Catholic students serve others

The corporal works of mercy are alive and well in the Catholic schools of the Albany diocese.

From Albany's Bishop Maginn High School students collecting Christmas cards for those incarcerated in local jails, to Rensselaer's St. Joseph/St. John's Academy students visiting Hospice patients, service is an integral part of Catholic school life.

Taking responsibility

Students of all ages enrolled in Catholic schools participate in service on a regular basis. "We believe it gives them opportunity," said Sister Mary Ellen Owens, RSM, principal of Holy Cross School in Albany. "They see others who have less than they have. It helps them take responsibility to help others."

At Holy Cross, like many Catholic schools, service is as routine as math or English class. "It's part of our mission," Sister Mary Ellen said.

Holy Cross students visit Teresian House, a nursing home in Albany; participate in parish service activities like the Christmas giving tree; write to parish shut-ins; work with Habitat for Humanity; and send cards to children in the refugee camps of Croatia.

This year, the school also adopted a family of five for the year. Each class takes turns collecting food, birthday gifts, and holiday items for the family. This experience has helped the students realize how fortunate they are and see the suffering of others, the principal said.

Wrapping it up

The first gift basket the school sent was particularly moving: "The little girl in the family was so excited because this was the first time she got a birthday gift with wrapping paper. The little boy was happy to have cereal," Sister Mary Ellen said. "It's overwhelming."

While public schools across the country have begun looking at mandating community service as a prerequisite for graduation, this is not necessary at Holy Cross.

"We don't have to mandate it," Sister Mary Ellen explained. "Our families are in tune with this. There is good modeling at home."

Their own club

Catholic Central High School in Troy has also found that students are motivated on their own to perform service. Besides service projects conducted in class, students formed a service club nine years ago that is still going strong, according to moderator Sister Frances MacFarland, CSJ.

Membership in the club ranges between 80 and 90 students a year, and the projects are student-driven, she said.

The service opportunities provide the students with an education that reaches far beyond the classroom. "It gives them an awareness of needs, particularly of the homeless," she said. "They're learning that in the world everything is not equality. This will help them when they are able to vote and they look at welfare and food stamps."

Sowing faith

While service can help students become active citizens, it can also play a role in their faith development. "It prepares them for being adult Catholics," Sister Frances told The Evangelist. "It helps develop their faith and an awareness and dedication to people in need."

The seeds of service planted in Catholic school students continue to grow even after graduation. Both Sister Mary Ellen and Sister Frances report that their graduates continue performing community service after graduation. In fact, former members of Catholic Central's Service Club have gone on to form similar clubs at their colleges.

High hopes

Sarah Spain, a junior at Catholic Central High School and parishioner at Christ Sun of Justice parish in Troy, said the service opportunities provided at school have helped shape her aspirations. She is interested in studying for a career in public service.

"I had no idea of what I was getting into," said Sarah. "I thought it would be a side thing."

Now that she's involved, Service Club has become an important part of her life. "I'm always looking for a way to get involved," she said.

She especially enjoys the time she spends at Joseph House in Troy, which provides services for the homeless. Sarah serves dinner to the guests and then socializes with them. "I love it," she said. "I thought they wouldn't like us, that they'd resent us. I didn't know what to expect. I never spoke to anyone who was homeless. They have interesting stories."

While Sarah is helping others in need, she has gained from these experiences as well. "I'm more open minded. I appreciate things more. I feel better, appreciate more and have hope."

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