As part of its efforts to boost and support community service, St Rose of Lima School has set what will be its inaugural celebration to honor service in the Newtown community.The Hands & Hearts in The Community Celebration is open to community members who purchase tickets. Ticket prices and additional information is available by calling the St Rose School Advancement Office, 203-426-5102 extension 16.For sponsorship levels and information, or to send a message of congratulations to Msgr Weiss, visit .stroseschool.com

St Rose of Lima School Principal Sister Colleen Therese Smith recently said the event will be "a very nice dinner celebration where we will honor one individual every year for their service in the community." Each honoree, she added, will be selected from the general Newtown community.

The person selected for the honor, Sister Colleen said, will be a role model for St Rose of Lima School students.

Along with being selected to be celebrated at the dinner, Sister Colleen said the honoree will also be asked to visit the school.

"Somebody that we will invite to the school for a school assembly, where we will honor them with the children and the children will have an opportunity to hear about this person's experience of giving service," said Sister Colleen.

A committee chose Monsignor Robert Weiss, senior pastor of St Rose of Lima Church, to be the first community member for the celebratory honor.

The Hands & Hearts in the Community Celebration - scheduled for Friday, April 22, 6:30 to 11:30 pm, at The Amber Room Colonnade in Danbury - will also serve as both a celebration of Msgr Weiss and as a fundraiser for the school.

"The purpose really is to raise funds for families that desire a Catholic education, but can't really afford it," said Sister Colleen. "So it is really for scholarship."

St Rose of Lima School Director of Mission Advancement Paula Spellman said the event asks sponsors to help invest in service-oriented students.

"To invest in the future," said Sister Colleen.

"We're very excited about this event," said Sister Colleen.

A live band will offer entertainment during the event.

"It's going to be wonderful," Sister Colleen said. "We have JK Entertainment. We have a live band, because this community loves to dance, [Msgr Weiss] included."

A brief award ceremony will be held and a commemorative book will be made with messages of congratulations for Msgr Weiss, who said on Monday, February 8, that he is honored the school chose him.

"You do what you do because you love what you do," said Msgr Weiss about everyone who completes community service efforts, "and I think that is pretty much how I feel."

He said there are many people who contribute to making a significant difference in the community, noting, "I think we do a great deal for the larger community beyond ourselves."

Continuing to make educational programs available to students is "worth it," said Msgr Weiss, adding that he appreciates donations of generosity when people are being asked so much of.

[mappress mapid="40"]