During the Advent season, Lancaster St. Bernadette School students participated in an Advent retreat focused on their role as “Disciples with Hope to Bring.” Through acts of kindness and the Corporal Works of Mercy, they truly embraced the spirit of giving during this sacred time.
During the retreat, students prepared care packages for the sick and homeless, made sandwiches and prayer cards for the Foundation Dinner, crafted scarves for those in need and wrote heartfelt Christmas cards for shut-ins in our community.
The sixth-grade class demonstrated exceptional leadership throughout the retreat, guiding mixed-age groups (preschool through fifth grade) to complete each service project. Their compassion and teamwork helped ensure the day was a success.
Thanks to the generosity of families, all supplies for the service projects were donated. Families shared how the retreat sparked meaningful conversations at home about why they were purchasing items and how their contributions would help those in need.
The students’ efforts exceeded expectations, resulting in:
• 453 sandwiches
• 125 scarves
• 130 care packages
• 200 Christmas cards for shut-ins
• 300 prayer cards
Through hard work and enthusiasm, the students truly embodied the true meaning of Advent — giving selflessly to others while reflecting on the joy of the season.
St. Bernadette is proud to fulfill its mission of educating the whole child — mind, body and soul — and guiding students on their journey to heaven.
The retreat was made possible by the generosity of families and volunteers, who demonstrated the power of faith, community and the joy of giving.