Local and global awareness permeates throughout St. Mary’s School, Bird Island

by Sr. Pat McCusker, principal

St. Mary’s School, Bird Island

In view of our world today, it does not take us too long to expand the horizons of our information and knowledge. A mere walk to a computer can bring the world into our midst. As true as that may be, however, we are challenged even further to bring the world into focus by sending our students into society and the world, as informed and dedicated persons to the mission of Jesus and His teachings.

At St. Mary’s School in Bird Island, the mission statements of our school and parish permeate the focal points of our Gospel and global awareness actions. According to them we are challenged to “share the mission of Christ through Gospel teaching and reaching out to others in loving concern” (Parish statement). “St. Mary’s School strives to teach the value of community service as well as to raise awareness of global peace and justice issues...this process is best guided by the Gospel message...”.

From kindergarten through our eighth grade, our Catholic identity is woven with the mission statements and with the teachings of Jesus, and our response to global awareness and service.

On a world-wide scale, that may seem an impossible feat. However, as we teach children to respond, the challenges still face us: What can I do? What can we do?

Mission Week in October, usually gets us off to a good start by studying several countries, cultures, and religious beliefs. However, several other needs have also challenged us within these past two to three months.

Early in the school year, we became involved in “Kids Helping Kids-Africa” by collecting hundreds of pounds of school supplies to send to Ghana. In early October we again became involved in “Kids Helping Kids-Iraq” by sending hundreds of toys to these children.

We have collected and sent shoes to the children in Afghanistan; written letters and sent care packages to our service men and women in Iraq. Each day we pray, morning and afternoon via our school intercom, for those in service to our country, particularly for those of our own locale who are members of the Battery B-1-151 soon to be deployed to Iraq. This becomes particularly meaningful for us, because several of them are our former students. We have approximately 55 members of Battery B that have been recommended for our prayers. We select five to ten of them each day and pray for them by name. Their names are also posted in our schools and church entries.

Correspondence is being done with our service men and women. This is done on every grade level. Several cards and gifts are also prepared and sent to those who serve our country.

The local communities are not forgotten. The food shelf, blankets and coats for those in need, the Relay for Life, sponsorship for needy families, visits to the elderly in the local Manors, have all become a part of St. Mary’s School commitment to live out the Gospel message and mission of Jesus Christ. And, yes, we have still “many miles to go”. And many people to meet.