Saint Leo the Great School Held Feast Day Celebration
Director of Yamba Uganda to Speak at the MARTHA MARY GUILD’S
JANUARY MEETING
Left to right: JT Guinnessey, Middletown; Fr John Folchetti; Cole Dougherty, Lincroft; and Luke Simon, Holmdel
Left to right: Ava Guastella, Tinton Falls; Isabel Manrique, Middletown; Lily Grace Hagan, Colts Neck; Peyton Myers, Red Bank; Emily Deluca, Colts Neck; and Alexa Lakeman, Tinton Falls
7th grade boys enjoying the feast ON NOVEMBER 12, 2015, Saint Leo the Great School (SLG) celebrated its seventh
consecutive feast day. The entire school community - students, teachers, administrators, and parents - joined together for a joyous celebration honoring the Feast Day of Saint Leo the Great, the patron saint of the school and parish. The celebration began with a mass celebrated by Father John Folchetti, pastor, honoring one of the first and most beloved Popes. The students were asked to bring in an offering for mass of a non-perishable food item for the parish’s food pantry, which serves the greater community. After mass, the students were invited to partake in a true feast, lovingly prepared by Mrs. Debbie Newberry, the kitchen staff and parent volunteers. Students, faculty, and staff were treated to homemade roasted turkey, mashed potatoes, stuffing, corn, rolls, and fresh cookies and apple-blossoms for dessert. The PTA’s hospitality transformed the cafeteria into a colorful and festive environment, where the SLG school community gathered for their elaborate feast. Mrs. Barbara Ahmed, PTA class mother coordinator, estimated that 50 class mothers and other parent volunteers graciously prepared, served, and cleaned-up for the event, and worked hard to make the day meaningful for the students and faculty alike.
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Mary Goss visits with the women in the village of Mulajje on a recent visit to Uganda. She came into the village and all the women put on their best clothing to meet with her. Goss said that the work done by Catholic Relief Services is based on forming relationships with local people. THE DEFINITION OF YAMBA is “to help” and
that is exactly what Mary Goss does. She is the director of Yamba Uganda, a nonprofit, nondenominational, charitable organization located in Toms River. Its mission is “to help change the lives of the ‘poorest of the poor’ in Uganda.” Yamba Uganda raises funds to help provide sources of sustainable income (such as farm animals for a family), helping build a water tank to provide clean water, equip a hospital, provide food, school supplies and beds for orphans, assist AIDS patients and so much more. Ms. Goss will relate many interesting stories of the people that Yamba Uganda serves and her years of working with them. Mary Goss will also bring along some special crafts that have been handmade by the village women, such as colorful jewelry that is uniquely made from recycled paper. The sale of these beautiful items not only helps these women impacted by poverty and the HIV/AIDS epidemic, but more importantly, it gives them the gift of hope. Dollar for dollar is returned to Uganda. Join Martha Mary Guild of Saint Mary’s in Colts Neck on Wednesday, January 13, 2016, for an afternoon that will certainly be inspiring. The group will pray the rosary in the Spiritual Center Chapel at 11:30 a.m. and then proceed into Madonna Hall for BYOL (Bring Your Own Lunch), refreshments and Mary’s heartfelt presentation at 12:00 noon.