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December 9, 2016, Wilmette, Illinois – Regina Dominican High School students have hosted a number of special activities during the festive season that runs from Thanksgiving through Advent.
Hearing of the report by Catholic Charities USA that 46 million Americans live in poverty, the school community brought in 22 boxes of food and baby formula for the annual Thanksgiving food drive. This donation will be given to Catholic Charities, which will make a difference in the lives of those who live in poverty.
Classes took up the challenge to be the leader in bringing the most items during the six-day collection. The next opportunity to partner with Catholic Charities for the holidays is the Christmas Giving Tree Program.
Sister Donna Markham, OP, the first woman to serve as President and CEO of Catholic Charities USA, is a Regina Dominican alumna.
Through the school’s Giving Tuesday program, generous donors contributed enough money for six full-year tuitions. Regina Dominican’s Giving Tuesday goal was to “Fund 4 Years” by raising $27,800 – the equivalent of two years of tuition – to receive a matching amount. In the end, the campaign raised $59,000, in addition to the matching gift of $27,800 – enough for six tuitions.
Regina Dominican Preachers – students who had participated in the Dominican High Schools Preaching Conference – created a multi-media prayer service to begin the Season of Advent. The service included the description of the meaning, symbols, and tradition of the Advent wreath.
As each of the four candles and a Christ candle were placed in the Advent wreath, the assembly sang the words, “O come, O come, Emanuel.” Members of the assembly raised their hands to bless the wreath and reflected on a Scripture reading to enter into the Advent spirit.
The Advent wreath was then taken to the student entrance at the school, where it will remain during the weeks of Advent.
Article submitted by Sister Mary Jean Williams, OP