Make A Difference (March)
As a catechist, one of your most important responsibilities is to help students recognize that faith is meant to be lived out in our daily lives. Providing opportunities for your students to serve others throughout the year will help bring concrete meaning to teachings like the Great Commandment and the Works of Mercy. Students of all ages enjoy reaching out to others, especially in social gatherings. Through Christian service activities, they quickly discover the joys of giving and what it means to be a disciple of Jesus Christ.
Service opportunities don’t just happen; they require months of advance planning. Work with other catechists, your catechetical leader, or older students to explore the needs of your community. Contact local organizations that serve people who are poor or marginalized. Be open with service providers and explain that you are looking for an appropriate service opportunity for your students. Provide details, for example; your students’ grade level, the time commitment your class can make, and if you are able to transport your students to a site. With primary students, be open to service activities that they might be able to participate with their families, at the parish, or at their school. They might help their family pack holiday food boxes, or as a class make cards for hospitalized or housebound parishioners. Here are a few ideas for off-site activities for older students:
- Visit a nursing home or senior-assisted residence. Have a definite purpose and goal in mind for your visit. You might be delivering donated or new magazines or “friendship baskets” you have collected or made prior to your visit. The students might organize a Bingo or Karaoke party, or act out a seasonal Scripture story. The Activity Director at the facility may also suggest additional options that have worked well with other groups.
- Spend a day at a children’s day care center in your area. Your students can bring games and treats (pre-approved by the staff). They can spend time playing with the children or serving a snack. Be sure to have the kids take lots of photographs of your visit. Later they can use the photographs to recall their experiences. Consider having the students use the photographs to create a digital album to send to the people at the site you visited.
- Collect canned foods and deliver them to a local soup kitchen or food pantry. Arrange for the facility director to give your class a tour of the site and answer questions about the services the facility provides. The students may also volunteer to work the center.
