Trinity’s Rite-13ers

Donate To The Heifer Project

 Trinity Church’s 28 Rite 13 students have raised $334 to donate a water buffalo, a trio of rabbits, and a flock of chickens to the Heifer Project.

 The sixth and seventh grade students, part of Trinity’s Journey To Adulthood Program, did chores and painted and sold candles to raise the money for their donation.

 The Heifer Project gives families around the world a source of long-term food. Today, millions of families around the world have been given the gifts of self-reliance and hope.

 The Trinity kids chose the water buffalo because this powerful creature can plow through mud and also offers milk. They chose a flock of chickens because they can lay up to 200 eggs a year. They chose the trio of rabbits because they offer nitrogen-rich manure to use on gardens or to sell as fertilizer. Since the rabbits have up to 40 offspring a year, they are a gift that can be passed on.

 “I think it’s great that we’re donating animals to people who are less fortunate than us,” one student said.

“I think that it is wonderful that we didn’t just donate once. We donated over and over again. Heifer International is the gift that keeps on giving,” another said.

“I think the best part of the Heifer Project is that the baby rabbits can be passed on to other people. They can do so much with the animal and pass the offspring to others. It feels good to give and help others in need,” a third student commented.

The students are part of Trinity’s Journey to Adulthood (J2A) program. J2A celebrates the transition from youth to adulthood. It trains young people in the skills of adulthood, gives them an opportunity to explore the mystery of their faith heritage, and establishes a shared experience in the strength of community and liturgy.

 These students who donated to the Heifer Project are at the age in the curriculum called Rite 13, a transition that echoes the bar mitzvah in the Jewish faith.

 At Trinity the youth have gone on pilgrimages to such places as a Native American Indian reservation in South Dakota. They have for many years participated in a summer mission project called Workcamp where they help renovate the homes of people in need. They also so a personal ministry and develop a credo.

 Teachers of the program are Maureen Trotto and Carol Zimmerman. Trinity’s Youth and Family Minister is Doug Willcox.