CRESTLINE—In a program introduced this year at Crestline St. Joseph and Bethlehem Sacred Heart, Catholic school students are invited to spend their “Mornings with Fr. Mike” learning about the faith.

Kindergarteners at Crestline St. Joseph School recently visited the parish rectory for a faith formation lesson with Father Michael Geiger, pastor and superintendent, who also sang and played the guitar for them. (Photo courtesy of Crestline St. Joseph)

Every Thursday morning, Father Michael Geiger, the pastor and superintendent, and parish staff members host a different class from each school in the parish rectory. The students, teachers and parent chaperones gather in the living room for a snack and a lesson from Fr. Geiger on a topic related to the faith.

 “This is a wonderful opportunity to really be a good role model and ‘spiritual father’ to our students,” says Fr. Geiger, who got the idea for the program from the late Father John “Arch” Thomas, with whom he spent a summer as a seminarian intern at Perrysburg St. Rose.

“It’s very important for our students to know that we as teachers, priests and church members care about them and want to invest time into their lives,” Fr. Geiger adds. “It’s an awesome opportunity and ‘teachable moment’ for our kids to understand that our entire parish community cares for their well-being.”