Top photo caption: Students participate in Eucharistic adoration in the chapel of St. Robert Bellarmine Co-Cathedral, Freehold, during the Catholic Athletes for Christ Spring Leadership Summit March 24, balancing prayer with acts of service. Rose O’Connor photos
Nearly 100 students from seven high schools representing all four counties of the Diocese of Trenton came together March 24 at St. Robert Bellarmine Co-Cathedral for the Catholic Athletes for Christ Spring Leadership Summit, a day centered on servant leadership and service.
PHOTO GALLERY: CAC Spring Leadership Summit
Throughout the morning, teens reflected on what it means to lead through faith and action. Guided by Jeanne Marinello, parish youth director, students participated in a hands-on service project with the Blessing Bag Brigade, a ministry founded in 2016 to provide toiletry items to those who are homeless or in need. Diocesan high schools supported the effort by purchasing items for the bags.
Participants were divided into two groups, alternating between packing blessing bags and spending time in quiet adoration in the parish chapel, balancing service with prayer.
The day concluded with Father Garry Koch, pastor of St. Benedict Parish, Holmdel, blessing the completed bags, which will be distributed throughout the state.
