Aligned with Catholic social teachings, Lancaster Fisher Catholic High School (FCHS) Guilds strive to make life brighter and better through service to others.
Encountering Christ by Helping Others (ECHOs) are opportunities focused on service to others. As 2024 came to a close, the FCHS Guilds worked to deliver meals, gifts, blankets, warm winter jackets and pet food.
Mr. Jacob Burley’s Guild adopted families in need, and with the Guild’s successful fundraising efforts, Christmas was fully delivered. With nearly $7,000 in community support, junior Reece Hagy adopted 15 families. All families gathered with Guild members to celebrate Christmas at a special Christmas reception held at FCHS. The main hallway was adorned with an Angel Tree. Mrs. Kathy Mertens’ Guild provided more Christmas giving as the ornaments were fulfilled for 12 families.
When sophomores Sammy McGill and Sam Tencza heard that the pets on the Meals on Wheels routes were in need of donations, over 700 pounds of dog and cat food was collected and delivered. Over 800 families received their Christmas meals from Charity Newsies and FCHS students were on the routes. Warm winter coats and handmade blankets were gathered by Guilds, wrapping young and old in holiday warmth.
While many teenagers were busy attending to their Christmas lists of wants, Fisher Catholic students were engaged in creating Christmas for thousands in our community. True giving is a lesson learned firsthand by FCHS students through ECHO opportunities.
“We don’t always see or realize what others need, but our ECHOs definitely give us our best lessons,” sophomore Savannah Thorne shared.
Study abroad with the Pope
The day after Christmas, 14 Fisher Catholic High School students and chaperones departed for Italy.
The journey began with three days in Venice filled with amazing meals, St. Mark’s Square, glassblowing, gondola rides and a train ride into Florence.
Students were enamored of the nave of Florence’s Duomo, Basilica of Santa Croce, Pazzi Chapel, leather workshops at Leonardo’s, and the Leaning Tower of Pisa.
The group then arrived in Rome by high-speed train to visit the Colosseum, Roman Forum, Palatine Hill, strolling through Piazza Navona, Pompeii and Castelli Romani.
Responding to a special invitation, all were able to celebrate Mass with Pope Francis at St. Peter’s Basilica.
The final group event was watching and celebrating an Ohio State football victory over Oregon in the Rose Bowl.