I went to Dr. Menk's lecture at John Carroll University regarding the book that he wrote. 

My friend and I both had prepared our baskets in advisory then when the day came we picked up 10 baskets and the perishables. We then delivered them to the group home in Cleveland and passed out the food and loaded the cars until all the food was gone. 

Lacie Frech

Mr. Beach

Theology 12

14 April 2023

Capstone Essay

Gilmour Academy is an independent Catholic school that follows the orders of the Holy Cross tradition, inspiring students and faculty to lead a life of faith and service. As a senior, I get to look back at my time as a student at Gilmour, starting at the beginning, Montessori. Attending such a school provided me with a rich environment to choose a religious path and continue to follow it. As a younger student, one tool used within my school was hands-on learning, allowing students to undergo experiential learning. This was applied to many projects and activities we had done as an elementary school. In addition, the faculty and staff made a point to incorporate service opportunities here and there; this allowed us, as young students, to be exposed to possible future religious journeys. Having a Catholic education can provide you with a unique opportunity to learn about your faith through service projects and develop a deeper understanding of the needs of your community. At that age, you look up to those older than you, whether it be older students or the faculty; when we gathered as an entire school, you could feel the sense of community spread throughout all different age groups. 

Most of my time spent doing acts of service are from volunteering my time at food drives, churches,  and shelters, whether it be associated with Gilmour or not. When I volunteered at these places, I realized how important your interactions with these individuals are. They typically are experiencing poverty, homelessness, or other forms of vulnerability. By spending time with these people and hearing their stories, I gained a deeper understanding of their struggles and the root causes of their situations. This experience gives a sense of empathy and compassion for those who are often marginalized and excluded from society.

Volunteering can also help you to recognize the systemic issues that contribute to poverty and inequality. By working at food drives, churches, shelters, etc.… you may start to see patterns of disadvantage that affect vulnerable communities. This can inspire you and others to take action to address the root causes of these issues and work toward systemic change.

This main form of volunteering is what gave me a sense of purpose and fulfillment. By giving my time and energy to help others, I felt a deeper connection to my community and a desire to make a positive impact in the world. This inspired me to continue to work toward justice and compassion in other areas of my life.

Charity typically involves providing short-term relief to individuals in need, such as providing food, shelter, or clothing. The act of charity is important and can provide immediate support to those in need, but it does not fully address the root causes of such hardships. On the other hand, justice focuses on addressing the systemic issues that create these injustices. Justice involves working towards long-term solutions to discuss the initial issues of poverty, such as access to education, healthcare, affordable housing, and employment opportunities. Volunteering at such places can show you the difference between charity and justice by providing a firsthand understanding of the limitations of charity and the need for more comprehensive and sustainable solutions to address the main cause of immense poverty. 

Along with these acts of service, I also participated as a leader for both safety town and vacation bible school. As a leader, it gave me the opportunity to engage with the children on a personal level and build meaningful relationships with them. By playing games, teaching lessons, and guiding their activities, you can create positive memories and lasting impressions that the children will remember for years to come. By leading these programs, it allowed me to create a safe and supportive environment for these children to feel comfortable and be themselves. 

By volunteering in different areas, you may observe the common threads that connect poverty, homelessness, hunger, and inequality. This can inspire you to work towards systemic change that addresses the root causes of these issues rather than just providing a short-term fix. It can deepen your understanding of the importance of community and collaboration in service and justice work. By working with different organizations and individuals, you may gain a better understanding of the strengths and limitations of each group and the importance of working together towards a common goal. This can help you develop more effective strategies for creating positive change in your community. It can also expand your perspective and increase your empathy for individuals experiencing different forms of vulnerability. When volunteering, you may gain a deeper understanding of the diverse experiences and challenges faced by individuals in your community. This can help you develop a more nuanced understanding of service and justice work and inspire you to be more inclusive and responsive to the needs of different communities.