St. Mary Catholic School Community Brings Christmas Joy to 23 Local Families Through Adopt-A-Family Program

(Mokena) This Advent season, students, families, and staff at St. Mary Catholic School came together in a meaningful act of service by adopting 23 families through the Crisis Center for South Suburbia Adopt-A-Family Christmas program.

Led by Assistant Principal Michelle Huizinga, the initiative was coordinated through the Room Parents of each homeroom. Students and families generously contributed funds within their classrooms, and Room Parents then shopped for each adopted family, selecting gifts directly from individual wish lists.

“This project is a beautiful example of what happens when a school community comes together with a shared mission,” said Huizinga. “Our students were eager to help and proud to know their efforts made a difference. Experiences like this allow them to truly live out their faith by serving others with compassion and love.”

Adding to this schoolwide effort, staff members from St. Mary Catholic Church partnered with the school by adopting a family of their own. Their participation highlighted the strong connection between parish and school and reinforced a shared commitment to service, generosity, and living out the Gospel message together during the Christmas season.

The Adopt-A-Family program is coordinated through the Crisis Center for South Suburbia, a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing safety, advocacy, counseling, and support services to individuals and families impacted by domestic violence. Through initiatives like Adopt-A-Family, the Crisis Center helps ensure that families facing challenging circumstances can experience dignity, hope, and joy during the holidays.

Service projects such as this are a vital part of the St. Mary Catholic School experience. By participating in meaningful outreach opportunities, students learn the importance of putting their faith into action and developing a lifelong commitment to serving others.
St. Mary Catholic School also invites prospective families to learn more about its mission and community at upcoming Open House events for the 2026–27 school year:

• January 15, 2026 from 5:00–7:30 p.m. (limited spots available)
• January 25, 2026 from 11:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m.

About St. Mary Catholic School:
Located in Mokena, IL, St. Mary Catholic School has been serving families for 76 years, providing exceptional faith-based education for preschool through 8th grade. With a commitment to academic excellence, service to others, and spiritual development, St. Mary prepares students for success in high school and beyond. For more information, contact Danelle Bernas, Marketing & Enrollment Coordinator, at 708-326-9330 x. 9349 or dbernas@stmarymokena.org.