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Students learn value of giving to others

Catholic Globe report

Delivering Christmas gifts to the Boys and Girls Home as well as to families through the Community Action Agency was just one way that middle and elementary students from Bishop Heelan Catholic Schools helped to spread the joy of Christmas.

Julie Tebbe, coordinator of faith formation, said the students “are definitely capturing the spirit of the season and putting their faith into action.”

Some of these projects are organized by the schools Lif Team’s. The Lif Team is made up of students in sixth through eighth grades. Each middle school has their own Lif Team and members had to go through an application process to be chosen for the team.

She pointed out that five or six years ago, one of the Lif Team members at the time introduced students to the Boys and Girls Home.

“The students knew what a valuable experience it would be to help out in any way possible,” Tebbe said. “They’ve purchased gifts for the Boys and Girls Home at Christmas time, they’ve assembled Easter baskets and they’ve collected supplies such as towels and toiletries.”

The relationship developed even further when members of the Boys and Girls Home team visited the student’s class and thanked them for their efforts.

“It was especially meaningful when the students had a chance to meet some of the residents and hear their stories,” she said.

This year the Lif team suggested they give gifts to the Boys and Girls Home again.
“It’s a project designed to not only help those in need, but to also encourage community building,” Tebbe said. “The Lif Team students at each middle school are invited to take part in a night of shopping. They contribute

their own money and work in teams to purchase gifts. After the shopping is completed, we go out to dinner together, then back to school to wrap the gifts. Students gain a sense of ownership and pride in doing something like this.”

As a result of the schools’ project, one of the students, Jessica Rojas, decided to expand upon the project on her own. This eighth grader from Holy Cross School’s Blessed Sacrament Center, sought donations from others to buy more gifts.

She raised $70 and used some of her own cash for a total of $100. She went out and purchased two bags of gifts for the Boys and Girls Home.

“Every year when the Lif Team helps the Boys and Girls Home, I’ve wanted to help, too, but never had the chance. So it’s been my goal since sixth grade. Ms. Tebbe would tell us stories about the kids at the Boys and Girls Home and that made me want to help them even more,” Rojas said.

The student said it is important to give to others who might not have anything. She hopes others would volunteer to give at Christmas to make other people’s days brighter.

Tebbe said she was very proud of Rojas' willingness to reach out.

“As coordinator of the Faith Formation program at the BHCS Middle Schools, it's my ultimate goal that students discover ways to put their faith into action by seeing the need and acting on it,” she said. “In keeping with the BHCS mission statement of educating the student and leading them toward a lifetime of service, it is my hope that students like Jessica will take it upon themselves to be the hands and feet of Jesus to those in need.” 

Tebbe said Christmas is a time for giving. She acknowledged that it is easy to get caught up in what “we want.” Service projects like this help students see what lies beyond their own needs. It allowed them to see that for some families, their wishes included needs and wants.

“For instance, one of the wish lists stated the child wanted a coat and hat and also a toy,” she said. “They worked so hard at making the best choice on how to provide for both based on a limited budget. Projects like this allow the students to gain a deeper awareness of those in need and an appreciation for what they have. Hopefully these students will go beyond their gift-giving and keep the family in their prayers as well.”

The schools selected Advent themes for the season. The students at Mater Dei selected "We Are Waiting for Love" as their Advent theme. Each week, there was a different theme that reflected some of the feelings/emotions/circumstances that surrounded Mary’s life during the many weeks and months of waiting.

The themes spelled the word “MARY.” Inspired by Mary and her Son, Jesus, the Mater Dei family supported the efforts of the Council on Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence, an organization that helps mothers and children who need a safe place to call “home.” The P-5 students have been collecting toys for the shelter, and the 6-8 students have been hosting bake sales to raise money for the shelter.

Mater Dei students also took part in an all-school celebration of the Las Posadas complete with a procession from classroom to classroom; a prayer service; games, treats and a piñata!

A few other Advent activities in the BHCS Middle and Elementary Schools have included a jeans day for Mission Honduras, purchasing gifts from the parish giving trees and penance services.

Holy Cross School chose “Walk the Advent Journey” as their Advent theme. Throughout the season, students “packed their suitcases” with random acts of kindness they have heard or seen (like someone helping another person with their homework, holding the door for someone, paying someone a compliment, etc.) Father Schrad encouraged the students to continue their acts of kindness and care even after the Advent and Christmas season.