IWA Students Distribute Over 330 Care Packets to those in need in observance of Year of Faith

Incarnate Word Academy kicked off the “Year of Faith” with a campus-wide service project to deliver more than 330 care packets to area social service agencies.
 
IWA’s Elementary, Middle and High School students collected and assembled travel-sized items such as toothbrushes, toothpastes, shampoos, conditioners, body washes and more for the care packets on Monday, Nov. 12.
 
“It was important because we were helping people that didn’t have the things that we have,” seventh grader Molly Flood said. “I felt good about it.”
 
High School students distributed the care packets with the help of the Sisters of the Incarnate Word and Blessed Sacrament on Wednesday, Nov. 14.
 
Each care packet included a prayer card from students at IWA.
 
“Our whole campus helped get items for these people in need and came together as a community for them,” senior Zack Martin said.
 
The number 330 – for the care packets – was created by adding: 100 years that the diocese is celebrating, 160 years that the Sisters of the Incarnate Word have been in America, 50 years since Vatican II and 20 years of the publication of the Catechism of the Catholic Church.
 
“We assigned items to each class and were delighted and so very grateful to all the students, faculty and staff that we were able to complete the service,” IWA religious studies teacher Sister Judith Marie Saenz, IWBS, said. “We pray that the packets will help the people who receive them to experience the love of Jesus, the Incarnate Word.”
 
Pope Benedict XVI announced the beginning of the global Year of Faith on Oct. 11 at St. Peter's square at the Vatican. The Year of Faith will continue until Nov. 24, 2013.
 
“IWA is excited to begin the year with unity and solidarity as we unite throughout the campus with service projects and reflections,” Sister Judith Marie said.