Service is an important part of the annual calendar at Our Lady Star of theSea School. We are committed to making the Catholic Social Teachings as much a part of our students’ lives as possible.
Some projects that take place each year are: Thanksgiving baskets for clients of the St. Vincent de Paul Society, the collection of over-the-counter medicines and hygiene items for the Corazon Mission in California, the collection of peanut butter and jelly during Catholic Schools Week, Operation Rice Bowlduring Lent, and the spring collection of books in Spanish for the Corazon Mission.
Other projects vary according to year. For instance, we have collected DVDs and CDs for Navy personnel aboard the USS John C. Stennis and Army personnel in Iraq and Afghanistan. We have donated new socks to the Downtown Emergency Center in Seattle and Benedict House in Bremerton. We have collected baby shoes and baby food. One year, we decorated a Christmas tree with children’s socks, mittens, hats, and gloves and later donated the items to the Hispanic Ministry.
Older classes are Mass and/or reading buddies to younger students. Students help in the cafeteria. Junior high students are “office angels.” They staff the office so the secretary can take a lunch break. In December, junior high students and their parents serve a meal at Benedict House. Older students assist at the anointing Masses and sometimes cantor at funerals. Upper grade students periodically walk to the St. Vincent de Paul Store to assist in sorting or repairing items for sale. In these ways (and others!), we ensure that our students actively serve their school, parish, and local community.
