LAWRENCE — Seniors escorted elderly nuns to their seats at the Mass concluding the 50th anniversary of Presentation of Mary Academy.
The gesture is symbolic of the education and faith the sisters have passed on to students at the all-female high school, as the school begins the next half century.
"We had such a great time last year, this is a fitting way to culminate our anniversary with Mass so we can go on to the next 50 years," said Rose Maria Redmond, a 1985 graduate of the school and principal for the past seven years.
That closeness was evident as Ann Ferrara and her granddaughter Stephany Galinsky, along with Susan Viscosi and daughter Katie, read from the Bible.
The Most Rev. Robert Hennessey, regional bishop of the Central Region of the Archdiocese of Boston, celebrated the Mass with the Rev. John Delaney, pastor of St. Michael Parish in North Andover and Augustinian priests Peter Gori, chaplain to the Presentation of Mary sisters and Arthur Johnson, pastor of St. Augustine Parish in Andover.
"Many times people tell you the future is yours," Hennessey told a crowd of students, parents, faculty and the sisters. "But it's not just the future, the present is yours. Put into practice the faith you are taught here."
Faculty members Rita Lucey, Farida Matta and Stephen Stankus read prayers and alumnae and staff members Fran Blais, Jane Danahy-Foss, Elizabeth DeMarco and Jaime-Lyn Pickles brought the gifts to the altar.
"This is a great day, a great party," the school president, Sister Susan Frederick, said.
Founded by the order of nuns of the same name, Presentation of Mary Academy opened with 20 girls on Sept. 4, 1958, and today there are 210 girls and 25 teachers.
No one was happier about the jubilee than the former principal, Sister Claire Vanasse.
"They'll always have a special relationship," Sister Vanasse said. "I'm very happy for the years we've given to the residents of the Merrimack Valley," Sister Vanasse said. "Our students have succeeded in their professional and spiritual life."
Sister Joan Laurent, a nun for 65 years, taught at the academy for 35 years.
"I'm elated because it's such a great school," she said. "There's such a bond between teachers and students."
Sister Laurent called all her students "angels" and said she still corresponds with at least 25 of them annually.
"PMA has been here for 50 years because of the many people who are involved here," said Sister Frederick. "It goes beyond classroom learning. It's the faith dimension and intellectual challenge that has brought them here."
Junior Erica Polanco of Lawrence agreed.
"You can do anything you want if you put your mind to it," Polanco said.
Mary Viscosi's daughter Valerie graduated from the school and granddaughter Katie will graduate in 2010.
"I truly love this school because of the size, the friendly, caring attention from the teachers," Mary Viscosi said.
Katie had her own reasons.
"The focus on all women is a strength," she said. "It's a place where you feel it's OK to be yourself."
During the past year, Presentation of Mary hosted several events to commemorate its anniversary. They included a Christmas concert and tree-lighting ceremony, high tea and gala dinner.
