Tony and Theresa Farina are volunteer kitchen helpers at LaSalle Academy in Shillington, serving up equal doses of cafeteria food and octogenarian wisdom to elementary students.
Following the death of their daughter 10 years ago, Theresa, now 82, answered a help-wanted ad from the school. “My wife said, ‘I guess it’s a good time to go up there and help those children,’” said Tony, 86.
The next year, Theresa persuaded her husband to come along, and they’ve been doing it two days a week ever since, taking turns serving burgers and grilled cheese and chicken tenders, then helping with cleanup between lunch periods.
“Now and then, I’ll see a child who’s not eating, or feeling down, and I’ll go over and offer an encouraging word,” said Theresa. “These students are like grandchildren to us.”
“Our pastor, Father Richard Clement, always talks about love, and about bestowing it on others,” Tony said. The couple attends St. John Baptist de la Salle in Shillington.
“This is one way we bestow love on others,” he said. “It helps keep us strong in our Catholic faith.”
Theresa and Tony admit that one of the benefits of their volunteer gig is a healthy and nutritious school lunch. “But we’re not doing that today,” he said, while being interviewed on Feb. 14. “Today I’m taking my wife out for Valentine’s Day.”
“Because We Are Catholic” tells the stories of how the people of the Diocese of Allentown make a difference in the lives of others, bringing the Light of Christ to each other and to our community.
