Middle schoolers meet St. Catherine Summer Challenge, engage in service week  

By Roselynn Pucan-Meagor
When 28 incoming sixth through eighth graders registered for the St. Catherine Summer Challenge -- SC² at St. Catherine of Alexandria Parish in Morgan Hill, they did not know what to expect.
It was a new program, a middle school service week that was part of the parish’s response to the diocesan Catholic On Purpose initiative to develop new ways for youth to connect to the parish community and encounter Jesus in their everyday lives.
Modeled after a program in Austin, Texas, SC² creates opportunities for middle-schoolers to put faith into action and fill the immediate need for junior leaders for Vacation Bible School.
SC² participants began the week with a mini-retreat where discussions focused on Christ Jesus as the example of a servant leader. The youth then served at organizations in teams of 4 or 5, with an adult team leader.
They served lunch to seniors at Centennial Recreation Senior Center in Morgan Hill; restocked food items and assisted at Reach Out food pantry; helped repaint “no parking” zones for St. Catherine Church; and picked blackberries at Chiala Farms to bring to the food pantry and senior center.
At St. Vincent de Paul, teams sorted clothes and shoes for a children’s clothing giveaway and assembled clothing donation bags to give to parishioners.
As junior leaders for Vacation Bible School, SC² participants served on teams for drama/music, media, snack and outdoor activities and in the grade level classes. Each day ended with journaling and discussion, keys to help participants reflect on their experiences.
Stefania Miller, parent of Bradley Miller, incoming seventh grader, noticed changes in her son, particularly in his attitude toward service. “After serving food to the needy of our community at Reach Out, he came home humbled and shocked. His eyes had been opened…poverty and hunger became a real issue for him.”
Carly Jensen, incoming seventh grader at Oakwood School, said, “I met new friends and had fun with the old ones. Having the opportunity to work at Reach Out was amazing. Seeing people with gratefulness in their eyes made me feel extremely thankful for everything I have.”
Debbie Molyneaux of St. Vincent de Paul Society noted, “I think the kids put their hearts and souls into it. What they did was a gracious thing and I am very proud of them.”
Participants realize they can make a difference. Several have contacted the organizations on their own to continue to volunteer.
• Roselynn Pucan-Meagor is Director of Family Faith Formation and Evangelization at St. Catherine of Alexandria Parish, Morgan Hill.