January 13, 2009

Guests: Ellen Stemler, the Principal of St. Theresa's Catholic School in Des Moines
Cindy Mumm, the parent of a student of St. Theresa's Catholic School
Grace Mumm and Hannah Torsdahl, students of St. Theresa's Catholic School
Featured Saint of the Day: St. Hilary

Today Deacon Rick and Jenny spoke with Ellen Stemler, the Principal of St. Theresa's Catholic School in Des Moines as well as Cindy Mumm, a St. Theresa's Parent, as well as Grace Mumm and Hannah Torsdahl, students of St. Theresa's Catholic School about Social Justice Week. Social Justice week is an anual week dedicated to an awareness of the needs of those around the world. Last year's focus was on Hunger, this year they are focusing on "Our Care of God's Creation," more specifically, Water.

The students and their families as well as parishioners of St. Theresa's Catholic Church are all participating in the H2O Challenge. These students and families are challenged to drink only water for one week. Participants of the H2O Challenge are isued an H2O Challenge cup, where they put the money they would have spent on other beverages throughout the week. The challenge comes with an H2O Savings Scorecard so it's easier to figure out what would have been spent. At the end of the week the money saved will be gathered together and donated to the Sister Water Project. The Sister Water Project is run by a group of Franciscans in Dubuque, Iowa. These sisters will use the money to create wells in Honduras and Tanzania.

All of the classes at St. Theresa's school are focused on Water this week. The students will also be taking field trips to different places, like the Des Moines Water Works. There will be puppet shows, speakers, the students will be making banners as well as submitting entries to a poetry and art contest focused on Water. The goal of the week is to focus on the spiritual and the physical aspects of water. They've already had talks about Baptism as well as water in the Bible.