Kindergarten, Brookfield Zoo: As we celebrate the tenth anniversary of Laudato Si’, we remember our commitment to caring for our common home through acts big and small. Students spent the day adventuring alongside God’s creatures and visiting the adopted endangered animal of each class: Sasha the Leopard, Robin the Zebra, and Nora the Gorilla, and the day was enjoyed by all! Special thanks to our grade leaders Courtney Kipper and Claribel Quintana!

1st Grade, Lake Katherine Nature Center: Students enjoyed the Fur, Feather, and Scales program, where they had the unique opportunity to touch and explore various animal body coverings, including snake skin, turtle shells, mammal pelts, and feathers. In the afternoon, they embarked on a nature scavenger hunt, appreciating all of God’s beautiful gifts in the great outdoors. As a special takeaway, each student received an Illinois wildflower seed packet to sow at home, spreading goodness while supporting local pollinators. Special thanks to our grade leader Julie Napleton!

5th grade, St. Blase Food Pantry: Our largest grade, with 72 students, traveled to Summit to support the Catholic Charities Food Pantry. They worked together to sort, organize, and distribute essential food items, ensuring local families in need received the support they deserve. As part of their service, they unloaded our own SJC donation collection—over two trunk loads—before rotating through various pantry tasks. Students also worked efficiently on an assembly line, creating 500 blessing bags to provide much-needed essential supplies for two weeks of pantry patrons. Their hard work and generosity made a meaningful impact on the community! Special thanks to our grade leader Carolyn Wyness!

6th Grade, Feed My Starving Children: Students headed to Aurora to volunteer at Feed My Starving Children, where they worked together to pack nutritious meals for children in need around the world. Through this hands-on experience, they gained a deeper understanding of the importance of global service and the power of collective action in making a difference. In fact, their packaged 27,000 meals, feeding 74 children daily meals for an entire year amounting in $7,830! Special thanks to our grade leader Michele Cogan!

7th and 8th, Chicago Food Depository: Our 7th and 8th graders traveled to the Chicago Food Depository, where they spent the morning sorting and packing food to help fight hunger in our local Chicagoland communities. This experience not only provided a valuable lesson in service but also highlighted the importance of community outreach and working together to make a positive impact. All total they packaged 9,274 meals or 182 meals per student volunteer. Special thanks to our grade leader, Kate Scovitch!

And at the beginning of the month, our students raised over $1,100 to support our own SJC family-led Violet Foundation and fight pediatric brain cancer!

We are so proud of our students’ hard work, enthusiasm, and dedication to making the world a better place. Thank you to all our students, teachers, and volunteers for your continued support and commitment to these important causes. May we use this Lenten journey to reflect on our own actions to grow in love and service to one another. What a wonderful tradition to celebrate! Thank you for your continued support, and may the blessings of this season be with you and your families.