As a special service to those who protect and defend our freedoms, the National Junior Honor Society coordinated a Treats for the Troops Collection. The NJHS collected Halloween candy from students and encouraged students to write cards and letters to soldiers. The candy was then delivered to Shorewood Family Dental who generously shipped the candy to Operation Gratitude. Operation Gratitude sends care packages to our soldiers overseas. Thanks to the generosity of our St. Als/St. Pat's students, five large boxes of candy were donated. Many students also wrote cards and letters to the soldiers and those were also sent along with the candy treats!

St Alphonsus / St. Patrick School students continue to live out the Celtic Mission to serve their school and community even during the summer break. Many of our students have helped others by volunteering at the Lemont Public Library. Our students volunteered their services for the "Reading by Design" program. The students tallied the reading logs for young summer library patrons and performed other service for the program. Our Celtics live our mission year round!

We prayed, fasted, and gave alms — now we celebrate Easter joy! Our Lenten journey with the Catholic Relief Service Rice Bowl ends as we encounter our risen Lord. We reflect on our brothers and sisters with whom we have walked in India, Zambia, El Salvador, Mexico, Ethiopia, and Hawaii. We commit to bring Easter joy to each person we meet in our daily lives. Our community changed lives this Lent. We collected $454.07 to donate to the program this year.