BIDDEFORD — Maine Catholic Schools Week is Jan. 26 through Feb. 1, and will be marked by area schoolchildren with a variety of different activities.
In Biddeford, St. James Catholic School students will be making and distributing cookies to local businesses, municipal workers and other members of the community.
Students and staff at St. James Catholic School, located on 25 Graham St., will gather together for Cookies in the Community on Monday, Jan. 27 at 8:20 a.m. to make and deliver 75 dozen cookies for the Biddeford Police and Fire Departments, Southern Maine Health Care and many other organizations and supporters of Catholic education.
Cookies in the Community is part of the annual Maine Catholic Schools Week, which celebrates the mission of Catholic Schools: to evangelize students by nourishing faith and encouraging academic excellence while accentuating the importance of community and service in a nurturing environment, the diocese said in a recent statement.
“No matter which business is approached with the cookies, we always make sure that they know this is St. James Catholic School’s way of saying ”˜thank you’ for all they do for the community,” said Nancy Naimey, principal of St. James Catholic School. “A thank-you note is attached to each dozen so that the recipient is reminded that we really appreciate all that they do.”
In Sanford, St. Thomas Catholic School, located on 69 North Ave., will complete multiple service projects aimed to help those in need.
Students and staff at St. Thomas will collect sample sizes of hygiene items (soap, shampoo, toothpaste, toothbrushes and powder) throughout the week, and on Thursday, Jan. 30, the school community will assemble gift packages for the York County Shelter Programs in Alfred. The shelter provides care for individuals who are awaiting placement in an appropriate transitional or independent living program while offering counseling, case management and other necessary services.
“I am hoping that this is a way for the children to understand and show empathy for others’ life situations,” said Donna Jacques, principal of St. Thomas Catholic School. “I am also hoping that they understand that tithing is giving of your time, talent and treasure.”
The students will also create Valentine’s Day cards, decorate pens and make packets of stationery to be distributed to residents at four area nursing homes and assisted living facilities: Greenwood Center, Mayflower Place and Newton Center for Rehabilitation & Nursing Care, all in Sanford, and The Lodges Care Center in Springvale.
In addition, a week-long collection will be held at the school for donations to the Sanford Food Pantry.
As part of the week-long celebration, both St. James Catholic School and St. Thomas School will also host a variety of special events for students, parents and grandparents.
For a complete schedule of Maine Catholic Schools Week activities, visit: www.portlanddiocese.org.
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