St Rose of Lima School students celebrated Monsignor Robert Weiss’s birthday on September 24 with a special mass, school event, and tree planting. He turned 75 this year, and the school planted the tree on the school’s grounds.

According to an announcement from the school, following a mass, students and members of the school community celebrated the monsignor in the school’s gathering hall with an Oktoberfest-themed reception, which included inflatable Bavarian pretzels as decorations. Each class sat in its own spot and collectively the students sang a song, “Monsignor Weiss” to the tune of “Edelweiss.” The lyrics were composed by fifth grade teacher Wendy Mitchell.

St Rose School Principal Bardhyl Gjoka presented the honoree with the tree — a evergreen from Japan called Cryptomeria giokum — explaining that, like the monsignor, it is evergreen, symbolizing the lasting lessons he teaches and in its growth a reminder of how his love and support has helped generations of St Rose students bloom in mind, heart, and soul.

The tree was planted on the hill across from the gathering hall and is expected to reach 14 to 16 feet in height. A plaque with the monsignor’s photo and a message that is titled “75 years of Life, Light, & Love” is placed in front of the tree facing the school.

After the dedication and short ceremony Weiss visited every classroom to give his thanks to the students and faculty, as well as deliver individually wrapped bags of pretzels.