Bishop Mark Eckman walks the perimeter of the church at the start of Mass at St. Wendelin Church on Wednesday, Feb. 11. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle

Matthew Brown

Bishop Mark Eckman led a Mass on Wednesday, Feb.11, at St. Wendelin Church, where parishioners and students of St. Wendelin School heard from the faith leader of the Diocese of Pittsburgh.

Eckman led the school Mass. He was assisted by altar servers from the pre-K through eighth grade. He was initially scheduled to visit the school during Catholic Schools Week from Jan. 25 to 31, but had to reschedule.

During his sermon, he urged the students and those in attendance not to judge a book by its cover. He said the small size of the school community helps the students get to know one another more intimately.

“We don’t try to judge people on their appearances, rather try to look into their lives and see their hearts,” Eckman said in his sermon. “St. Wendelin School has never been very big. It has always been a small school … at a small school, you get to know each other very, very well, and you get to build a strong community.”

Bishop Mark Eckman leads Communion during a Mass at St. Wendelin Church on Wednesday, Feb. 11. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle

Matthew Brown

Bishop Mark Eckman delivers a sermon to St. Wendelin Catholic School students and others during a Mass at St. Wendelin Church on Wednesday, Feb. 11. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle

Matthew Brown

St. Wendelin Catholic School student Asher Reges reads a passage during Mass at St. Wendelin Church on Wednesday, Feb. 11. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle

Matthew Brown

St. Wendelin Catholic School student McKenna Weimert reads a passage during Mass at St. Wendelin Church on Wednesday, Feb. 11. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle

Matthew Brown

St. Wendelin Catholic School student Ruby Reed reads a passage during Mass at St. Wendelin Church on Wednesday, Feb. 11. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle

Matthew Brown

St. Wendelin Catholic School students carry the cross and candles at the start of Mass at St. Wendelin Church on Wednesday, Feb. 11. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle

Matthew Brown

Bishop Mark Eckman waits to walk to the front of the church at the start of Mass at St. Wendelin Church on Wednesday, Feb. 11. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle

Matthew Brown

St. Wendelin Catholic School students stand with Bishop Mark Eckman after a Mass at St. Wendelin Church on Wednesday, Feb. 11. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle

Matthew Brown