Maria Regina High School Entire Student Body to Embark on Unprecedented Program of Helping Those in Need During All Saints Day, Nov. 1

In an unprecedented undertaking, Maria Regina High School’s entire student body will fulfill the meaning of service of helping those most in need—in their local communities as well as overseas-- with a wide range of hands-on activities during All Saints Day—Day of Prayer and Service on Friday, November 1.

This year’s campaign by the renowned all-girls Catholic high school builds on the inaugural All Saints Day- Day of Prayer and Service four years ago, a post-Covid pandemic initiative that was designed to re-engage students in service work with opportunities that had been interrupted during the crisis. The special day will begin with the celebration of Mass, followed by inspiring addresses by four guest speakers.? Continuing a 29-year tradition of “500 feeding 500”, students will also launch their annual Thanksgiving Drive, collecting turkeys and non-perishable food items for St. Peter’s St. Denis Parish in Yonkers.

But, “this year’s expanded program of service opportunities is nothing short of breathtaking in its range and scope,” declared Maria Carozza-McCaffrey (Class of ’99) Principal, adding: “Our students have been inspired to think outside the box and build upon long standing traditions, further enhancing their impressive contributions to a variety of meaningful causes.”

Among the highlights will be the five service trips that the Senior class will take to help support essential community causes in the region.? They include HOPE (an acronym for ‘Help Our People Eat’) Food Pantry in New Rochelle, one of the largest in Westchester that serves more than a 100 nutritious meals a night; Topfield Equestrian Center in Cold Spring which provides therapeutic interactions with horses for children, teens and adults with physical, psychological and behavioral challenges; The Sharing Shelf in Port Chester that addresses the clothing needs for children and teens in Westchester; GiGi’s Playhouse Westchester in Ardsley whose mission is to change the “way the world views Down syndrome and to send a message of acceptance and hope” and Hillside Food Outreach in Mt. Kisco which provides nutritious food for homebound individuals in the community who are chronically ill and disabled.

Since the start of the new 2024-25 academic school year in September, all of Maria Regina’s 486 students have been inspired to think of new ways to fulfill the Catholic meaning of service by Patrice McDermott, the new Associate Director of Catholic Mission and Outreach and Maryellen Laino, the newly promoted Director of Campus Ministry.

Among the examples of how that concerted effort has inspired student-led creative projects are:

A group of students will help brighten the day for the more than 700 homebound individuals served by Hillside Food Pantry by creating colorful artwork for the placemats they use when they eat their meals. ”Put your artwork to make these placemats beautiful and meaningful for people who are sitting at home and would welcome this act of kindness,” McDermott encouraged the students.

Reflecting the need to help those in need as well as well across the globe, a group of juniors will sew the pouches for sanitary products for young women in school districts in Tanzania that are assisted by EdPowerment. McDermott highlights EdPowerment, a nonprofit led by Maria Regina alumna Moira Gomez-Madonia (Class of '72), noting that it empowers young women—often overlooked by society—to advance in the educational system, workplace, and community, ultimately enabling them to build secure, fulfilling lives.

McDermott, who previously helped orphaned children in Honduras and also saw the effects of poverty on the young elsewhere, tells Maria Regina students: ”We have so much that is sometimes taken for granted. In Peru, I saw kids who looked in garbage cans for their next meal.? Find a cause that is close at home to support and bring your best self to it whether it’s a nursing home, hospital or food pantry.”

Laino explained: “Our students are very excited about the initiatives they are undertaking, not just for All Saints Day—Day of Prayer and Service but continuously that will make a difference in the lives of their peers as well as children and adults everywhere.”.

McDermott added: “Our hope with this effort is that a seed will be planted with the students, that they will go home and talk about it with their family and friends which will hopefully help their good deeds to thrive and spread.”

The Mass for All Saints Day—Day of Prayer and Service will begin at 8:15 am followed by addresses by guest speakers Brian Harrington, Senior Vice President of Advancement, Elizabeth Seton Children’s Center, Yonkers; Kiera O’Connor (Class of ’15); Moira Gomez-Madonia (Class of ’72) and Trena Yonkers Talz (P’28).? “Keeping with Maria Regina’s mission to live a life of charity, truth and service to others, this day is just one example of how our students are changemakers and committed to bringing God’s love to those in need and transforming lives through their actions.” said Principal Carozza-McCaffrey

Frank Pagani, Public Relations Consultant