Care packages keep parishes in touch with students

College students who belong to St. John the Baptist Church in Valatie can expect something nice from their fellow parishioners throughout their collegiate years.

Each semester, the students receive "We Care Packages" filled with food, supplies and notes expressing good cheer.

The packages are prepared by parishioners who shop for the items and who feel that the volunteer effort helps to remind college students that their fellow parishioners are thinking of them.

The same reminders are also being sent by Corpus Christi parish in Ushers.

In touch

"It's a way of keeping in touch with a segment of our church population that oftentimes we lose," said Ellen O'Reilly, who helps with the preparation of the packages sent from St. John's.

"We Care Packages" were the idea of Rev. Thomas Powers, former pastor of St. John the Baptist and current pastor of St. Teresa of Avila Church in Albany. He thought it would be a good way to let students know that parishioners hadn't forgotten about them while they were away at school.

Twice a year, usually right before Thanksgiving and during the third week of April, parishioners such as Mrs. O'Reilly and Noreen Bayduss visit BJ's Wholesale Club and stock up on snacks, soup, cocoa and other supplies for the packages. Letters from elementary school students, a poem and parish bulletins also are sent. Instead of styrofoam, popcorn is used as packing material, and students also find that it makes a good snack.

Group effort

A committee of volunteers, including parents and high school students, spends one night putting the packages together each semester. Since the packages are shipped by first class, priority mail, college students usually get their packages within a day.

About 65 to 70 college students get packages; men and women serving in the military also can receive them if they choose.

Mrs. O'Reilly's son, Brendan, and Mrs. Bayduss' son, Brett, who attend the State University of New York at Binghamton, are two of those receiving packages. Students occasionally write letters to the parish expressing thanks for being remembered.

Contact

Since the packages are sent right before students take their final exams each semester, Father Powers believes that they give students a lift as they prepare for their tests.

"I think it's a worthwhile expenditure because we keep in touch. I think the idea is marvelous," he said.

He hopes to try sending "We Care Packages" to St. Teresa of Avila parishioners in college; meanwhile, at St. John the Baptist parish, attempts are being made to keep in touch with students through e-mail.

Mrs. O'Reilly pointed out that "We Care Packages" let students know that they are in parishioners' thoughts even while they are away from the parish during the academic year.

"The whole aim is to informally keep in touch with that little part of our faith community," she said.

Interested still

Parishioners of Corpus Christi Church in Ushers hope to send care packages to more than 100 college students from their parish during the upcoming school year, according to Rev. Edward Pratt, pastor.

In previous years, he and other parish staff members have sent letters to college students "just to let them know that they still had a parish at home and that we were still interested in them," he said.

He would include updates on parish ministry and information published by the Christophers. He did the same thing while pastor of St. Mary/St. Paul's Church in Hudson Falls.

"I believe that we have to be pro-active or at least reach out to all sorts of folks we don't see right away or week to week. The Church is still interested in them," Father Pratt said.

Pens on way

Corpus Christi will continue sending letters to its college students throughout the academic year, but volunteers also plan to send care packages filled with snacks, pens and popcorn, probably right before Christmas and final exams.

Not only do parish staff and volunteers lend a hand, students in the religious education program also get involved; for example, students in second grade design Valentines for college students and depict them in campus settings.

Father Pratt hopes that college students, some of whom write notes thanking the parish for the packages, remember that their fellow parishioners were thinking of them and that they will continue practicing their faith.

"I can't help but think in the long term this is going to have a positive influence on them," he said.

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