Hand-crafted Valentine’s Day cards were created by the children of St. Dunstan’s Basilica Parish and have made their way to Nicholas Brown, a seminarian from the Diocese of Charlottetown. Nicholas is from St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Grand River, PEI. He is in his first year of seminary studies, which is called the “Propaedeutic Formation/Spiritual Year,” at St. Augustine’s Seminary of Toronto.
With over 100 children attending weekly catechetics classes from Grades Pre-Kindergarten to Confirmation (9 through 12), many cards were thoughtfully prepared with prayers, messages of encouragement, inspiring Bible verses, and words of love and care.
Our Confirmation candidates added a further dimension to this project by praying for Nicholas during the week of February 11. They also prayed for Sam Vail, who is a seminarian from St. Dunstan’s Basilica Parish. We sent Valentine’s greetings to Sam last year. To encourage a deeper understanding of intercessory prayer, each of the candidates offered daily prayers from their heart for both Nicholas and Sam.
This initiative allowed the children an understanding of being part of a thriving community of prayer, service, and witness. In addition, our Confirmation candidates were able to appreciate the effects of interceding for the needs of others.
Anastasia Yabs, secretary with St. Augustine’s Seminary, received the package for Nicholas and kept it tucked away until the morning of February 14.
She was excited to share, “Nicholas was very happy and surprised to receive the parcel from the children.”
Nicholas was all smiles when he received his Valentine’s Day package.
It was shared that he appreciated all the special notes he received from each child! Sending Valentine’s cards has taught the children an aspect of Christian love by involving them in acts of charity and service. It also encourages the children in our program to one day discern and pray about their calling, allowing them to explore their unique path in God’s plan for their life.
Love cannot remain by itself — it has no meaning. Love has to be put into action, and that action is service. — Saint Mother Teresa of Calcutta.