St. Mary's South Side Encounters Focused Day of Service

Curt Sidorski, Ministry Lead of Marianist Encounters at St. Mary's South Side, St. Louis, MO, sent us this update.

St. Mary’s South Side Catholic High School has been responding to the Cry of the Earth for over 10 years through our Annual Day of Service. Our entire school community would hit the streets, picking up trash, raking leaves, and helping our Dutchtown neighbors.  When  Marianist Encounters launched last year, we decided it was a perfect time to expand and improve upon our Annual Day of Service to not only respond to the Cry of the Earth but also the Cry of the Poor by expanding our service to local organizations and schools in our area, solidifying our role as an anchor in the South Grand neighborhood. The Day of Service gives our students, faculty, and staff the opportunity to show that Laudato Si is deeply ingrained in our Marianist culture.

We demonstrated The Cry of the Earth by having teams of students and adults fanning out into the community. Some groups helped to remove litter from streets, as we have been doing for years.  But over the last few years, we have thought beyond cleaning our neighborhood. New trees were planted on campus. Stormwater drains were marked so that people know that they drain directly into the rivers. Students and teachers began planning a community garden, and we even had a crew remove flood debris from the shore of the Mississippi River as an extension of the Missouri Stream Team Program.  

The Cry of the Poor had our students helping with two local parishes a food pantry and assisting St. Joseph Housing Initiative with one of their homes.  We also had a large group of students visit five different local Catholic Elementary schools in our area to visit with students, read to them, assist the teachers and help with classes.  This was an opportunity for our young men to serve those younger than them.  Overall, it was a successful day and a great experience for many of our students.  St. Mary’s South Side Catholic High School is proud to support the Marianist Encounters program. 

Ms. Katie Albin, St. Mary’s South Side MIT Co-Chairperson

Dr. Bill Mcllwee, St. Mary's South Side Encounters Ministry Co-Lead