Service Learning

Service Learning at Divine Mercy Catholic School

Dedicated to Service Learning

Divine Mercy Catholic School chooses annually various service projects for the school to participate in, both by their class teachers, staff, and the student council.

Sample Projects

DMCS students helped to support our local community through donations for the Faribault Food Shelf, Nelson’s Stuff a Truck, and area organizations including the Crisis Nursery, United Way , Humane Society, and other area nonprofits. Students also cleaned up Wapacuta Park , Sacred Heart and Immaculate Conception Churches, the school grounds, and led Mass at Pleasant Manor monthly.

Scholarship for Bethlehem Academy

The student council raises funds annually to give several DMCS students $200 scholarships to attend Bethlehem Academy after their 6th grade graduation.

Supporting Mission Projects Overseas

Each year, through student council efforts, DMCS students purchase items to support families overseas. This last year, they purchased two goats and two chickens for the Heifer Project, donated items for the third world country recycling drive, and helped to send eight children to school in Kenya .

Supporting students in Kenya has been a project for DMCS students since 1995. Gifts are given to families under the direction of Father James Juma at St. Joseph ’s Mission Society to help pay for the educational needs of families in Kenya . See his letter at right.

SUPPORTING THE EDUCATION

OF STUDENTS IN KENYA

WHAT MUST WE DO? (Luke. 3:10-18)

“If anyone has two tunics he/she must share with the person who has none, and the one with something to eat must do the same.”

You, the CCS children have done it and continue to do it! The one-dollar you collect every month, has done miracles in Kenya . My nephews and nieces are in school and continue to go to school because of your kindness and generosity. This year, Fredrick has done his Secondary School final exams. If he passes, he will either go to University or Diploma College . He will need about 1000 dollars a year for his tuition and accommodation.

Edwina has done her Primary education final exams and will start Secondary education next year for four years. She will need about 500 dollars a year for her tuition, accommodation etc. My sincere thanks and appreciation for what you have done and continue to do for these children.

My visit to your school this year was very fulfilling and was very impressed by the questions you asked which showed your interests in what is going on out there in Africa . It is very important that children in America are aware of the situations of other children outside America and vice versa. We are all children of God created in the image and likeness of God whether we are black, or white. We all need to respect one another and the gift of life.

As children we all have the right to go school, to have food and clothes. We all deserve to grow up under the care of our parents and we all have the right to be treated when we are sick. Many children in Africa do not have food to eat, clothes to wear and sometimes no houses to live in. Many are growing up without their parents! Remember them in your prayers and God wants us all to love one another and share with one another the things we have with those who do not have.

Feel free to write to me if you would like to know more about things in Africa and about the children out there.

God bless you all!!

Fr. James Juma