Tablesetters
is an exciting new club this year at Messmer High School. It is run by Ms. Anne
Haines, Campus Minister. She said, “I developed
Tablesetters to teach the Principles of Catholic Social Teaching to students by
putting the Gospel mandate of love of neighbor into action. It has since
grown and is being implemented into two other schools.”
Tablesetters
just started at Messmer in December 2012. It was originally founded back in
2005 by Ms. Haines at St. Francis Borgia School. It provided the foundation of this year’s Archdiocesan World Mission theme of
"Setting a Place at the Table."
This month Tablesetters is focusing on the Catholic Relief
Services Lent Rice Bowl Campaign. This year they are also
participating in the ProHealth Care Walks for Cancer, doing community outreaches
associated with God’s creation such as picking up trash, working on the Messmer
Peace Garden, and helping staff and students save energy throughout the school.
Ms. Haines says, “The people that help me with these events are the students,
theology teachers, and [Math Teacher] Ms. [Vanessa] Sowinski.” She is taking the lead
role in the cancer walk. The goal for Tablesetters is to teach children how to
be builders of the Kingdom of God and do things for the right reason.
The purpose
of being involved in Tablesetters is to become good people, because it’s fun,
and for fellowship with others. Ms. Haines says, “My goal for this organization
is for it to grow at the high school level and to take it to St. Rose & St.
Leo and Messmer Prep.”
Esmeralda Nungaray, a junior, says, “It is important to be part
of your Catholic community and to show the community that the youth can have an
important role in faith.” She says she is excited about the upcoming
Tablesetters play. Esmeralda has
come up with the idea of doing an reenactment of the Stations of the Cross and
hopefully expanding participation in the performance throughout the years here
at Messmer.
Esmeralda's goal in being
involved in Tablesetters has been to inform people about God and our views as
Catholics. She says, “I have learned that there are so many ways to express
your faith.” Junior
Jada Ruffin, said, “Tablesettlers interested me
because of the idea of volunteering in activities and helping others.” Jada is excited for the event that is
coming up, the breast cancer walk. She said, “It is a great way of being active
but overall it’s the cause. I am looking forward to meet other families and
members in this cancer walk.”
Jada's goal in being involved in this organization
is to volunteer for every event. Being part of Tablesetters has impacted her
attitude toward others. She said, “I’ve learned a lot from the Baby Bottles Project
for women and helping others in need.” The Baby Bottles project involved
collecting money in baby bottles for mothers in need.
Josselin Alcantar, sophomore, is also
involved in Tablesettlers. She stated, “I am Catholic and helping people is
what I have been taught.” Her favorite event so far has been the Baby Bottles Project
for women because she was able to get involved in it. She stated, “I have learn
that there are many ways to help people in need.” It impacted her life by
making her more aware of poverty and other human beings. Jada said, “My goal is
to bring happiness to others because it makes me happy.”
Ms.
Haines states, “I hope that everyone feels welcomed to come, and anyone can join [Tablesetters]
at anytime.”
--Contributed
by sophomores Jessica Gregorio and Gabriela Moreno
