by Katie Vasquez
Students at St Bernard Catholic Academy in Bergen Beach pack away dozens of coats, hats, and gloves. They know with the latest freezing temperatures they need them,but others need them more.
“I hate being cold. So I can’t even imagine being cold in this type of weather,” said 8th grader, Hali Bailey at St Bernard Catholic Academy.
The Brooklyn school organized a coat drive, giving back to the needy by collecting the basics like warm clothing and toiletries for Catholic Charities Brooklyn and Queens to distribute.
“We collect stuff like this, like lotions, soaps, stuff and like, hairbrushes, stuff that could help them, like toothpaste and stuff,” said 5th grader at St Bernard Catholic Academy, Emma Puleo.
The drive is a collaboration between the academy and the parish, who also contributed items.
“It is a gift to have a parish school, an academy in the community. so, we work together, thank God, between the parish and the academy. We have a good working relationship, and that’s important. And it’s not just the parish that wants that, the parents ask for that relationship with the larger parish community,” said Father John Maduri, St Bernard of Clairvaux Church pastor, Father John Maduri.
And a part of their celebrations for Catholic Schools week, St Bernard’s understands the students have things to learn outside the classroom.
“A big part of going to Catholic school and living out their faith and learning about their faith is giving back to the community,” said St Bernard Catholic Academy principal, Tracy Flanagan.
The school believes Catholic education offers not only a lesson in religion but the spirit of charity. As the students look at the basic items that some families live without, it makes them count their own blessings.
“I’m definitely very fortunate to, like, have all that I have. and it’s very important to me to, like, know that other people are not as fortunate. and I’m very happy to give back to them and give back to my community,” said Bailey.
“I feel a sense of joy. yeah, because it feels good helping others,” said 8th grader at St Bernard Catholic Academy, Patrick Finley.
But giving back is a year round effort that the school will continue.