This past April Marisela and Vanessa Soto, twins and now graduates of Marian Catholic High School, Chicago Heights, Ill., were featured on CBS news in Chicago for responding to United Way’s annual April Food Drive. These two seniors reached out to the school community to help. The thread of the message in the video clip was “community” as one of the Dominican pillars which has taught them to want to give back—to say “Yes” whenever possible. The spirit expressed by these two young women is the heart of discipleship.
Discipleship is often defined as the process of following Jesus Christ, imitating a life of selfless love and Gospel values. That is true, and as the Marian students understand, it is important to remember discipleship goes beyond intellectual knowledge to a personal, active commitment to think, act, and love as Christ did, maturing spiritually and bearing fruit—goodness that will last!
How do we instill that in our youth today? How do we promote personal active commitment to following Jesus? As one who works with all
three of the Dominican Sisters of Springfield’s high schools, I see many avenues for students in our schools to practice Gospel values and discipleship. All students take theology classes, but it is through service opportunities that they learn a key aspect of discipleship.
When service is integrated into the schools’ programs, students are able to process their experiences, recognize the positive impact their service has on the beneficiaries, and ponder how giving helps them grow.
Marian Catholic and Rosary College Prep, Aurora, Ill., both sponsor days of service, allowing students a choice of where to spend them. They can assist at community food pantries, shelters, and senior living communities, women’s care centers, or at other community organizations seeking volunteers. Some choose to stay on campus and help beautify the grounds. These days are fun and more importantly they open the students’ eyes to the needs within their local community.
Sacred Heart-Griffin, Springfield, Ill., and Marian Catholic also offer semester-long service classes that provide students the opportunity to regularly visit care facilities, work in food pantries, or tutor students with physical or mental disabilities. These are unique options for students to match their service with deeper theological reflection on integrating Gospel values into everyday life—the ideal for all committed Catholics.
In addition, two of the schools have a long tradition of Thanksgiving or Christmas food drives. All students are asked to bring food to help local families whose circumstances make it difficult to provide holiday fare for their families or gifts for the children. These often generate deep conversations about situations which work against families doing their best to care for themselves. The conversations also reiterate how giving and caring for others is integral to the mission of the school and an important aspect of faith.
SHG seniors have supported a local charity in Springfield called “Mary’s Meals” which has led them to reflect together about the reality of hunger and poverty.
In addition to the specifics mentioned, throughout the year in each of the schools there are multiple opportunities for students to volunteer. A partial list includes
- Homeless shelters
- Local parishes
- Nursing homes
- Collections of baby items and diaper drives
- Making peanut butter and jelly sandwiches for food banks
- Mowing grass or shoveling snow
- Setting up for school activities
- Preparing mini retreats for elementary students
Faculty in the schools note how students grow through these experiences. At first, service can feel like something they have to do, but over time that shifts and they begin to take ownership. They become more aware of others, more compassionate, and more confident in stepping up to help. They build relationships, ask good questions, and begin to understand their role in something bigger than themselves.
In a very real way, the schools foster a culture that allows students to develop as individuals, and grow in their understanding of their connection to a community and their responsibility to do their part. This is how students mature in discipleship, their relationship with Christ, and in living Gospel values.
Sister Kathleen Anne is the Director of Mission Advancement for the Dominican Sisters and the Member Board liaison with schools sponsored by the congregation.
