Schools, parishes unite to serve their communities

With compassion and gratitude, schools and parishes worked together on a variety of service projects in the days and weeks leading up to Thanksgiving.

After a successful Blessing Bag campaign last Easter in which nearly 2,000 bags filled with sample-sized toiletries and snacks were delivered to those in need, Dr. Janice DeCicco Fipp received a Thanksgiving request.

“One of our second-graders wrote me a note and asked if we could create the bags again,” said Fipp, principal of Saint Joseph Regional School, Somers Point.

As Madeline Zink, author of that note, explained, “This is a tough time for [those in need] because it is getting cold. It makes me feel proud that I can help people.”

For the Eastertime project, school families filled gallon-sized plastic bags with items such as shampoo, toothpaste and crackers, along with a cheerful greeting, which were distributed by the Franciscan Sisters of the Renewal to area homeless and poor.

“I showed the kids, explained the project and set a goal of 200 bags,” Dr. Fipp recalled, chuckling. “They went crazy and made 1,972 bags. We had so many, the sisters couldn’t take them all.”

The project benefitted additional area organizations in Camden, Atlantic City and Philadelphia. Recalling her visit to the Atlantic City Rescue Mission with 873 Blessing Bags, Fipp said, “The worker there cried, he was so grateful.”

The students were more than happy to see the project return for Thanksgiving.

“I put good things in the bags for people who are homeless. I feel happy that I helped,” kindergartener Kolton Fernstler said.

Fifth-graders Colton Pack and Talina Nguyen agreed.

“Even when we have all of what we need,” said Pack, “we have to remember there are kids who don’t have anything.

Added Nguyen, “It is the right thing to do.”

Doing Unto Others

The fact that Saint Vincent de Paul Regional School has not one, but two, Thanksgiving service projects should come as no surprise: It’s right there in their school motto: “Faith-filled, family centered, future leaders serving others.”

Principal Linda Pirolli detailed how the school’s dual annual food drives team with local parishes.

“We collect food for the pantries of two parishes: Saint Vincent de Paul [Mays Landing] and Saint Katharine Drexel [Egg Harbor Township],” she said. “Each class is assigned to bring in different foods, and the eighth-graders contribute toiletries and box everything up.

“Also, for the past 20-plus years,” Pirolli continued, “we have help with the parishes’ free turkey-with-all-the-trimmings dinners for seniors and shut-ins in the area. They are delivered by the parish on the Sunday before Thanksgiving. Our seventh-graders hold a bake/snack sale to raise money, and parents give us certificates for turkeys; in the past, they distributed about 125 meals.”

Students were eager to share what they had learned from the charitable projects.

Eighth-grader Edward Silipena said, “The project is important because people have fallen on hard times and are feeling down. They don’t have enough money or food to feed their families.”

Michael Zippel, a second-grade student, explained, “We need to help in every way we can, especially this time of year.”

Principal Pirolli summarized, “Saint Vincent de Paul, our patron saint, was known for his charitable works. Our children can learn to serve others. As Saint Vincent said, ‘Charity is the cement which binds communities to God and persons to one another.’”

Faith-Filled Teamwork

The children of Guardian Angels Regional School, Gibbstown/Paulsboro, are making an impact at nearby Saint Claire of Assisi Parish by replenishing their Saint Vincent de Paul food pantry during the school’s annual Thanksgiving drive, noted Marcie Voight, Guardian Angels’ advancement director.

“We have been doing this for many years,” said Voight, noting the school is celebrating its 20th year. “The students and parents have been super generous, and they help with anything we need.”

Parishioners of Saint Claire joined the students in loading cars with donations, around 400 of which were to be delivered Nov. 22. Donations will be used both to fill the food pantry’s shelves and as ingredients in a Thanksgiving-in-a-basket complete meal for the area’s needy.

Students at both campuses of Guardian Angels School reflected upon the value of the drive. Joey Antonelli “wanted to donate food to help the less fortunate,” while Eva Glackin knew she would “help people have a nice Thanksgiving.”

Upperclassmen Angelina Harbaugh and Joey Sebastian posed by a table overflowing with Thanksgiving staples. Sebastian said, “We like to help our school by donating so people aren’t hungry,” and Harbough echoed, “It is important to help one another. … Everybody matters.”

All Praise and Thanksgiving

“Prayer is an essential part of who we are as a faithful Catholic community,” said Resurrection Regional Catholic School principal, Molly Webb. “Through prayer, we grow closer to God and closer to one another.”

Each year, parents, staff and volunteers from the Cherry Hill school team with staff and parishioners of the town’s Christ Our Light Parish to sponsor the annual Thanksgiving prayer service and luncheon, explained school advancement director Barbara Hertline. This year, the events took place Nov. 19, though due to pandemic restrictions, parishioners did not join in the dining experience this year.

“It is a time for all members of our school and parish communities to come together to pray and be thankful for all God’s gifts,” she said, noting that they provide the food donations for the luncheon, distribute any surplus to local food pantries and homeless shelters and create Thanksgiving feast baskets for families in need.

Under the guidance of principal Webb, the schoolchildren take an active role in preparing the luncheon and planning the prayer service: they select the readings and music, present the gifts of bread and wine, and set up the luncheon for their guests.

“This is a tradition that I look forward to every year, and now that it is my last year, I look forward to it even more,” eighth-grade student Sarah Bianco said. “My classmates and I get to pray, spend time together and be thankful for one another.”

Seventh-grader Yesha Sethu added, “I got to learn more about Thanksgiving in a religious and peaceful way with my friends and family.”

“Our Thanksgiving prayer service is an essential part of Thanksgiving because we remember to pray in thanks for all the gifts God has bestowed on us,” summarized Webb. “As a school community, we pray for one another. … In this way, we remember and honor that God is at the heart of it all.”