CHARLOTTE — Youth taking part in St. Peter Parish’s annual “Teen Serve Week” this month are seeking donations to help them in their summer service projects.
St. Peter Teen Serve Week will be held July 12-16, with the youth helping Catholic Charities’ Charlotte food pantry, Baby Bundles, A Roof Above and the Charlotte Rescue Mission. From 10 a.m. to noon each day July 12 through July 16, people are invited to drop off donations curbside in front of the church, located at 507 S. Tryon St. in uptown Charlotte. Items needed are:
- Catholic Charities Food Pantry: canned fruit, rice, spaghetti sauce, tuna, pasta, toiletries, laundry detergent, paper products, juice, coffee and tea
- Baby Bundles: New or gently used 3-6 month outfits, pajamas 0-12 months, burp cloths, and bibs (no monograms)
- A Roof Above: New or gently used towels and wash cloths
- Charlotte Rescue Mission: hair brushes, twin blade disposable razors, shampoo and toothbrushes
As part of their service efforts, the teens are also busy making face masks and donating them, with 200 masks given to the Boys and Girls Club and Freedom School so far. Their goal is to make 1,000 masks.
— Cathy Chiappetta
Two young men were recently awarded the St. Timothy Award for the Diocese of Charlotte in recognition of their faith-filled service and example to others:
Jacob Dembski was honored in recognition of his faith-filled service and example to others at St. Charles Borromeo Parish in Morganton. The son of Drs. John and Vivian Dembski, he is a 2020 graduate of Freedom High School, where he participated in many activities including four years on the varsity swim team and three on the varsity football team, besides membership in the Key Club and the National Honor Society. He has been active in St. Charles Borromeo Parish’s youth group and participates in Catholic Heart Workcamp. He will attend North Carolina State University this fall to major in biology and then pursue a medical career.
Jacob Dembski was honored in recognition of his faith-filled service and example to others at St. Charles Borromeo Parish in Morganton. The son of Drs. John and Vivian Dembski, he is a 2020 graduate of Freedom High School, where he participated in many activities including four years on the varsity swim team and three on the varsity football team, besides membership in the Key Club and the National Honor Society. He has been active in St. Charles Borromeo Parish’s youth group and participates in Catholic Heart Workcamp. He will attend North Carolina State University this fall to major in biology and then pursue a medical career.
- Award recipient Kevin Joseph Santschi, the son of David and Yasmin Santschi of Harrisburg, has served for two years as a member of the Diocesan Youth Advisory Council and as a Peer Leader for the diocese’s Faithful Servant Conference. A member of St. Thomas Aquinas Church in Charlotte, Kevin achieved the rank of Eagle Scout with Troop 232 at the parish, where he has participated in youth ministry and as an altar server. A 2020 graduate of Christ the King High School, he was active in the Fraternity of St. Joseph and the student government. He plans to attend the University of Alabama in Huntsville this fall to study computer science. He is pictured above with Father Matthew Codd, pastor.
Award recipient Kevin Joseph Santschi, the son of David and Yasmin Santschi of Harrisburg, has served for two years as a member of the Diocesan Youth Advisory Council and as a Peer Leader for the diocese’s Faithful Servant Conference. A member of St. Thomas Aquinas Church in Charlotte, Kevin achieved the rank of Eagle Scout with Troop 232 at the parish, where he has participated in youth ministry and as an altar server. A 2020 graduate of Christ the King High School, he was active in the Fraternity of St. Joseph and the student government. He plans to attend the University of Alabama in Huntsville this fall to study computer science. He is pictured above with Father Matthew Codd, pastor.The St. Timothy Award is diocesan award given annually to outstanding high school juniors and seniors who work zealously to improve their own parish ministry programs, high school ministry teams or youth ministry in the Charlotte diocese.
Nominees must be Catholic and exemplify the qualities of moral integrity, prayer, good works and Christian leadership.