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Being a police officer is often a thankless job, even though it’s about saving lives and keeping communities safe. Students at St. John Chrysostom School wanted to offer a big “thank you”—even if it took them several weeks to do so.
The Bronx school and its students honored some 60 police officers Feb. 13, after trying twice before and having winter storms postpone their plans.
“It was something we had planned on doing during Catholic Schools Week,” said Sister Mary Elizabeth Mooney, O.P., principal of St. John Chrysostom.
Catholic Schools Week took place Jan. 25-31. Several Catholic elementary schools in the archdiocese cited local police officers as part of the celebration this year.
“We pray for the police every day, and we feel that at times they are not recognized for all the good work that they do,” said Sister Mary Elizabeth in an interview.
“We just wanted to do something that said thank you for being so good to us,” the principal said.
She added, “Hopefully it is a sign to our children to stay on the right path in life, to respect everyone and to treat everyone as they would want to be treated themselves.”
The more than 275 students in kindergarten through eighth grade presented the officers with Proclamations of Thanks for keeping their school and community safe. The presentations were made during a Mass in the parish church. Father Eric Cruz, administrator of St. John Chrysostom, was the principal celebrant and homilist. He also played a key role in initiating the celebration.
During his homily, Father Cruz said he was glad the school children were there to witness such fine role models. He noted with great feeling that police officers serve and make sacrifices. “You give the gift of life to others,” he told the police officers from the local 41st and 42nd precincts who were attending.
Being an officer, he said, is “a special call that takes a special person to answer.”
Speaking to the students, Father Cruz said, “Our police officers are just like us, they’re people too. They need our support, they need our prayers. We are in this together,”
The cold temperatures outside—it was a frigid 5 degrees or so—couldn’t stop the children from warming the hearts of those inside with their singing of “God Bless America” and “Amazing Grace.”
Officers in full uniform filled the school before church to line up, and after church they joined in a reception in their honor there. Greetings from the students filled the air, as did the excitement in their voices. One kindergarten boy said hello to each officer that walked by him which resulted in beaming smiles from the officers.
One eighth-grader, Victoria Isaac, told CNY, “They’re our real heroes. They’re here to protect us every time we are in need.”
She added, “As Catholics we always stand as a community. They are always here for us, we need to make sure we are there for them.”
Officer Matthew Rey, of the 42nd Precinct, said, “We have a long relationship with this school.”
He added with a smile, “This is a wonderful experience. We really appreciate them doing this for us.”
