Columbus Bishop Hartley High School students took part in several projects during the fall.
The first was “The Big Table” on Sept. 25, when a group of seniors took time to participate in a community-wide day of conversation.
Through intentional dialogue and connection, participants were encouraged to imagine the next steps toward a kind and just future for all. The Columbus Foundation provided a host guidebook and materials for the conversation, but each host made the discussion his or her own.
Meeting new people, sharing our lived experiences and actively listening to understand are crucial steps toward building a kind, connected community where everyone has a seat at the table.
The second event was the eighth annual Day of Faith & Service on Nov.1, the Feast of All Saints.
Bishop Hartley students, faculty, and staff started the day in prayer at an all-school Mass, followed by rotations of service projects throughout the day.
Juniors from Junior Christian Leadership classes and the entire senior class went off campus to several locations for service projects. Students visited their feeder schools, parishes and various community agencies near Hartley to perform service.
For those who stayed on campus, their mentor groups completed a service project, participated in a poverty simulation with campus minister Sam Agra and watched an episode of “The Chosen,” where Jesus turned water into wine. They took time to reflect on the day and what they experienced.