Saint Joseph's Kids Carpentry
James, Philip, Michael, Joseph, Shelly, Lawrence, St. Andrew interceding from Heaven, and Elizabeth due in August 2011
Building Faith and Virtue with Tools from St. Joseph's Workshop
Children building 'swords of the spirit'
at St. Stephen's in Minneapolis.
(Photo by Dave Hrbacek/Catholic Spirit)
at St. Stephen's in Minneapolis.
(Photo by Dave Hrbacek/Catholic Spirit)
On the Feast of St. Joseph the Worker, I wondered if all kids were this excited to build and create? After finding Michael Glass, Founder of Kids Carpentry, teaching about 275 kids in my first year and a half, and seeing the enthusiasm in the workshop, I knew the answer. Yes, children love to woodwork, build, and grow through carpentry.
My personal goal is to integrate my faith into real life. In today's society we tend to compartmentalize. Math is taught from a book, fun is for recess, faith is discussed in religion class, work and responsibility are for old people, and prayer happens at Mass and meals.
In St. Joseph's Workshop prayer, perseverance, and practical woodworking and math skills come together. Imagine learning about the Trinity from a tri-square, sin by measuring fractions incorrectly, or even God's love by making a sword which happens to be a cross. How about practicing perseverance through sanding, making a jewelry box out of right angles, or praying in the middle of class just because we can.
Teaching at-risk youth English, Math, and Sacramental prep, my intensive training with Michael Glass challenging me to use humor and love while safely teaching kids woodworking and my missionary service all prepared me to safely and effectively teach children carpentry from a Catholic perspective.