John Gaffney, 13, is an eighth grader at St. Pius V Catholic School in Providence.
It’s right near Providence College, where he hopes to go after he graduates high school.
“They have D-1 hockey there,” John told NBC 10 News Wednesday morning, adding that he’d like to major in engineering.
But, he said, there’s more to it than sports. He said being part of a Catholic school means a lot to him.
“Every time before class, we say a prayer and that just really helps,” John said. “You get your focus and you’re like, ‘OK, God’s with me.’ I went to public school for four years and you just say the Pledge of Allegiance and then you go to class.”
Sixth grader Malachi Odugbela, 11, said feels the same.
“Say, if we have a test, the prayer will help a lot,” Malachi said. “I know God will help me and be by my side when I’m doing the test. It helps. I went to a public school, too, and I’d be nervous if I had a test and stuff like that.”
John and Malachi participate in “FriarServe,” a volunteer program at PC in which college students mentor younger students at five diocesan schools across Rhode Island.
Andrew Backman, 13, another eighth grader, said he enjoys the program.
“The FriarServe program opens up resources that might not have been available and makes it so that we can just have a better experience here at St. Pius,” Andrew said.
Avery Pessoa, 8, a third grader, agreed.
“We’re thankful for all they do to make this school nice,” she said.
On Wednesday morning, PC President Father Kenneth R. Sicard, O.P., was joined by FriarServe organizers, as well as participating school principals and a few students, to announce the renewal of the program for four more years.
Plus, PC presented a $100,000 check to the Diocese of Providence Catholic School Office in support of the initiative.
“We are just thrilled to do everything we can to support Catholic education from K through 12 and this has been a great program,” Father Sicard said. “It’s been remarkably well-received by our community. The board and I are so happy to support this because, again, we think supporting Catholic education is one of the most important things that we can do as a Catholic college.”
Sister Josemaria Pence, who is the principal of St. Pius V, said the program incudes reading workshops, art lessons, homework help, mentoring, sports, and other activities. She added that it’s “wonderful” to work with PC, as they are both Dominican schools.
“The Dominicans have a real dedication to intellectual and moral formation, and they certainly continue that through FiarServe,” Pence said, also noting that the donation is greatly appreciated.
“Catholic schools have limited resources, so we really rely on other Catholic institutions to help us and Providence College has been so good to us,” she said. “They are our older siblings across the street and we’re so grateful for everything that they do for us.”
Other participating schools include Bishop McVinney, St. Augustine, and Blessed Sacrament School, which are all in Providence, as well as St. Rocco in Johnston.
This year marks the first that St. Rocco is taking part. Gina Hand is the principal but used to teach at St. Pius, so she’s familiar with the program.
“It’s just so wonderful to have the college students come and interact with the children,” Hand said. “I’m excited that St. Rocco’s will be part of it this year.”
Janet Ruffle is the principal of St. Augustine. She said her school has been participating since the program’s inception and they love every minute of it.
“The PC students are role models for them,” Ruffle said. “The experiences that they share with them have all been top-notch throughout the whole program, whether they are in the classroom or an afterschool program. They also helped with our drama club, so it’s been very versatile, and they have always been positive and responsible. It’s allowed us to do more with our students than we normally do.”
The program is in its fifth year. A spokeswoman from PC said 512 Providence College students, faculty, and staff, volunteered more than 2,500 hours of service during the first four years alone.
Monsignor Albert Kenney, who is the vicar general for the diocese, said it’s a benefit to everyone involved.
“I think any program that helps bring the mercy of God and the compassion of Jesus Christ right into the classroom as seen in these young students at Providence College is a benefit today more than ever,” Monsignor Kenny said. “Our young people need good, faithful mentors that understand that virtue is an important part of their lives, and to share that with the young people who are entrusted into their care, and who will be our future leaders, not only in public service, but in our churches.”
The bishop shared similar sentiments.
“I am very grateful to Providence College for the financial support it has offered once again for several of our Catholic elementary schools,” Bishop Thomas J. Tobin noted in a press release. “This very generous contribution recognizes the importance of Catholic education in our community, and will certainly be a blessing for our students, their families and our schools. Thank you, Fr. Sicard!”
As for the students, they said the program, as well as their faith, will keep them strong though out the academic year.
“There’s God in everything that we do and there’s faith in everything that we do,” Andrew said. “This school and this program will definitely help keep the focus on that.”