Will there be enough?
One of my favorite Bible stories as a child was about Jesus feeding the multitudes from the little boy’s five loaves and two fish. (John 6:9) Recently, I was on the Hallow app, which revisited that miracle and asked listeners to put themselves into the story as a disciple. The question was, “Will there be enough?” to feed all those who were following Jesus and listening to him preach. Jesus’ miracle made it so, but only after he told the disciples to feed them. (Luke 9:13)
There is a need today to feed God’s children, not just with physical food, but with the nourishment of grace that feeds the soul. We can be like that child with the loaves and fish who made the sacrifice to give it all. We can look around our neighborhoods, communities, work places and other parts of the world and see the need. People who need a relationship with God. We can feed them. That’s one reason I need to give.
One place to meet that need is through a gift of Catholic education. I donate to the South Jersey Scholarship Fund because it is life-giving. Feeding the souls of the children of God with the seeds of God’s Grace. God multiplies our gift in the Catholic education of our children, who then can go out and spread the Good News to others by the good lives that they lead. Building up the Church is why I need to give.
I was one of six children in a family of one wage-earner for many years. Once the youngest reached high school age, my mother went back to work to bring in additional income. My parents believed in the value of Catholic education, and we all attended Catholic school. It was quite a sacrifice for them. We did without things that others in our neighborhood had. Was there enough to manage it? There always was because of the trust my parents had in God to provide. And I am grateful. Paying it forward is why I need to give.
That education planted the seed that helped me to appreciate the need to give back from what I had been given.
Who knows what these seeds will yield? For me, it was the strength to make it through our family difficulties when illness, addiction and loss of loved ones presented themselves. I learned to pray, and it sustained me. Because of the faith I received growing up, and the reinforcement I received in Catholic school, I was able to work through those trials knowing “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” (Phil 4:13)
We have the ability to impact the Church, families and individuals when we give to the South Jersey Scholarship Fund. It has been helping students in the Diocese of Camden’s Catholic schools to receive much-needed scholarships for tuition assistance since 2001. Thousands of families have been assisted through this fund to keep their children in the schools of their choice. Families need our help. Most families need two salaries to meet their basic needs. As the cost of living rises, families are faced with decisions of affordability. Tuition becomes a luxury. Helping other families to have enough is why I need to give.
I invite you to help there be enough. Make the miracle happen in a child’s life by making sure a child has the means to receive the priceless gift of a lifetime – a gift of Catholic education that keeps on giving.
To contribute to the SJSF’s Spring Sprint for Scholarships, please visit southjerseycatholicschools.org/springsprint or call 856-583-6125.
Mariann Gilbride serves on the Board of Trustees for the South Jersey Scholarship Fund.
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