Teaching value of serving others
AS YOU WERE SAYING ...
My father and uncles all fought in World War II. God, country and family resonated and had meaning in our household. I was taught at a young age to value military service and the need to serve others. We have an obligation to talk about these values in our homes, schools and communities.
Unfortunately, many young people today do not fully understand the notions of service, duty and sacrifice that prior generations experienced firsthand. It is critical that we help future generations embrace all forms of service and, in the process, expand their hearts and minds.
Today’s youth must understand that serving others or advocating for a cause requires more than simply “liking” a post on Facebook or Instagram. To educate and increase awareness around the power of service and advocacy, adolescents must witness and experience the lived realities of marginalized individuals and communities. This requires they interact directly with the impoverished and disenfranchised in our world to comprehend injustice.
Experiencing poverty, hunger and injustice impacts young people, as it forces them to think beyond themselves.
As educators, we have a moral obligation to strengthen our communities and embrace those less fortunate. We must foster this sense of duty in our youth.
Recently, we celebrated funeral Masses for a homeless Army veteran and a Marine. This experience was transformational for our young men, as it forced them to redefine and expand their definition of brother- hood. This small act of hope, joy, love and dignity galvanized our school community.
Each year, Catholic Memorial students contribute more than 8,000 hours of community service, including immersion experiences at the Veterans Affairs Hospital and local homeless shelters. These experiences open the hearts of our students. They lead to important conversations in class and at home around the dinner table.
These conversations led a group of 70 students to organize an overnight retreat at which over the 24-hour period they fasted and made more than 1,000 meals for homeless shelters in Boston. Our urban student-farmers, using our hydroponic Freight Farm, grew 40 pounds of fresh produce that was donated.
Here in our community, our students are now more aware of the challenges that both veterans and the homeless face in our city. We have seen a change in our boys, as their hearts have grown. They have also come to a deeper appreciation for members of the military, who proudly serve our country, and the challenges that our veterans face.
During the holiday season and at the start of a new year, people often feel inspired to serve. I would encourage everyone to strive to embrace the fragility of the human condition and encounter God’s abiding love. Our community will continue to advocate for the homeless and veterans. We have tried to lead the way and want to rally others to walk with us in a band of solidarity and brotherhood.
In 2018 what will you stand for, and who will you stand with?
Experiencing poverty, hunger and injustice impacts young people, as it forces them to think beyond themselves.