Child study majors Erin Murphy and Kara Calderone saw it as a chance to give back to younger generations. Motivating Nandanie Baboolall, a nursing major, was the joy she finds in helping others.
For the more than 160 SJC Brooklyn students who participated Tuesday in the College’s inaugural Day of Service, the event served to be an important reminder of one of the core values of St. Joseph’s College: Service.
Under unseasonably intense sunny skies, SJC Brooklyn students traveled to Brentwood, Long Island, and carried out service projects across multiple settings at the 200-acre motherhouse property belonging to the Sisters of St. Joseph.
The world is very complicated, there are many difficulties and it can seem overwhelming. But when you work together, the way these students are doing today, it will have an impact.”
— S. Helen Kearney, President, Sisters of St. Joseph NY
Dozens of SJC Brooklyn students assisted in clearing invasive plant-life from the compound’s surrounding woodlands, while dozens more volunteered in the congregation’s new organic farm. Inside the main buildings, additional groups painted murals for schoolchildren and participated in therapeutic recreation activities – including Wii Sports Bowling – with nursing home residents.
“Since I want to be a teacher in the future, it’s really nice to participate in programs like this that allow me to give back to the school community,” Murphy said.
Before setting off on their service tasks for the day, SJC Brooklyn students gathered in the Brentwood compound’s auditorium to listen to morning remarks from members of the congregation. Speakers included Director of Campus Ministry S. Susan Wilcox, S. Marie Mackey and current Sisters of St. Joseph President S. Helen Kearney, Ph.D.
“The world is very complicated, there are many difficulties and it can seem overwhelming,” S. Helen said. “But when you work together, the way these students are doing today, it will have an impact.”
