Local High Schools Care

for the Poor

Fresh fruit creations were prepared by St. Edmund’s community for the hungry.

As they broke bread with their families on Thanksgiving Day, many high schoolers around the diocese did so knowing that less fortunate families were doing the same thanks to their generosity. Here’s a sampling of all that they’ve accomplished.

In the weeks leading up to Thanksgiving, students and faculty at Bishop Ford H.S., Park Slope, collected canned goods, boxes of pasta and other non-perishable items, which they delivered to Sandra Martinez of The Independence Inn, a shelter that provides housing and counseling services to young men and women in need.

Boys at Holy Cross H.S., Flushing, joined with administrators, faculty and friends of the school in collecting over 50 boxes of food, which Catholic Charities distributed to over 50 families for the holiday. Food was also donated to the residents at Queen of Peace Home in Queens Village.

In Sheepshead Bay, St. Edmund Prep’s Interact Club, headed by religion teacher and admissions director, Deacon Ron Rizzuto, joined with faculty and students, to prepare over 250 pounds of stuffing, dozens of fresh fruit desserts and baked goods. For the past three years, Team Edmund has collaborated on this project with the Street Corner Gourmet.

Turkey and trimmings collected at FHA filled 26 baskets for Brooklyn’s neediest residents.

The Interact Club raised money from the school community. The Verrazano Rotary Club, which sponsors the Interact Club, donated ingredients and members helped prepare food with students, faculty and alumni in the school cafeteria on Thanksgiving Eve.

Thanksgiving Day, students and teachers heated stuffing and wrapped pans in donated blankets to keep it warm for the trip to Harlem, where it was shared with 1,500 street guests. Blankets were then distributed to the needy.

Young women in the Lifestream Club at Fontbonne Hall Academy, Bay Ridge, along with advisors Sister Eileen Agolia, C.S.J, and Breeda Connolly, coordinated the school’s annual collection of food baskets. Twenty-six baskets filled with food and turkeys and decorated with heartfelt wishes by students faculty and staff were donated to area families on Thanksgiving Eve.

Families received hearty holiday meals from the food pantry at St. Matthias, Ridgewood, due to the generosity of the school community at Christ the King R.H.S., Middle Village, where a food drive proved to be a huge success as an abundance of donations filled dozens of boxes.

Catholic Schools Week Poster and Essay Contest

Catholic Schools Week, Jan. 27 - Feb. 3 is just around the corner and the theme is: Catholic Schools Light the Way. The Diocesan Vocation Office is asking children, grades one-eight, who attend a diocesan parochial school or religious education program to create a poster or essay showing how a person in their school/parish is helping others know Jesus through his/her vocation by being a light in the world. Posters must be on 8 1/2’’ by 11’’ paper and essays should be 250-300 words. For contest rules and details, contact your principal, parish DRE or log onto www.dioceseofbrooklyn.org/vocations. Entries are due Dec. 15. Winners will be named in January.

Youth Views

We prepare to celebrate Christmas in the coming weeks because Mary was brave enough to say yes to God. How do you say yes to God in your life?

Alexandra Godden St. Agnes Academic H.S. Freshman I say yes to God by trying to do the right thing and make the right choices. I try to remember everything He has done for me and go to church to thank Him.	Chelsea Chan St. Agnes Academic H.S. Freshman I say yes to God by helping those in need. I give food to the poor and spend some of my spare time tutoring others.

Kia Joseph St. Agnes Academic H.S. Freshman I say yes to God by attending church and following His commandments.	Jennifer Blum St. Agnes Academic H.S. Junior I say yes by serving as a catechist at St. Mel’s parish. I teach an autistic boy which is a wonderful experience.

Daniela Spatola St. Agnes Academic H.S. Senior I say yes to God by treating everyone I meet with kindness and respect. I don’t ridicule people because of their looks, age, heritage or religion.	Charlene Seepersaud Christ the King R.H.S. Senior As Mary was brave enough to say yes to God, I say yes to God every day by doing the right thing, loving and helping others and ensuring the welfare of my family and friends.

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