Values and Catholic social teaching in action

As Edgewood prepares to celebrate Catholic Schools Week, February 1-6, a post on service and putting the values of compassion, community and partnership into practice seems appropriate.

On the first Monday and fourth Tuesday of the month when school is in session, Edgewood High School is committed to serving the hungry in the Madison community. Since the late 1990s, students, faculty, parents and alumni arrive at the Catholic Multicultural Center on Beld Street and spend a couple hours providing the warmth of both a meal and smiles to those in need of both.

According to science teacher Bob Shannon, “I believe that serving at the CMC or any other venue teaches us about humanity, humility, tolerance and acceptance. This is the core of what Jesus teaches us. In serving others we are serving Jesus. In a small way, students and all volunteers are living the values of the Sinsinawa Dominicans. When we encounter those in need, we not only learn about society, we learn about ourselves. Poverty, hunger, and mental illness are issues that involve all of us—not just the people on the other side of the serving line. We cannot separate ourselves from the human condition, or we risk becoming less human. I think we should come away from this experience with an appreciation and better understanding of the human condition—good and bad—and that one person can make a difference.”

The food is already prepared by others and the Edgewood volunteers set up and serve between about 3:45 and 5:15 pm. Participation by more Madison area alumni would be welcome. If you are interested, contact Dennis McKinley ’63 at dennis.mckinley@edgewoodhs.org.