jesus Christ’s human presence in the world and the fulfillment of God the Father’s promise to send a Savior for all mankind. The event, attended by the school's students, teachers, administrators, and alumni, was one of the many educational, service-oriented, and exciting events held at the school. 

Many who are old enough will recall the jubilation surrounding the arrival of the landmark year 2000, which included a year-long preparation by the Catholic Church known as the Great Jubilee Year of 2000. This planning featured thousands of prayer and study groups organized worldwide as Pope John Paul II encouraged all to live holy lives through “works of charity and brotherly communion within the Church and society” and to be “more sincere and coherent in their faith in Jesus Christ, the only Savior.” The world then witnessed the Holy Father’s extraordinary urbi et orbi ("to the city of Rome and to the world") address and blessing from St. Peter’s Square, where the crowded square was electric with excitement.

Now OLS School Principal Mary Jane Dorn, who was an eighth-grade teacher at the time, recalled, “The staff at our school saw a great opportunity to benefit the students by memorializing this important time in history. We organized a time capsule to be opened a quarter of a century later.” Students, along with their parents and school employees, were invited to contribute items, photos, and other printed materials that held personal significance.

"I believe our current students, who weren’t born yet, also benefit from recognizing that time in civilization is measured by the birth of Jesus Christ,” she said. “Some of our current students even have parents who were here when the time capsule was sealed.”

During the Catholic Schools Week assembly, when the time capsule was revealed, the school sought to emphasize the importance of preserving history for the future. The millennium capsule contained a variety of items, including Jubilee 2000 Commemorative Christ Yesterday Today Forever Lapel Pins, family and friend photos, notes from former students, a newspaper, collector’s items, and other memorabilia representing significant moments of that time.

“We want our students to recognize that the time given to us belongs to God,” said Dorn. “To continue highlighting the value of preserving history, as shown by the monks who preserved civilization through the centuries, we plan to keep these items in the time capsule. Next year, as part of our school’s [130th anniversary], we plan to ask our school families to contribute their own items to be sealed for the future, possibly to be opened in 2046, marking the 150th anniversary of Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic School.”

OLS School, established in 1896, fosters the religious, academic, and social development of every child, recognizing that knowledge enlightened by faith and realized through service is at the heart of Catholic education. Accredited by Cognia, the school provides a curriculum that combines Catholic faith and teachings with academic excellence. OLS School offers a partnership with its parents in the religious formation of their children through a family-friendly environment to prepare students to be productive citizens and future leaders.  To learn more about Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic School, visit olsschool.com.