Rev. James D. Conley, D.D., S.T.L. | Diocese of Lincoln website

At St. Joseph School in Beatrice, preschool students are paired with fifth-graders as "Mass buddies" during daily Mass. The program aims to help both younger and older students grow in faith and character.

Fifth-grade teacher Madison Witulski said the system gives older students an opportunity to lead by example. “It gives the fifth-graders a chance to be leaders and role models. They begin to recognize that being a role model means showing kindness, patience, and reverence, which are all skills that carry far beyond the classroom.” She added, “I’m proud of the way the fifth-graders rise to the occasion. They take their role seriously.”

Witulski noted that for preschoolers attending Mass without their parents, sitting with an older student can provide comfort and support. “I imagine it can feel big and unfamiliar at their age, but I hope sitting with an older student helps them feel calm and supported,” she said. “I also think as they watch their Mass buddy participate, they naturally learn by example, so they grow more confident and comfortable each time.”

Parent Cassie Warneke has observed positive changes in her own daughter through this arrangement. “One of the biggest benefits of this program for our preschooler has been having great role models teach her the appropriate Mass behavior during the week at school, which then carries over to attending Mass on the weekends as a family,” she said.

Warneke added that her daughter’s participation in Mass has increased over time due to guidance from her Mass buddies. “Our preschool daughter has really started to participate in Mass as the school year has progressed.” Warneke said. “I credit this to her Mass buddies helping guide her.”

Her four-year-old daughter Myla expressed enjoyment about sitting with her brother Lane: “It makes me happy because I get to sit with my big brother Lane sometimes.”

According to Warneke, being a role model during Mass also influences Lane’s behavior: “It holds him to a higher standard during Mass,” she said. “He understands that he has little eyes watching his behavior, and he knows it is up to him to teach them how to act during Mass.” Lane commented on his experience: “I like helping the kids to do the right thing during Mass and to follow along,” he said.

Owen, another sibling now in third grade, remembered his own time as a younger student with a buddy: “I got to sit with my cousin Josilyn, and she showed me how to act during Mass,” Owen recalled.

Witulski explained that serving as a mentor deepens faith among fifth-graders: “The experience deepens their own faith because when they have to explain, model, and participate, they become more aware, more engaged, and more connected to what’s happening themselves,” she explained.

Dr. Ken Heinz from St. Joseph School in York reported similar results there: “It sets an example for the younger kids, and it gives the older kids a sense of responsibility,” he said.

Heinz observed that younger students often try harder after seeing their buddy's actions.

Sister Mary Alma C.K., principal at St. James School in Crete, agreed about mutual benefits for both age groups through mentorship programs like these: “The older children show them how to kneel, how to fold their hands, how to say the responses,” she said,“and becoming a mentor who is responsible for a little person heightens their own engagement.”

She also highlighted community-building aspects of such initiatives: "Church is about community, and this is a good community-builder," Sister Mary Alma noted.

In addition to spiritual growth inside church services she described ongoing positive interactions between buddies throughout daily school life—such as smiles or waves exchanged in hallways or on playgrounds—and concluded,“The little children look up to the older ones."

Warneke praised St Joseph's approach overall:“I am grateful for the Mass buddy program that all three of our children have had the privilege of being part of," she concluded." I love being able to say the Our Father during mass and have all three of our children say it with us."