A Call to Be a Force of Kindness

Inspired by a visit from John Foppe, who shared his personal journey with a disability and his mission to help marginalized children, St. Mary South Side’s student leaders organized a fundraiser to support his organization, Friends of the Forgotten.

Last month, St. Mary’s South Side student leaders met with John Foppe, the Founder of Friends of the Forgotten and former Director of the St. Vincent DePaul Society.  They learned about Friends of the Forgotten and its work to enhance the dignity and community of institutionalized children who may be underserved due to their special needs and poverty.

 As a person with special needs himself, Mr. Foppe shared how he manages the day-to-day life with a disability and how a mission trip to Haiti in high school “opened an avenue that changed the trajectory of his life.” He spoke to our student leaders about our call to mission and how joy and happiness of purpose can flow from that.  Our students were challenged to encounter Christ in others, particularly those who are marginalized and ignored.  He challenged our young men to be a force of kindness in a world of pain and hurt.

Our students then organized a dress-down fundraiser to collect donations for Friends of the Forgotten and its important work.

Update sent by Curt Sidorski,

Ministry Lead, Marianist Encounters,

Social Studies & Media Teacher,

St. Mary's South Side Catholic High School, St. Louis, MO