Bishop fields students' questions during Gibbons visit

RALEIGH - Bishop Luis Rafael Zarama visited Cardinal Gibbons High School Sept. 17.

Father Dan Oschwald, chaplain, Jeff Bell, head of school, and six students greeted the bishop outside the school building.

Bell began the day by showing Bishop Luis the school’s daily safety protocols, such as temperature checks, for students who enter the building. Cardinal Gibbons is currently operating with hybrid learning – a mix of virtual and in-person instruction. 

Bishop visited theology, advisory and Spanish classes. Students asked him questions about the struggles that can accompany faith life, his vocation and his early life in the town of Pasto in Colombia.

Father Dan showed the bishop the school’s 100-seat chapel, which was recently refreshed with new carpet and blue paint.  

“It was a great visit … Bishop managed to make it joyful,” said Father Dan, noting that all visits are new, different experiences during the pandemic. “He was passionate about his concern for young people and their place and voice in the Church.”

One highlight of the visit was Bishop Luis trying out one of the school’s iconic “green machines.” The tricycle, which is likened to a big wheel in some ways, is sometimes used by students at lunch or during special occasions such as Homecoming.

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