The seventh- and eighth-graders at St. Joseph School in New London understand well the reasons they spend the morning on the third Thursday of March each year preparing dinner for the New London Community Meal Center just around the corner from the school.
For 36 years, young people in grades 7 and 8 have cooked and served meals to the guests of the Meal Center. In the words of the eighth-grade vice president when asked why they do it: “God wants us to do this!”
Stones of God's Kingdom
St. Joseph School makes clear to its students, no matter how young or young at heart, that our Baptismal call and our work is to be the living stones of God’s Kingdom. Whether we do that one slice of meatloaf at a time, one "get well" or Christmas card, or one pair of socks, it is our call to bring God’s Kingdom to Earth.
So, on the third Thursday of March each year, the seventh and eighth grades don over shirts and gloves and prepare meatloaf, scalloped potatoes, glazed carrots, salad and of course brownies for dessert. Then with parent and staff volunteers, they serve the meals at the Meal Center, this year feeding more than 200 guests.
The cost of the meal this year was $750. The students earned this through a lunchtime bake sale and a dress down (no uniform) day to include the entire school in what was happening on this special day in March. The students’ commented afterward: “We need to do this more than once a year,” one said. Another said, “We didn’t know the people would be so grateful.”
A life lesson is learned ... God’s Kingdom is just a little bit closer!
By Marianne Cote
Principal, St. Joseph School, New London
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