Kids tackle questions of faith

Because it’s always a treat to get children’s perspectives on the world, the Catholic New World worked with St. Josaphat (2245 N. Southport Ave.), St. James (Arlington Heights) and St. Thomas the Apostle (5467 S. Woodlawn Ave.) to query students on how they would make the world a better place, their relationship with God and what they would make a good patron saint of. Here are some of the answers:

I make the world better by …

“When I go to the beach I help clean up the ocean.” Miller, second grade, St. Josaphat School

“Planting trees and flowers and picking up trash when people litter.” Natalie, second grade, St. Josaphat School

“I tell people don’t kill those animals or bugs. What if someone came and stepped on you for no reason?” Katie Cloud, fourth grade, St. James School, Arlington Heights

“Helping one another, praying for the sick and cheering up other people except me.” Andy Waltz, fourth grade, St. James School, Arlington Heights

“Treating others as I would like them to treat me. I do not harm other people nor their belongings. I do not make fun of others.” Isabel Klimowicz, fourth grade, St. James School, Arlington Heights

“I try to be nice to everyone to set a good example for those who don’t know how to be kind. I also try to be the best and most loyal friend I can be.” Karen Bixby, fourth grade, St. James School, Arlington Heights

“Caring for others that are hurt. I also teach my younger brothers about Jesus Christ. Lastly, I give stuff I don’t want to the poor.” Margaret Papanicholas, fourth grade, St. James School, Arlington Heights

“Picking up trash, being good and sharing things like football with my friends.” Caleb Frye, third grade, St. Josaphat School

“Being helpful and kind and just being a good friend.” Anabella van Kampen, fourth grade, St. Josaphat School

“Looking for people being nice, loving people who care about others and people who pray every day. I am trying to make people do this.” Max Kucala, fourth grade, St. Josaphat School

I stay close to God by:

“Taking care of his world.” McKinley, first grade, St. Thomas the Apostle School

“Pray every night and think about him every day and every night.” Gabrielle, second grade, St. Josaphat School

“Respecting my friends in class, being polite to one another, never giving up and trying my best in work and all around.” Joey Del Preto, third grade, St. Josaphat School

“Praying to God when I do something wrong, praying every day and praying to him when I am not feeling too well or am sick.” Sophie Meyer, fourth grade, St. Josaphat School

“Going to Mass, praying, being a disciple and caring for everyone.” Charley Grant, fourth grade, St. Josaphat

“Praying, following the Ten Commandments, when I see poor people I stop and give them money.” Paula Coughlin, fourth grade, St. Josaphat School

If I would be a saint I would want to be patron of …

“Neighbors, because they are the people I know and care about.” Charles, first grade, St. Thomas the Apostle

“Friendship, because I like making friends.” Naima, first grade, St. Thomas the Apostle

“Building, because I like to build and I am good at it.” Patrick Kennedy, second grade. St. Josaphat School

“Doing my chores, because I’m good at it.” Cameron Gibbs, second grade. St. Josaphat School

“Helping my friends, because I love to play with everyone and I am nice.” Eva Janicki, second grade. St. Josaphat School

“Sports, because I’m good at them and I communicate with my teammates.” Elizabeth Martin, third grade, St. Josaphat School

“Feeding the homeless, because I don’t want people to be hungry.” Erin Utley, third grade, St. Josaphat School

“Inventing, because when I grow up I want to be an inventor.” James McCartney, third grade, St. Josaphat School

“Acting, because I actually convinced my mother that I was crying.” Katherine Norweg, fourth grade, St. Josaphat School