Parishioners of our Jonesboro – GA pastoral ministry of St. Philip Benizi Catholic Church, purchased backpacks and filling them with school supplies such as binders, notebook paper, spiral notebooks, pens, pencils, pencil cases, erasers, crayons, glue sticks, and scissors. Their efforts helped to equip a large number of the community’s school children, promoting a positive start to the school year. Included in the backpacks and school supply bags were cards and notes of support, so the students will know that parishioners are praying for a successful school year. The parishioners, staff, volunteers and our friars serving there (Fr. John Koziol, OFM Conv. – Pastor, Fr. Vincent Gluc, OFM Conv. – Parochial Vicar, Fr. Luis Palacios Rodríguez, OFM Conv. – Parochial Vicar, and Fr. Martin Breski, OFM Conv. – Photo Cred), hope this act of giving, you reflect an example of “living” our Catholic Social Teachings and our call to serve others; reaching out to our surrounding communities. Members of the Parish Social Justice Committee and supporting ministries distributed the backpacks and school supplies to children on Thursday, July 25, 2019. They also collected slightly used preschool–high school aged books, for the students to peruse. Each child selected a book to take home. Friar John offered a welcoming and prayer at the start of the distribution event, including a blessing on the students, teachers, staff and volunteers at the area schools, as well as a blessing on the generous donors. 

Members of the Parish Youth Group helped facilitate lunch for all of the participants.