As the countdown continues to the sixth annual #weGiveCatholic online day of Catholic giving on Nov. 30, Incarnate Word Academy in Parma Heights is putting the finishing touches on its plans for the day.
Mike Wisnor, who is in his third year as IWA president, said the school community will be spreading joy that day.
“It’s been a challenging 18 months across the board – to say the least,” he said, referring to the coronavirus pandemic and everything connected to it.
People are concerned about getting Christmas gifts on time, disruptions in the supply chain, container ships sitting off the coast of California because there aren’t enough workers to unload them and other issues.
Instead of worrying about these things and how they could affect Christmas and the holiday season, “We need to get back to basics,” Wisnor said. “We need to focus on faith, family and those around us – the things that really matter, what the Christmas season is all about.”
So, IWA plans to use #weGiveCatholic, which takes place on Giving Tuesday, as a kickoff to the holiday season and a way to #SpreadJoy.
Wisnor said two shuttle buses were donated for the day and two groups of students – about three dozen total – representing grades 1-8, as well as some administrators and teachers, will be spreading joy to selected places in the Diocese of Cleveland. Among the sites targeted for the event are Regina Health Center in Richfield, where some Sisters of the Incarnate Word are residents; the Parma Heights police and fire departments; the 3rd Marine Battalion in Brook Park, the Catholic Community Foundation, based in the diocesan offices downtown; and IWA, where Sisters of the Incarnate Word will be recognized. The school is a ministry of the sisters.
Wisnor said IWA has been very supportive of the military, planning a Memorial Day event each year. The school also is supportive of first responders, including the police and fire departments.
“And we do a Christmas concert each year for Regina,” he added. “We want to lead the way to #SpreadJoy to all.”
He didn’t want to spoil some planned surprises for the Nov. 30 event, so he declined to share all the details for the day. However, he said there are fun things planned for the school that day that will include families. All events will be done with safety protocols in place, he said.
“We’ll be lighting up the 11-foot tree in the Learning Garden and families can use that as a photo background with the stained-glass windows from the chapel behind it. We’ll also have hot chocolate. It’s a day that the students and families can enjoy,” Wisnor said.
At Regina, the plan is to bring gifts, perhaps Christmas cookies, for the residents to enjoy. Wisnor said if students aren’t able to interact safely with the residents, they’ll meet some administrators and leave the gifts.
The Parma Heights police and fire events are being coordinated by Parma Heights Mayor Mike Byrne, an IWA alumnus. The 3rd Marine Battalion event will include a visit to the reserve station in Brook Park. Wisnor said his brother was there while transferring from active duty to reserve status.
The objective is for IWA to lead the way in spreading joy, Wisnor said.
This is the third year IWA is having a coordinated effort with #weGive Catholic. Last year, Wisnor said the school raised about $65,000, which was used for improvements in the school, including the science lab. He said the online day of giving has become part of the school’s fundraising plan.
There are more than 200 schools, parishes and other Catholic nonprofits participating in #weGiveCatholic this year. Click here for more information on the initiative.