Compelled by Mercy: Mount Unites for Service Day

As service to others is one of the cornerstones of the Mount Saint Mary Academy experience, the campus was bustling on the morning of Wednesday, March 16, as students, faculty, and staff members rolled up their sleeves to aid various organizations serving people in need.

 

Starting out the day after a prayer service in the Immaculate Conception Chapel were presentations to students from Diana Levy of the Community Food Bank of New Jersey in Hillside/Egg Harbor Township, Lucy DelGaudio of Pink Berets and Operation Sisterhood who spoke about veterans, and Elaine Liggeri from Crossroads School in Westfield.

 

Seniors gathered in the Mother Mary Patrick Gymnasium where they formed assembly lines to pack meals for Rise Against hunger. Other groups organized hygiene kits and Ziti for the Needy.

 

Juniors rotated in three different groups to pack necessities for Operation Shoebox, First Night Kits and cards for female veterans, and an assortment of kits, cards, and PPT for troops served by Operation Quiet Comfort.

 

Sophomores organized gel packs and school kits for Crossroads School and engaged in a mosaic craft and created non-slip socks for residents at McAuley Health Care Center.

 

Freshmen made sock puppets for Operation Smile and blankets for Project Linus, as well as t-shirt hospital gowns which will be donated to Operation Smile.

 

Ruth Anne Munroe, Director of Campus Ministry and Student Council Moderator, who organized Service Day, stated, “It is a time where our school community can put into action the gospel message of love and service to others, and be the hands and feet of Christ in the world.”

 

At the conclusion of the day, the school community returned to the Chapel for concluding prayers.