First Prayer and Service Program to Celebrate All Saints’ Day
On All Saints’ Day, Nov. 1, the 500 students at Maria Regina High School (MRHS) began by celebrating Mass. But that was just the start of a full day of reflection and activities designed to engage the students with all aspects of the Catholic faith on a holy day of obligation.
The renowned all-girls Catholic high school’s new Prayer and Service program that began on All Saints’ Day included preparing campaigns that will benefit two essential Yonkers-based organizations— St. Peter-St. Denis Church’s Food Pantry and Elizabeth Seton Children’s.
Following the Mass, students heard from guest speakers Fabiola Mejias, Pastoral Assistant, and Islaim Dominguez, Young Adult Minister of St. Peter-St. Denis Church. They shared insights about their community and the church’s food pantry’s critical role in providing nutritious food to several hundreds of families each week.
In addition, they lauded MRHS for donating Thanksgiving meals to the pantry for the past 20 years and how much they depend on the school’s contribution to distribute 2,000 meals on this national day of loving, caring, and sharing.
The students were also inspired by the remarks of Noemi Rivera, social worker and mother of MRHS senior Marisa Pereira, and Jason Maxson, music therapist at Elizabeth Seton Children’s. It is a renowned and pioneering provider of care, education, and hope for children afflicted with some of the most challenging medical conditions.
This year, MRHS students will create personalized Christmas cards for each of the 169 children cared for at Elizabeth Seton.
Dr. Valerie Torres, MRHS Campus Minister, noted that the students during the first Prayer and Service also had the opportunity to celebrate the Sacrament of Penance and Reconciliation. “We are blessed to help and be in solidarity with this community through prayer, works of charity, and justice. It truly was a day of seeking peace through service as the students strive to be missionary disciples.”
Plans are underway for MRHS’s next Holy Day of Obligation, the Feast of the Immaculate Conception, on December 8, the theme of which is Unity and Service. It will begin with the students celebrating Mass. In keeping with the school’s tradition of
conducting a whole-family Christmas drive for Mercy Center, https://www.mercycenterbronx.org), the community nonprofit committed “to empower women and their families in the South Bronx to liberate themselves from economic poverty.” The students will draw inspiration for their efforts in this year’s campaign from Mercy Center guest speakers Marianne Sheridan, Manager of Youth Programs, and Susan Donnelly of the Volunteer Corps.
To help make real the spirit of sharing Christmas with those in need, the students have set a goal for collecting and donating gifts to all members of 100 families, including parents and children served by the Mercy Center, and creating personalized Christmas cards. And weather permitting, Campus Ministry hopes to conduct a whole school outdoor Rosary.
