LILBURN—On Thursday, Oct. 16, the students of St. John Neumann Regional School celebrated the feast day of St. Marguerite d’Youville, one of its patron saints. When St. Marguerite was canonized, she was given the title, “Mother of Universal Charity” by St. Pope John XXIII. In imitation of their patron saint’s charism of charity, the students hosted a school-wide food drive on her feast day. Eighth-grade students then carried 583 lbs. of donated food from the school to the St. Vincent de Paul pantry on adjoining church property and helped stock the pantry shelves.

Students attended Mass celebrated by Father Sunny Punnakuziyil, pastor, who reminded students that they are all called to become saints simply by doing ordinary things with great love. The school choir sang a special hymn in honor of St. Marguerite, composed by former teacher Elyse O’Kane. Eighth-grader Georgia Aguerre, dressed as St. Marguerite, narrated the life of the patron saint.