Southern Nebraska Register
Students at St. James School in Crete embraced a recent opportunity to pray and make sacrifices.
Bishop James Conley, along with bishops across the United States, asked Catholics to make Oct. 17 a day of prayer and sacrifice for peace in the Holy Land. Principal Sister Mary Alma, C.K., shared this with the students after Mass that week.
“I asked the children of St. James to pray and make some special sacrifices during the day,” she said. “Our children, as usual, responded with wide open hearts performing many little acts of self-denial that day.”
But, as she shared in a newsletter to parents Nov. 8, one class, Sister Marie Caritas’ fourth graders, decided to do more. They continued making sacrifices, and encouraging one another to do so by tallying them.
Sister Marie Caritas said it was not her idea.
“It came from the children,” she said. “They just kept putting their tallies on the board.”
Though when making sacrifices it is usually best to keep them hidden (Mt. 6:3), Sister Mary Alma explained, “I asked the fourth graders, this time, to share a couple of their sacrifices for the edification of others. They gladly did so.”
The children’s sacrifices frequently involved sharing – sharing toys, playground equipment, candy, and also sharing their time – helping others, carrying things for others, and cleaning up after others.
“I pick up little pieces of trash outside even if it was not me who dropped it,” explained Carlos Romero.
The children frequently sought to put others’ feelings first, displaying good sportsmanship in soccer and other playground games. But they visibly demonstrated the others-first mindset by letting others have their places in lines, whether for the swings or for meals.
“I let someone go in front of me at lunch,” said Daysha Lorenzo Aguilar. “I do this for the people who are hungry in the Holy Land.”
Elizabeth Rosales Arciga agreed: “I let people be in front of me in the lunch line. Even though I want to go first, I let people go in front of me.”
Students’ sacrifices showed they continued to look for new ways to put others first.
“I hold the door an extra-long time for elderly people going into church,” said Juan Jose Cerritos Alas.
“I try to be nice to people, even if they are not my closest friends,” said Karina Adame Beltran. “I sharpen colored pencils for the class to use, and I push the little children in tire swings.”
The lessons continue outside of school, as well.
“I stop playing games on my IPS5 right when my parents tell me stop,” said Berner Garcia, “and I try not to argue with anyone.”
Henry Watts said when his mom made French toast sticks, “I took the lesser amount and let my brother and sister have the bigger amount.”
Sister Mary Alma reported that as of the writing of her letter Nov. 8, the fourth graders had made 1,015 sacrifices “and counting.”
“Though we will only know in Heaven how much these sacrifices have pleased God and assisted the people of the Holy Land,” Sister Mary Alma wrote, “Sister Marie Caritas already knows how they have helped her students.”
“The children’s behavior in the classroom and at recess has improved,” Sister Mary Caritas said. “There has been far better sportsmanship at recess and overall, they are kinder to each other.”
“We thank the Holy Spirt for this wonderful lesson in how prayers, sacrifices, and good deeds done for others end up blessing, strengthening, and beautifying the ones who do them” Sister Mary Alma said.
