EVERETT — Students at Archbishop Murphy High School wrapped up a fund-raising campaign Thursday that’s been going on throughout the 40 days of Lent, and administrators showed their appreciation by washing the feet of six students.
The fund-raising campaign was part of a Catholic Relief Services program of praying, fasting and giving. The program contributes money and services to the poor.
During the campaign, Murphy students — who sold baked goods and espresso, and took pies in the face — raised more than $2,500. Three-quarters of the money will be used to support programs around the world, and 25 percent will fight hunger and poverty in Western Washington.
"You’ve saved lives," said J.L. Drouhard, director of missions with the Archdiocese of Seattle, who was at Murphy’s Holy Thursday prayer service to accept the money.
Drouhard said that on a trip to Africa last year, he visited women who have AIDS and used such funds to open small businesses so they could save for their children’s schooling.
"Because the important thing for these mothers was to know that their child had a future because of education," Drouhard told the students.
The washing of the feet symbolizes the Gospel’s message of service to others. It’s a commemoration of Jesus’ actions at the Last Supper, where he washed the feet of his disciples.
Principal Kristine Brynildsen-Smith and Terry Ennis, who is dean of students, athletic director and head football coach, performed the ceremony on six seniors — Katie Bloom, Matt Rutherford, Holly Holzknecht, Nate Santi, Hailey Bavasi and Chris Wygant.
The students then outlined their service projects, which called for 40 hours of community work.
Bavasi talked about kits she put together for children in hospital emergency rooms. She made more than 1,300 kits, which include coloring books and other items meant to ease children’s fears.
"If you’ve ever been to the emergency room as a kid, you know how scary that can be," she told the crowd.
Wygant shared his experience coaching basketball at the Boys and Girls Club. "The important thing is to find something you’re good at, then use it to help other people," he said.
Murphy will wrap up its Holy Week liturgies today, Good Friday, with a prayer service centered around the "seven last words" of Jesus. The service is at 9:30 a.m. in the gymnasium and is open to the public.
Reporter Victor Balta: 425-339-3455 or vbalta@heraldnet.com.
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