SJC'S HURRICANE/FLOOD RELIEF OUTREACH WALK-A-THON RAISES OVER $13,000

On September 15, the students and staff at St. Joseph's dedicated their day to the people affected by Hurricane Katrina and the subsequent floods. The students started the day with a prayer service that was planned by our student council commissioners of religious activities. The prayer service included a blessing of Mardi Gras beads which were a symbol of our solidarity with the people of New Orleans and the surrounding areas. In addition, students wore brightly colored tee-shirts to further symbolize this solidarity and our prayers of hope for the future rebuilding of this area.

After recess, the students met on the grassy field. Monsignor Milani blessed the students, and the 8th grade started the walk-a-thon with their kindergarten buddies as jazz music played in the background. Then the other grades joined in and the students walked for about an hour. As, "When the Saints Go Marching In" played, the students gathered together on the blacktop and our Pastor, Rev. Greg Kimm blessed the walk-a-thon participants and their efforts.

The pledges were totaled and the school collected over $13,000 for the victims of Hurricane Katrina. The money will be given to Catholic Charities for their continued effort in helping the people affected by this devastating natural disaster.

We thank all in our community for their generosity.

The walk-a-thon was called "Footprints in the Sand". The prayer service and walk-a-thon made references to the prayer with the same name.

Footprints in the Sand

One night I dreamed I was walking along the beach with the Lord.
Many scenes from my life flashed across the sky.
In each scene I noticed footprints in the sand.
Sometimes there were two sets of footprints,
other times there was one only.

This bothered me because I noticed
that during the low periods of my life,
when I was suffering from
anguish, sorrow or defeat,
I could see only one set of footprints.

So I said to the Lord,
“You promised me Lord,
that if I followed you,
you would walk with me always.
But I have noticed that during the most trying periods of my life
there has only been one set of footprints in the sand.
Why, when I needed you most, have you not been there for me?”

The Lord replied,
“The years when you have seen only one set of footprints, my child,
is when I carried you.”