EAST STROUDSBURG – The visit of Pope Francis to the U.S. has created excitement at Notre Dame Junior Senior High School in East Stroudsburg. The students there aren’t just watching the Pope. They’re trying to harness his good will, and help others in the Poconos.
The rosary is prayed each and every day at this Catholic school in East Stroudsburg for the safety of Pope Francis as he travels in the U.S.
In other classrooms at Notre Dame Junior Senior High School, students watched as the pope spoke to people gathered at the White House in Washington, D.C.
"I think he's a great man. He's very outgoing and he loves to be around people. He's always out doing great things for the world,” said junior Krista Kissell.
Many are taking note of how Pope Francis is trying to relate to everyday people.
"He's pretty humble, especially when he came in in the Fiat, the little car. He's really, he's different from any pope I've seen,” said eighth grade student Patrick Carney.
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The students at Notre Dame High School are also trying to carry out Pope Francis' mission. Notes of welcome and kind words are posted all throughout the hallways.
"May God be with you" and "You are loved" – notes are written and left on lockers. The students also started collecting items for the needy in the Poconos.
"The best way to pray is to help each other, so that's why we're helping the poor and that's why we're bringing in all of the different things,” said junior John Brunnquell.
They're spreading a message of giving, hope, and love – inspired by a very popular Pope Francis.
"It's really nice. We have a food drive, people are leaving nice notes on lockers and it's great. Our faith has really been skyrocketing here,” said eighth grade student Claire Toomey.
The Notre Dame Junior Senior High School will host a special visitor of their own next week. They will celebrate mass with Bishop Bambera from the Diocese of Scranton on Monday.