Catholics Meet to Discuss Issues at State Capitol

About 540 people, including a very large group of students, took part in the annual Catholic Day on the Hill held April 9 in Nashville.

The day included Mass and visits with Tennessee legislators. During the day, the group called attention to the need for changes to the state's long term care procedures, extending the review of the death penalty, and efforts to prevent racial profiling by police.

Young Students from OLPH Make Trip to Nashville

By Dori Green and Joe Albanese

On April 9, 2008 the middle school students at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic School set off on a trip to Nashville.

The students met at the Diocese of Memphis Catholic Center at 4:30 a.m. and departed around 5 a.m. They arrived in Nashville at 8 a.m. for an event called Catholic Day on the Hill.

Catholic Day on the Hill is a day when students, clergy and interested Catholics from across the state come together to share their concerns with the Tennessee's lawmakers.

In Nashville the students ate breakfast, debated in a mock legislature, went to Mass, ate lunch, visited the Capitol building and saw many Tennessee Representatives.

The students then headed back to Memphis after a long but fun day. The bus arrived in Memphis around 6:30 p.m.

When the students got off the bus they couldn't stop talking about how much they loved the opportunity to go the state capital city.

Eighth grader Neel Dixon, who would like to pursue a political career, was inspired by the day. He said, "I most enjoyed learning about our State political system. Getting to talk to Representative Kelsey was really informative."

Dori Green and Joe Albanese are Sixth graders at Our Lady of Perpetual Help School.