Maintaining a Service Presence

7/15/2020

Service is an essential part of a Visitation Academy education. This has been the case since the school was founded in 1833, and now that we are in the midst of this life-changing COVID-19 crisis, our commitment to serving our community is more important than ever.

Adapting Our Service Model

Service at Viz has a specific focus: Just as Mary visited Elizabeth in the Visitation story in the Bible, we strive to build relationships. Although current social distancing requirements make it impossible to be physically present with others, our virtual Salesian service efforts allow our community to be emotionally and spiritually present with one another. In doing so, we continue to form new relationships with those who need it most.

Here are a few ways Viz is keeping service at the forefront of our community while maintaining physical distance during the coronavirus pandemic.

Students in Grades 6-12 sent “Messages of Love” to each other for encouragement and inspiration, which were then shared through social media and other digital platforms.
Students in Grades 9-12 are sending email messages to Delmar Gardens to lift the spirits of residents who cannot receive visitors at this time.
The collective Viz community (alumnae, parents, faculty/staff, students) participated in our first Virtual Day of Service to benefit Patrick Center, donating $20,000 to this worthwhile organization.
The senior class is working on social action projects based on their Junior Apostolic experience (60 hours of dedicated service at one site). After conducting further research into the social issues faced by the people they served, each student was tasked with completing an action project to help address those social issues. Students have adjusted their projects to virtual environments, creating infographics on different social issues and videos to document their findings.
The Lower School organized a Virtual Food Drive during Holy Week to benefit the Louis Area Foodbank. Together, almost $750 was collected and 2,996 meals were provided to children, families, and seniors.
We are reaching out and lifting our community in prayer through our Visitation Prayer Intention Board: https://padlet.com/kgoldkamp/ma5oihtuesuw.

Live+Jesus

The Visitation Academy motto, “Live Jesus,” stems from the spirituality of St. Francis de Sales and St. Jane de Chantal, who founded the Order of the Visitation. The writings of these saints unite a love of truth with the pursuit of knowledge and the dedication of God-given gifts to make the world a better place. Even during this unprecedented time, we will continue to find ways to serve and encourage our community as we work toward the betterment of our shared world.

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3020 N. Ballas Road, St. Louis, MO 63131 314-625-9100

Visitation Academy is an independent, private Catholic school offering a coeducational Montessori preschool and Kindergarten program, the area's only all-girl elementary program for Grades 1-5, and an all-girl middle school and all-girl high school.