Remsen students spread light, Christmas joy

Jan. 11, 2007

REMSEN - The Christmas spirit was definitely in the air at Remsen St. Mary's High School on Dec. 21, the last day of school before the Christmas vacation. The day started with a Candle Lighting Service involving K-12 students.

The service was held in the darkened gymnasium with the focal points being the Virgin Mary tapestry on stage surrounded by numerous candles, and the images in the center isle including a manger in the front, the Advent wreath in there center and the cross toward the back.

The theme was "From the Crib to the Cross," which symbolized the newborn Jesus as the Light of the World. After Scripture reading, petitions and a reflection on the birth of Christ from the vantage point of a lowly lamb in the stable that night. Toward the end of the service, the second graders gathered at the Advent wreath and carried votive candles to the foot of the cross, the image becoming bright as each candle was placed. They then used tapered candles to carry the flame from the Christmas candle in the middle of the Advent wreath to others.

By noon the high school students had several vehicles loaded with furniture, canned goods and produce, homemade goodies brought to the school by parishioners and students, and lots of gifts that would make Christmas brighter for three struggling families.

Over one third of RSM High School students chose to participate in the annual Christmas service trip to Sioux City. The 35 students and five adult volunteers would prepare and serve Christmas Dinner at the Siouxland Soup Kitchen and deliver gifts and groceries to needy families.

The numerous boxes of canned and nonperishable goods that had been collected throughout the fall months were divided between the sisters at the Carmelite Monastery and the Siouxland Soup Kitchen. The entire high school was involved in fundraising, through out-of-uniform-day Fridays during Advent and donations from class funds to raise money for the purchase of additional groceries and gifts. This Advent's goal was $2,000.

The CLT Service Team purchased and wrapped gifts for three Hispanic families. Two of the families were referred to RSM by alumnus, Sister Shirley Waldschmitt OSF, who is an outreach worker to the Hispanic community. The third family came through a referral from Hospice of Siouxland - a 10 year old boy who has no siblings and whose mother had died. The boy is living with an aunt who is hoping to adopt him.

Adults in the party delivered canned goods to the Carmelites while students, decked in their Santa hats, delivered to the soup kitchen, decorated tables using decorations crafted by the St. Catherine-St.Mary's students, helped get the meal started, and prepared food baskets for each guest to take home. The anxious students then set out to deliver a portion of the Christmas cache to the homes of two needy families.

The students' deliveries included furniture and assembling of bunk beds and removing worn-out furniture from the homes of the grateful families. The students then hurried back to the soup kitchen to serve the Christmas meal for 200-plus persons. They also helped Santa hand out gifts, and cleaned up and mopped the floors after the party ended.

An unexpected event awaited the group as they delivered to the last of the three families. Neither the mother, nor father in this household was fluent in English. Natahli Lopez, RSM exchange student from Mexico, was instrumental in bridging the language barrier by serving as interpreter. The students' attempt to bring Christmas to this family was turned around as it was the RSM group who felt gifted. As the students hauled in groceries and gifts of clothing and toys, the family proceeded to serve the entire RSM family with a meal of tortilla, venison, and vegetables and rice from their humble resources.

"I was not surprised that this family prepared a meal for us," commented Nathali Lopez. "It is the belief in our country that if you give of your need, God will provide for you. The service trip was fun and I really enjoyed it. The fact that we helped people from a state in Mexico so close to my home state made me realize how much I miss my country."

It was the wish of the CLT service team that all involved with this year's Advent/Christmas giving enjoyed the experience of stewardship as much as they did.