Not even a colorful mural can hide the poverty.
Helicopters buzz overhead, police sirens wail and watch dogs bark. And in the midst of all this, it is not unusual to hear the crack of gunfire. But to the Sisters who live at St. Columbkille Convent and school it's just the usual night noise "in the hood"--life in south central Los Angeles where Sisters of Notre Dame have been making a difference since 1923. It's no understatement to say that the needs in this neighborhood loom large. But the Sisters who work here feel that living with bars on the windows and "a bit of noise" is a small price to pay to be part of this community of hardworking people who believe that education will give their children a better life.
These best friends love learning.
Danny's mother in Mexico was so certain that education would change her son's life that she arranged for him to live in this neighborhood with her like-minded sister for a few years. He came as a small seven-year-old knowing little English. On his first day in 2nd grade at Nativity School he uttered exactly three words, "Where's the bathroom?" What was intended to be four years of schooling in the U.S. turned out to be much longer; he recently graduated from Loyola Marymount University! Nativity Prinicipal Sr. Judy Flahavan remembers Danny as a motivated learner surrounded by a supportive extended family. Today he has a bright future. But what about children like Rafael? Failing grades forced him from both a Catholic and public school. This year Rafael has been given a third chance at St. Columbkille School. Perhaps his failures are more understandable when you learn that his parents lack basic parenting skills and struggle to provide materially for their large family. In the chaotic struggle of survival and with the pull of street life, Rafael, now a teenager, finds few incentives to study. Is there any hope he will change and succeed? While it feels like a long shot, the "retired" Sisters at St. Columbkille remain hopeful, and stand at the ready to help. Sr. Carol Kenning tutors Rafael in the "Soar to Success" reading program, providing much-needed one-on-one attention and Sr. Caroline Sanchez runs the after-school homework program in the welcoming St. Julie Billiart Library. Sr. Dolores Pardini, who has known and helped the family for years, recently secured a source of free eyeglasses for Rafael.
Mural at St. Columbkille School.
Though he may not realize it yet, Rafael has a great Notre Dame support team trying to help him rise above the challenges he faces. The colorful "We Are the Future" mural is one more reminder to all the children at school that their future matters! Stories similar to Danny's and Rafael's could be told by countless Sisters of Notre Dame in classrooms, parishes, hospitals, special education programs and agricultural fields. We hope that even during these challenging economic times, you will consider being part of Notre Dame's "support team." Your gift will be a vital contribution to the Sisters' educational work and to the care of our retired and infirm Sisters. You can count on our Sisters' prayers for you during this Advent and Christmas season. May God's blessings of peace and joy be yours in abundance. | 