St. Augustine Students Say Goodbye to Father Bowen

Saying goodbye is never easy, but the students of gave the Rev. Gerry Bowen a heartfelt farewell.

On March 4, students, teachers and parents joined Bowen for Mass and a tribute at in Elkridge.

The mass was emotional for many of the adults who have known Bowen for years and for the priest who has spent half of his ministry at St. Augustine.

he will become pastor for St. John the Evangelist in Columbia as of March 9. Among his many contributions in Elkridge, he started a hot lunch program and got a playground installed at St. Augustine School.

During the farewell Mass, students sang special songs and said special prayers for the pastor.

“It has been my privilege to have been raised in a Catholic school and be the pastor of a Catholic school,” Bowen said in his homily. “Besides reading and arithmetic, it's important to have a foundation of faith, which is what you get from a Catholic school."

After Mass, the students, faculty and parents attended a presentation in the parish hall, where the student council put together a final tribute to the beloved pastor.

It began with applause when Bowen entered the building. Then the kindergartners and preschoolers sang “He's Got the Whole World in His Hands” for the priest.

Each class presented Bowen with a special card and gift.

The eighth graders presented Bowen with flowers, a memory book from the parish and a school memory book. He also received a book of prayers that students created, accompanied by a picture of the church.

“I want to thank the students for a beautiful worship and tribute. I know it meant a great deal to Father Gerry,” said Principal Patricia Schratz.

The tribute ended with “God Is So Good,” a song that Schratz said is a reminder of Bowen to the school.