JPSS in the news 2012

Local Brothers chip in to help JPSS:

When Nate and Sam Comerford saw that kids in Africa attended “school” under a tree − the only shade to be found in the hot, barren landscape − they were inspired to do something to help.

The Farmington Hills brothers, ages 10 and 11, heard about Paul and Nancy Berrigan of Farmington Hills, fellow parishioners at St. Fabian Catholic Church in Farmington Hills, who built a school in a remote area of Uganda called Chelekura.

The John Paul School is slowly becoming a real campus since being built in 2007. The school for ninth grade through junior college has a main building, a dormitory and a new science center. It’s grown from 14 students to 210.

It’s a far cry from Chelekura’s first school under a tree on the current site of the John Paul School.

“The kids in Uganda are kids, just like us,” said Sam, 11. “Everyone is equal. They deserve an education just like us.”

The Comerford brothers learned all about this special school − and the special couple who made it all possible − during a presentation at St. Fabian in December.

“It sparked Nate and Sam’s interest because they’re so interested in science,” Paul Berrigan said.

Paul and Nancy were impressed by the brothers’ curiosity and genuine bright−eyed interest in helping the school and its students.

“I think the kids are awesome,” Paul said. “To see these young men want to actively become involved in a project, and to have them carry on with it − not just do a fundraiser, but getting others involved and coming up with a plan − they should be held up as a shining light.”

The Comerfords did, indeed, come up with a plan of action. First, they enlisted the help of four other families, who are helping make 200 pairs of earrings and necklaces out of Shrinky Dink materials.

They’ll sell the jewelry (earrings $10, necklaces $15 or $20 for both) at a table outside St. Fabian’s, located on 12 Mile, just west of Orchard Lake, following the 5 p.m. Mass Saturday, Aug. 25, and after the 8 a.m., 9:30 a.m., 11 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. Masses Sunday, Aug. 26. The jewelry has the church logo and some have the Falcons sports teams logo.

Liz Comerford said once they’re finished with the jewelry sale, they’re planning to hold a haunted house fundraiser in the fall. They’ll follow that up with the sale of African tree bark bookmarks at the local Alternative Christmas Fair and then possibly do a “parents night out” baby sitting event near the holidays.

The Comerfords are being helped by the Strasberger family (Meredith, Hannah, Emma and Tristan); the Druffner family (Lara, Tom, Shannon and Ryan); Amy and Grace Heslip; and the Berrigans.

“As a family, we’ve always done Meals on Wheels and soup kitchens, but I was looking for something the kids could actually sink their teeth into,” Liz Comerford said, noting that “pen pals” wouldn’t work out so well, so they thought of how the kids could help the John Paul School financially.

Her kids are learning some great lessons along the way.

“We get so many chances in life,” said Nate, 10. “They don’t get as much, so we want to give them more chances in life.”

Nancy said she thinks “it’s awesome” that the kids are learning the importance of helping others. A little recognition for them is well−deserved, she said.

“Kids don’t get enough notoriety for the good stuff − and the parents, as well,” she said. “It doesn’t just happen. If you don’t teach your children, how are they going to learn?”

Comerford said she grew up Catholic and her family has always had a charitable focus. Although her boys are involved in numerous sports, music and Scouts, they still find time to help out.

“We’re so blessed,” she said. “It’s easy to take things for granted on a daily basis. It’s my job to (remind my kids) that we’re here for more than ourselves.”

The Berrigans have been experiencing this sense of community since they embarked on the project back in 2005. People are stepping up to help out in whatever way they can.

“God works, he just works,” Nancy said. “Of all the things I’ve learned, you really have to trust God will do it − you just have to trust.”

The Catholic school − named the John Paul School, after Paul and Nancy’s fathers’ first names − has become the center point of the rural eastern African community and it seems to be attracting more people to the area. Mud huts have popped up near the school, and there is some trading of goods and other signs that a community or village may be forming.

 

Landmark – April 2012 Article