“And they all ate and were satisfied…” Mark 6:42.
During the Lenten season, every member of the St. Thomas Aquinas High School community participated in our “Dime A Day” program. No one is “required” to give to the Dime a Day Program, but in the spirit of Lent and our tradition of prayer, fasting, and alms giving, the STA community had an opportunity to experience solidarity with the poor and our Catholic/Christian Community throughout the world.
Dime a Day is not a contest; it is a total community effort to work together, to help the poor and to “change” ourselves. Everyone in the STA community – teachers, administrators, coaches, nurses, maintenance, cafeteria staff, students and families were invited to contribute whatever they could.
The Lenten focus chosen for 2022 was “Right Here! Right Now: A Season of Hope, A Season of Grace.” It was decided that the STA Lenten almsgiving would be supporting four missions of the Felician Sisters of North America that serve the poor and marginalized. RIGHT HERE! RIGHT NOW! The STA community gave hope, grace, and much needed assistance to those in need.
The total amount of money collected was $4,000! More than anyone could have imagined! Each Mission will be receiving $1,000 from the STA Dime a Day Lenten Almsgiving.
Here is a brief explanation of each ministry and its mission:
1.
Deo Gratias Ministries attends to the physical, social, and spiritual needs of its Detroit neighbors by providing a safe place in disadvantaged neighborhoods where guests can gather for refreshments, social interaction, support, and help. Through a ministry of presence, they provide unconditional hospitality to those in need. Current projects include a community garden and a small café where people can go for refreshments and companionship.
2.
St. Felix Food Pantry serves as a safety net for people struggling to support their families in times of crisis in Rio Rancho, New Mexico. They provide food, clothing, household items, and referral services.
3.
St. Felix Centre in Toronto, Canada provides compassionate service and wholistic support to individuals and families facing challenges such as homelessness, mental illness, addiction, malnutrition, and insufficient education.
4.
Felician Mission in Tulita, Canada ministers to the indigenous Slavey people in the small village of Tulita, Canada, situated approximately 200 kilometers south of the Arctic Circle. In addition to the ministry of presence, they operate a preschool program and provide pastoral service for the people of Saint Therese of Avila Mission. For more than 30 years, the mission has ministered to the people living in the outermost section of the continent.
Sr. Cynthia Babyak, St. Thomas Aquinas’s campus minister, said “One dime, like one loaf or one fish, may not feed a lot of people, but when a community comes together dimes can multiply and then we can make a difference for some.” Dime A Day touched everyone! We are truly “one body in Christ!”