By Cari Ann DeLamielleure | The Michigan Catholic

DETROIT —

In anticipation of Veterans Day, Nov. 11, sixth-, seventh- and eighth-grade catechism students from St. Therese of Lisieux Parish in Shelby Township — and several parents — spent a night demonstrating patriotism through faith as they assisted the Military Mom’s organization in preparing supply boxes for U.S. soldiers.

“I’ve been volunteering for a few years now, and this was one of the biggest teen nights we’ve had,” said Lisa Brown, parent of eighth-grade student Aaron and sixth-grade student Nicole.

With more than 170 students participating, their tasks included collecting items, making blankets and greeting cards, baking cookies, designing pillows, and packing boxes.

Students and volunteers also heard first-hand accounts from guest speakers Sgt. John Anderson and Col. Joseph Romero.

“The speeches helped me know what I’m doing and how I’m helping,” said Aaron Brown, whose favorite part of the night was putting candy in the soldiers’ boxes. “I learned all the things military people need that I get everyday, and what they don’t have, we’re giving them.”

Mary Camilleri, a parent volunteer, made an interesting discovery. To her surprise, she found out that her own nephew – who was deployed to Afghanistan less than three months ago – had been selected to receive a package.

“I wasn’t even supposed to be there,” Camilleri said. “They called me for extra help.”

If that wasn’t enough, when Camilleri went to select a food box for her nephew, Cpl. Domonic Zayas, she unknowingly chose one with a greeting card made by her daughter, Marissa.

Though it was in her handwriting, Marissa did not remember signing it, Camilleri said, who credited the incident to divine intervention.

“I just knew that I was touching this box like troops touching our hearts,” she said. “It was like God was telling me everything’s going to be OK. He’s going to be OK.”

Forty-eight boxes were mailed on Nov 6, and 23 more on Nov. 13. The program collected enough supplies for 75 additional boxes to be mailed at a later time.

In honor of U.S. soldiers, students and volunteers opened and closed their night with a prayer and a moment of silence for those who have died in service.

“St. Therese Lisieux definitely brought me to some great people,” Camilleri said. “There was a lot of love in that church.”