Service is the foundation of our historic work and programs here at Resurrection, and one staff member is ensuring that the next generation understands just how important foundation really is.
Linda Carpenter, Resurrection Catholic School’s religion teacher, and the school’s sixth, seventh, and eighth graders have recently gained a lot of praise for their service efforts across campus and in the surrounding community.
For Carpenter, whose Resurrection roots run deep, showing the students how to be selfless servants through example taps into a gift, she believes, God gave her.
“I don’t look at it as supervising the students,” she says. “I look at it as a mission that God wants me to do. I enjoy watching the expressions on the young people’s faces when they encounter a residence with special needs…I enjoy working with young people and teaching them about Jesus Christ.”
Carpenter names her parents, grandmother, and third grade teacher Sister Bernadine at Nazareth Catholic Mission as the inspirations behind her dedication to service, citing that she was urged from a very early age to “always help people who are less fortunate than you.” In 1984, Carpenter was honored by Resurrection as a recipient of the church’s annual appreciation award.
Since the start of the 2017-2018 school year, the students’ biweekly service work has allowed them to visit children and adults with special needs at Montgomery Children’s Specialty Center and Milton Road Residence, respectively. Their work has also allowed them to assist a number of Montgomery’s seniors through their work with Resurrection’s Interfaith Community Outreach program. Though the students are currently limited to on-campus projects during school hours, they hope to soon perform service throughout the neighborhood and city.
According to Carpenter, the students seem to enjoy being able to give back to others and make a difference in their own way as a young collective of budding Christian servants.
“Many of the students said that it makes them feel good to help others and they realize we should help others,” Carpenter says. “I hope that our young people realize how blessed they are and how they can bless others that are less fortunate.”
For more information on Resurrection Catholic School, click here.