Category: Stewardship

Pray for Hawaii

(August 29, 2023)–The Catholic Diocese of Peoria has asked all schools to show support for our friends in Hawaii through a day of prayer, celebration and donation. In unison with schools across the Diocese, St. Philomena will take part in a “Pray for Hawaii Day.” On September 7, students will be allowed to wear spirit wear or appropriate Hawaiian-themed shirts with their normal uniform pants/shorts. Throughout the day, students will pray for those affected by the wildfires of Hawaii and learn about the Catholic tradition on the islands like the work of St. Damien of Molokai and St. Marianne Cope. 

Additionally, all schools in the Diocese of Peoria will accept donations for relief efforts for those affected by the wildfires. Please feel free to send whatever amount you feel is appropriate on September 7 to be collected and sent along with donations from across the Diocese. If you prefer, click here to make an online donation. 

Please join us all in prayer that day by praying for the intercession of St. Damien to look over those affected by the fires and ensure their safety with the prayer below:

Saint Damien, you ministered to those who were sad and alone. We ask you to open our hearts and minds, to care for the poor, the sick, the weary, and those who feel forgotten. Give us strength, compassion, and faith. Help us to be humble servants like you, filled with the spirit of love. In particular, we ask for your prayers for the people of Hawaii and all who care for them. We ask this in the name of Jesus, Amen. St. Damien of Molokai, Pray for us!

Capstone Community Night

(May 12, 2023) The Class of 2023 hosted their Capstone Community Night, sharing about their Capstone Projects and advocating for local organizations. This year-long project showcases the students’ academic skills as well as their development as servant leaders. Alongside their parents and families, many representatives from their organizations attended Community Night. Click here to go to our photo album. 

SPS would like to thank the following organizations for supporting our students: Easterseals, Heart of Illinois Special Recreation Association, Blue Ridge Community Farm, Picket Fence Foundation, Sophia’s Kitchen, Women’s Care Center, Destiny Women’s Health, EP!C, The Beau Grant Foundation, Randy Simmons PND Memorial Scholarship, Buehler Home, Illinois Cancer Care Center, Almost Home Kids, Ronald McDonald House Charities, The G&g Foundation, Midwest Food Bank, Dream Center Peoria

2nd Grade Stewardship

(April 26, 2023) — The second grade classrooms are partnering with the Animal Care Club at Peoria Notre Dame High School and Foster Pet Outreach for a service project.  Representatives from both organizations came to talk to the kids (along with a few furry friends), to educate them on their mission and needs.

Students will be making cards in the classrooms that will be sent home with families who rescue an animal from Foster Pet Outreach.  As part of the project, classes also talked about raising money and donating supplies to help.  They discussed acts of service, and reminded students that they should be willing to complete a task(s) at home to earn the money that they would like to donate to the animals.

If you would like to support the 2nd grade service project, they will be accepting donations at school from May 1 – May 12.  Some items that are always needed are:  dog and cat food (dry and canned), dog and cat treats, fleece and wool blankets, cat litter, collars, leashes, gently used wire kennels and toys. In addition to sending supplies or cash donations to school, there are many other ways to make a contribution:

• Paypal
• Venmo (@Foster-PetOutreach).
• Wish Lists: Amazon Wish List or  Chewy Wish List

Thank you for supporting our service project for this very worthy organization!

“All things of creation are children of the Father and thus brothers of man. God wants us to help animals if they need help. Every creature in distress has the same right to be protected.”

– St. Francis of Assisi

3rd Grade Stewardship

(December 21, 2022)  Third graders at St. Philomena are focusing on the corporal and spiritual works of mercy for their classroom stewardship this school year. Since the 2014-15 school year, our third graders have had a relationship with residents at Buehler Home.

Through the years they have prayed daily for the residents, made lots of decorations for doors and windows to brighten up their homes and recreation areas, gone caroling, played games and puzzles with residents, read stories together and even conducted interviews so they could get to better know their Buehler friends.

The pause to those visits during the COVID-19 pandemic made third graders all realize how much they really love going to Buehler Home. The teachers had to find ways to connect with them in the absence of personal visits. Things like sending the link for the Christmas program livestream so the residents can enjoy our students’ performance.

Mrs. Morgan Fehl and Mrs. Traci Heppard, third grade teachers, feel that the service to Buehler Home residents opens up the students’ eyes to the world around them.

“We become so focused on our own lives, we need to see that there are people suffering and lonely. People who receive no cards or visits from family,” shared Mrs. Fehl. This reality strikes a chord with the students when they think about a birthday or holidays without cards or family.

The teachers focus on the importance of keeping things simple, the service doesn’t have to be a grand gesture. “We’ve found that just reading a book is one of the residents’ favorite things to do,” said Mrs. Fehl.

One of the goals of Mrs. Fehl and Mrs. Heppard is showing and helping the students to learn and build a life of service at a young age. “A life of service is so important. A card seems small, but it can brighten someone’s day,” stated Mrs. Fehl. “We want them [students] to continue a life of service. Our hope is that they continue to grow in this way.”