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Student Stewardship Program

Stewardship is a way of life. It is a way of giving each day in gratitude for all the blessings that God has given to us. Stewarship is also a living out of the virtues. The roots of stewardship can be found in the Bible, which tells us that God is the Creator and Giver of all gifts. It is our responsibility to show our gratitude to God for these gifts, by giving back to Him the “first fruits.” MQP students are actively involved in our school Stewardship Program from Pre-K through 8th grade. The program strives to teach our students that service is indeed a way of life! It emphasizes sharing our gifts from God to serve those in need. Students, teachers, staff and parent volunteers work together by grade to serve the following areas of need:

Pre-K - Loving All God's Creatures
Kindergarten – Caring for God's Children
1st Grade – Protecting God's Creation
2nd Grade – Cherishing Our Elders
3rd Grade – Feeding God's People
4th Grade – Celebrating Our DIfferences
5th Grade – Honoring the Armed Forces
6th Grade – Sheltering God's People
7th Grade – Respecting Human Life
8th Grade – Working for Social Justice

Students engage in specific service projects at least three times per year. Projects provide tangible benefits (such as canned food, baby items and monetary donations), as well as intangible benefits (such as laughing and singing with the elderly). Our students truly learn and experience some of the many ways we can put into practice what Jesus taught us about loving our neighbor!

Below is an excerpt from an 8th grader's essay on "What MQP Catholic School Means to Me" written for Catholic Schools Week:

"I believe that true service is helping others from your heart without expecting anything in return. Mary Queen of Peace has helped me to find great joy in serving others. With a different stewardship focus for each grade, I have been able to learn about and make a difference in the lives of those needing help for all sorts of reasons. I have sent cards to those in the military, helped to organize donations at St. Patrick's Center, learned the difference between justice and charity, and collected food to give others a warm, Thanksgiving meal. The numerous Dress Out Days for St. Patrick's Center, canned food collections, sandwich makings, collections for the Red Cross, and many other actions of service have made me realize how greatly blessed I am to be safe, happy and healthy. Mary Queen of Peace has provided me with a wide range of opportunities to put others before myself. Through all my service experiences at MQP, I have discovered how big a difference I can make in the lives of all those in need. This could range from the elderly at St. Agnes nursing home where my smiling face brightened up their day to the third graders who I help to stay safe while having fun at recess. I am so glad Mary Queen of Peace has helped me to realize how important it is to think of others before myself, and my happiness in serving those in need will continue for the rest of my life."

If you are interested in further information on the MQP School Stewardship program or wish to donate time, talent or treasures to the Stewardship Program, please contact the School Office at 314-961-2891.