Aquinas Academy: Children growing in their faith

By Phil Brown|
Contributing Writer

GREENSBURG – A priest’s simple, four-word call to action took root deep in Tracy Wilhelm’s heart.

The parishioner of St. Bruno Parish recounts a homily by Father Lawrence L. Manchas, in which he said he disagreed with conventional wisdom that children are the future.

“Children are our now,” Father Manchas said in his homily.

“I always said that they are the future, but the last part of that statement left a profound impact on me,” Wilhelm said.

Wilhelm, who has served as a catechist at St. Bruno Parish, said she feels it’s hard to change an adult, but with children there’s so much opportunity to nurture the seeds of faith and to help them hear the Lord’s call to serve others.

But the window of opportunity is short, she says, noting an urgency to teach the faith before students reach the point where innocence is lost.

Wilhelm saw an opportunity to pursue her passion to help children grow in the faith when her granddaughter was enrolled in preschool at Greensburg’s Aquinas Academy. She volunteered in the school cafeteria, and before long offered to start a ministry of service to help students experience Christian values of empathy, compassion and responsibility to help their neighbors.

The program started at a Lenten fish fry at St. Bruno Parish. Wilhelm recruited 21 students to help clear tables and serve meals. By the end of Lent, 45 students were helping out.

“The majority of the children set tables, but older children had the opportunity to serve meals,” she said. “It turned out to be a family thing, with children from kindergarten to sixth grade helping out and earning service hours.

“The compliments from the customers were unbelievable,” Wilhelm said. “They insisted on tipping the students.”

The tips were set aside and later given as an offering at Blessed Sacrament Cathedral, she said.

Wilhelm approached Principal Kelly Watkins with a plan for summer camp with the theme “Taking care of God’s creation.”

The six-week camp grew into a recycling club that meets twice a month, where students learn the importance of taking care of the Earth and its resources, she said.

The service ministry then launched a parents’ night out program. Safe child care was offered monthly to give parents a break and provide children with the opportunity to learn the importance of service in projects aimed at helping others in need of love and support.

As part of parents’ night out, students packed boxes for the Appalachian Shoe Box Christmas project, which collects essential items for adults and children in need in West Virginia, Pennsylvania, Ohio and Kentucky.

Wilhelm said they learned that they are blessed and were encouraged to share with those who are less fortunate.

Students have also made Christmas cards for troops serving overseas, helping them learn about the sacrifices men and women in uniform make during the holidays and throughout the year to keep the nation safe, she said.

Wilhelm says she lays awake at night coming up with ideas to help students serve the community and parishes. She is trying to build a team of parents to help guide the effort.

“The whole focal point is on God and Jesus,” she said.

Wilhelm’s hard work is applauded by the school’s principal.

“Tracy is an amazing person,” Watkins said. “Her passion about this ministry is teaching the kids the importance of helping others and making a difference in the community. She’s instilling in them the values of empathy, compassion and responsibility. These are the values Aquinas Academy strives to teach our students. Her enthusiasm is contagious, and the kids can’t wait to participate in the next project.”