Catholic School students spread Thanksgiving joy (Photos)
As Thanksgiving approaches, students from various Catholic schools within the Archdiocese of Newark are embodying the spirit of gratitude and giving back to their communities through a range of charitable initiatives.
Holy Trinity School in Westfield:
The Student Council at Holy Trinity School in Westfield organized a Thanksgiving Food Drive. Council members visited classrooms to educate their younger peers about the significance of the drive, encouraging early participation. Daily runs after morning prayers to collect contributions in each classroom with the final day to donate on Nov. 21. The collected goods will be delivered to the students of Ft. Hamilton High School in Brooklyn, N.Y.
Additionally, Holy Trinity’s 5th-grade Girl Scout Juniors Troop 40839 continued their heartwarming tradition of shopping for Thanksgiving meals. The Troop collaborated to find the best deals, allowing them to purchase enough food for four meals, complete with turkeys and apple pies. The contributions will be distributed by St. Helen Roman Catholic Church, ensuring that families in need can enjoy a Thanksgiving meal.
Mount St Dominic Academy in Caldwell:
Mount St Dominic Academy held its traditional Thanksgiving Drive. To encourage student participation, some students decorated collection boxes placed in homeroom classrooms. The collected non-perishable items will be donated to Our Lady Help of Christians School in East Orange, assisting families in creating meaningful Thanksgiving Day memories.
The food drive concluded with student council members coordinating the creation of Thanksgiving dinner bags. Faculty and staff contributed funds toward turkeys, and the donations will be shared with the community of Our Lady Help of Christians. Sister Lena Picillo, OP, expressed gratitude, stating, “God Bless the Student Council and all MSDA students, faculty, and staff.”
Visitation Academy in Paramus:
Visitation Academy’s Thanksgiving Food Drive, an 8th-grade service project, exceeded expectations. Dozens of bags of donations were collected during the drive, which will benefit families served by the Table of Plenty in Paramus.
In addition to the Thanksgiving Food Drive, 7th-grade students took the initiative to coordinate and collect items for the Box of Joy Program. A Box of Joy is a Christmas shoebox filled with toys, clothing, school supplies, and other treasured items. Each Box of Joy also includes a rosary and a booklet in the recipient’s own language, narrating the story of Jesus. Each box not only brings joy to the recipient but also serves as a tangible representation of Christ’s love. The students, through their coordination of this program, actively contribute to spreading hope to needy children.
Saint Joseph School in Oradell:
Members of the National Junior Beta Club at Saint Joseph School in Oradell collected food items and prepared over 200 bags to distribute to those in need. Their initiative reflects the school’s commitment to both faith and education, as encapsulated by the words of St. Francis of Assisi, “For it is in giving that we receive.”
Saint Joseph Regional High School in Montvale:
Students at Saint Joseph Regional High School in Montvale undertook a sandwich-making operation last weekend. Their collaborative efforts resulted in the creation of over 300 peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, a significant contribution to the local food pantry.
