By Dorothy K. LaMantia | Correspondent

Think “Valentine’s Day,” and images of Cupid, red roses and boxed chocolates dance through our heads. For St. Anthony of Padua Parish, Hightstown, those words bring to mind “Project Love for Africa” and the faces of the continent’s most vulnerable population, the children victimized by the HIV/AIDS epidemic.

Since 2009, the parish social justice ministry has invited Sister Kathy Schmittgens, who serves as director of development for the School Sisters of Notre Dame, to visit the parish on behalf of Notre Dame Children’s Outreach to Africa. Two years ago, her visit to the Hightstown parish became a Valentine’s Day weekend tradition.

While the order has outreaches in five countries including Nigeria, Gambia, Sierra Leone, Ghana and Kenya, Sister Kathy appealed for parishioners’ spiritual and financial support for the children living in the boarding schools of Homa Bay Diocese, Kenya.

“Like the lepers in this morning’s readings, people with HIV/AIDS are shunned today in Africa,” said Sister Kathy, as she reflected on the homily given by Father Patrick McDonnell at Mass. “We have 300 children, orphaned by the deaths of one or both parents due to HIV/AIDS, and our sisters make sure the children are not shunned.”

“Because the culture is family-centered, we chose not to put up orphanages but schools,” she explained. “Often children who were orphaned were taken in by relatives, who used them as servants. We make sure that they are in school and are protected.”

The schools of Homa Bay Diocese accept children from one tribal region, although some students may come from homes 30-40 miles away.

Eighty-two children are enrolled in primary schools at an annual cost of $250 per student, which includes uniform, books and supplies. The secondary schools enroll 84 students, costing $600 per students yearly, although that figure increases when students must prepare for the national tests which determine entrance to college.

“We work with grandmothers and focus on proper nutrition, and garden development,” said Sister Kathy. “But we also must provide programs for crisis and anger management. Some grandmothers are primary caretakers of as many as eight children.”

In addition, the Sisters monitor the children’s health, often impacted by malaria, parasites and water shortages which accompany the dry season. “The Sisters have the land to build a well but they need to gain the deed to the property before they can begin digging,” she said. Currently the Sisters buy water and are without indoor sanitary facilities.

At the final blessing at Mass, Patrick McDonnell, pastor of St. Anthony of Padua Parish, urged the congregation to participate in the program.

 “We are thankful for our relationship with the sisters and the laity of the social justice committee who inspire each other. They open us up to the greater mission of the Church” he said.

As the parishioners convened in the church gathering space to greet Sister Kathy, they carefully chose from among the selection of red paper hearts with photographs of children currently enrolled at schools operated by the School Sisters of Notre Dame affixed on them.

“I think we have to be kind and compassionate towards people in the world who need help,” said Richard Torrey, a parishioner of St. Paul Parish, Princeton. “There is need all over the world, and we cannot be narrow-minded or parochial.”

For many, the valentines from Africa become a growing collection and permanent, cherished parts of their prayer lives. Parishioner Barbara McGeachen said, “Her talk always touches my heart. She reminds me to do what is right so we can touch others’ lives. I save these valentines and put them on my Christmas tree.”   

The faces of the children on the Valentines elicited the empathy of parishioner Alexandra Peltier, a student in Notre Dame High School, Lawrenceville, who said, “I was an orphan once, and I know what it feels like. I care for them and want them to have a better life.”

“It is heartbreaking that there are children in the world as Sister described,” said Peltier’s mother, Karen.  Although they planned on taking only one Valentine, both mother and daughter inadvertently took once each.  Alexandra told her mom, “Don’t put it back.  I’ll pray for both of them.”

Lenore Isleib, coordinator of the social justice ministry, commented, “Project Love gives us all a chance to move outside our own needs and those close by and helps us stretch our idea of ‘neighbor’ to include all of God’s children.”