Scottish Catholic Observer

PUPILS from St Joseph’s Academy, Kilmarnock, took inspiration from Pope Benedict as they offered to help elderly people and donate to food banks.

They collected food from parents and staff for elderly people linked to St Matthew’s Church and gathered 1,700 items in total. The Caritas group contacted local priests and found out names and addresses of people who may not be able to get out of their houses during the winter.

St Joseph’s has organised the charitable food drive for the past five years, and this has been their most successful campaign. The pupils worked hard to make up Christmas parcels and donated the remaining items to the local food collection point. The food bank work was co-ordinated by Miss Curran, alongside the S6 pupils who have enrolled in the Caritas Awards.

The awards are an initiative of the Scottish Catholic Education Service and reflects on Pope Benedict’s message about ‘the love God lavishes upon us and which we in turn must share with others.’

Ms Curran said she thought the Caritas Awards have been a great addition to the school’s faith teaching.

“I think the Caritas Awards are a great idea for the pupils, and I know the group have really learned from taking part in it,” she said.

The Caritas Awards were established in 2011 and were named in honour of Pope Benedict XVI. The initiative is open to young people of all faiths.

—This story ran in full in the December 23 edition print of the SCO, available in parishes.