God not only calls us to serve our fellow brothers and sisters but also to serve to enlighten and transform our souls. Through the people around us, we can learn to love like Christ.
This year, St. Paul VI Catholic High School’s building theme is “We are called to serve.” Service brings a sense of fulfillment and happiness because that is truly what God meant for us to do. Students and faculty at Paul VI use their God-given gifts to serve those around them. Some have even found that service has led them to learn more about themselves. Ashley Attal (’27) expressed her deep love for the Options program for individuals with disabilities at Paul VI, and commented on how it has helped her serve the Lord through others. “The students in Options bring out the best in me, and through them I learn how to love and be more like Christ,” Attal said.
“As each one has received a gift, use it to serve one another.” (1 Pt 4:10) We all are blessed with gifts from God that make each of us unique. Whether it is our kindness, bravery or intelligence, everyone is blessed with a specific gift from Our Lord. Discovering that gift can be seen as a challenge to many Catholics. God calls us to use our gifts to serve the people around us. How are we supposed to serve God’s people with our gifts if we don’t even know what that gift is? In James 1:5, the Bible reminds us, “If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.” The Bible reminds us that if we cannot figure out a question or have a concern, to voice it to Our Lord. If we cannot tell what our God-given gift is to help us serve the church — we must bring our concerns to God.
Paul VI offers many opportunities to turn to God to figure out what our gifts are. Paul VI also offers countless service opportunities to help students grow in their faith. Students who attended the mission trip to Appalachia, W.Va., left with a memorable experience that shaped how they live their lives.
This fall, a handful of seniors attended the Camden Senior Mission Trip. Mischa Cho (’26) said seeing the harsh realities was eye-opening, “especially when you compare it to how stable and comfortable things are for us back in Northern Virginia. This trip left me with a sense of wanting to do even more.” The mission trips encourage and inspire students to contribute to the mission of the church and make gifts of themselves to one another.
Paul VI students and faculty have also started their own clubs and projects to contribute to the community. Linda Gott, a theology teacher, started a service project in her advisory called “Skivvies and socks,” which became a schoolwide service opportunity. She was inspired by word from homeless shelters saying that some of the most needed items are underwear and socks, and those are some of the last they receive. Gott urged students to assemble bags of necessities to hand out or gift cards to fast food restaurants or Starbucks. “When you see someone, just give them a card; that’s something a young person can do,” she said.
Service started as something that felt like a chore for many but ended with a feeling indescribably whole and peaceful. For many students at the school, campus ministry has helped students discover their gifts and relationships with God.
Rodrigo Jáuregui (’26) said, “Campus ministry is the heart and soul of our school, led by an amazing group of Catholic adults … who inspire us daily with their efforts of providing all they do to the student body, for the greater glory of God, encouraging students whether directly or indirectly, to do the same.”
Together, we must work together to love others and serve our community. John 13:34 says, “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.”
Let’s love as Jesus loved, be a shepherd to others as Jesus is to us and serve as God calls each of us to do.
