On April 29, students at St. Mary of the Lakes School in Medford spent the day participating in a Diocesan-wide Day of Service.
Children made placemats, centerpieces and delivered lunches to Cathedral Kitchen in Camden; collected canned food items for both Cathedral Kitchen and St. Vincent’s; wrote letters to servicemen and servicewomen; decorated cards for the “Cards4Kids”; made a banner and cards for a local Children’s Hospital; picked up trash and recycling at Freedom Park; cleaned up the grounds and trails of Medford Leas and the Community Center park at Rancocas Trail; brought bagged lunches, planted flowers, and sang songs to the seniors at Medford Senior Residence Apartments; collected toiletries and made baskets for seniors; and participated in a “Spring Cleanup” at Camp Ockanickon.
The school community is proud of its students and their dedication to service. This Day of Service was purposely scheduled near the day the Catholic Church observes the Memorial of St. Joseph the Worker. The project is a way for Catholic school students and other representatives to give back to their communities and to put into action the Episcopal motto of their bishop, Most. Rev. David M. O’Connell, C.M.: “To serve and not to be served.”
O’Connell affirmed the efforts of all who will play a role in the Day of Service, and underscored that acts of service make up an integral part of the daily experience in Catholic school.
“Having a day like this in which all of our schools participate is so important because it demonstrates what a significant difference we can make together,” O’Connell said.
He also affirmed the efforts of all who will play a role in the Day of Service, and underscored that acts of service make up an integral part of the daily experience in Catholic school.
“Having a day like this in which all of our schools participate is so important,” O’Connell said, “because it demonstrates what a significant difference we can make together.”
