ORLANDO  |  Inspired by the witness of St. Monica and St. Thomas More, fifth‑grade students from Holy Family Catholic School in Orlando raised $2,380 for Culture of Life and Immigration Legal Services ministries of Catholic Charities of Central Florida (CCCF).

Earlier this year, Leidy Rivas, director of the Culture of Life Office for CCCF, was invited to speak to the students. She shared the call to “build a culture that honors the dignity and sacredness of every human life” that is highlighted in the U.S. bishops’ nationwide initiative, Walking with Moms in Need that supports pregnant and parenting mothers. Through the Culture of Life Ministry, “our hope is for every parish to be a welcoming and loving place where mothers can find friendship, support, and hope,” Rivas said.

Students found Rivas’ presentation relatable because many of them have younger siblings.

“It hurt me to hear that some moms didn’t even have a clean diaper to change their baby into,” said Holy Family student Sofia A.

“I heard that people need help with their babies, and I have a baby brother, so I know what that feels like,” added Maximus B.

Rivas invited students to make a tangible expression of their faith, by offering monetary donations to help purchase diapers and writing cards for the families. “In doing so, they shared words of hope and encouragement inspired by the example of St. Monica, whose life was marked by persevering in prayer, patience, deep faith, humility, and steadfast maternal love,” Rivas said.

Therese Cibotti, campus minister at the school, said this was the first time each class at Holy Family chose a patron saint. There are more than 60 fifth-graders, divided into two sections taught by Dia Rutter and Mary Favo. St. Monica is the patron saint for Rutter’s class, while St. Thomas More is the patron of Favo’s class.

Raul Pinzon, supervising attorney for CCCF Immigration Legal Services (ILS,) also gave a presentation to students sharing how the ILS ministry reflects virtues modeled by St. Thomas More. ILS provides low-cost legal representation primarily to low-income and indigent foreign-born individuals and their families.

Pinzon talked about integrity and compassion, two virtues that guide how attorneys should treat and represent their clients. His goal was to share with the students “how our ILS team-members navigate complex processes, with care and compassion, to help families.”

“The students were completely immersed in the presentation,” Pinzon said. “It was inspiring to witness their love for learning and how conscientious they were about life experiences in general. Their questions and comments gave me a new perspective on the work we do.”

“All people should feel safe, whether raising your family or moving to America,” said fifth-grader Josephina B.

Cibotti estimates approximately 60% of the student body are first- or second-generation immigrants, so many students had their own experience with the complicated process of legal immigration.

“My parents immigrated here and they needed help, and Mr. Raul helps a lot of people,” said Maia S.

The teachers organized a “coin war” between the two homerooms during Lent to raise money for the two ministries related to their saints. Coins placed in their homeroom jar counted towards their homeroom total, while cash or dollar bills that were brought in were put in the opposing homeroom’s jar and counted against their homeroom total.

Students donated their birthday money, allowance and money typically spent on extracurricular activities. Cibotti noticed the students “were just so excited that they knew exactly where that money was going” which fueled their almsgiving. They also wrote cards and prayers for the clients and staff of both ministries. “It felt good to take time out of my day to tell someone they would be okay,” Ivanna O. said.

On April 14, the students surprised Rivas and Pinzon and presented each of them with a check for $1,190. Pinzon is grateful for the students’ support.

“Their generosity was profoundly powerful and breathtaking. It will help many families who have experienced great struggles, and it concretely shows that God is always there,” he said.

For Rivas, the students’ gift was meaningful. “It was deeply moving to witness their joy and enthusiasm in serving others, and truly inspiring to see these young students so eager to live out their faith in action.”