“You should always stand up for what Jesus wants. He died for you, and he is your saving grace,” affirms 9-year-old Stassi Schexnaildre when asked what inspires all of her charitable works.
Her works are plentiful, and the young lady’s love and humility for her Catholic faith offers a rich and graceful sense of inspiration for all the faithful.
Advocating for the Unborn
In particular, is her focus on advocating for the unborn. Last year, when Traverse City mandates would not allow the Grand Traverse Area Right to Life affiliates to march in the Cherry Festival Parade, Stassi made her sign with a cross and heart and stood proudly alongside the parade route for everyone to see her “Right to Life” sign and smile on her face, shares her mother Jamie Schexnaildre.“Someone had to stand up for the unborn babies because this is what Jesus wants me to do,” adds Stassi.
“Stassi’s zeal for her faith is instinctual,” her mother explains. “As a family, we have tried to foster her love as she has gravitated toward Christ. I believe the principles she is learning at Immaculate Conception Elementary School in Traverse City have been very influential in forming her viewpoints and values because I know she is at chapel, adoration and Mass learning about the faith and teachings of Christ.”
Stassi regularly practices almsgiving, donating to nonprofit organizations like Thrive Medical Clinic and Right to Life.
“Last year, I decided to invite all 150 students in my second-grade class to my birthday party,” shares Stassi, “All the money I received from the party, I donated to St. Joseph Parish’s Right to Life ministry.
“During my third- and fourth-grade summers, I also used the St. Francis Summer Basketball Shooting Contest as a platform to raise funds for Thrive Medical Clinic to assist in the Right to Life efforts in our area,” she continued.
Stassi worked to receive sponsorships for her shooting efforts and donated all funds to the clinic to assist the unborn, explains her mother.
“I am also offering prayer for the unborn and those babies in jeopardy of passing through the Thrive Medical Clinic’s prayer chain,” continues Stassi. “My focus is to keep standing up for what is right and protecting the rights of the unborn.”
Serving Others
Her almsgiving also includes assisting those who suffer from hunger as Stassi is part of her school’s Glad Meals. Glad Meals works to help people who do not have enough food. Homelessness is unfortunately prevalent in Traverse City.
“When I see someone in this position, I just want to help,” says Stassi. “Glad Meals is a channel that enables me to assist people in these conditions.”
Stassi also helps bake and deliver meals through the Women’s Guild at St. Joseph Parish. “I specifically enjoy baking treats for funerals. Food brings comfort in unfortunate times, and I empathize with those who have lost a loved one, especially since my grandfather’s passing,” she explains.
Stassi is one of three, with older sibling Auggie, 15, and younger Rockwell, who is 4. Her warm heart and caring personality are an inspiration for others.
“Stassi is an extremely sweet and thoughtful young girl,” reflects Father Benjamin Rexroat, pastor of St. Joseph Parish. “From what she has done on her birthdays to what she did at the Cherry Festival, she has an incredible heart to make a difference. And through it all, she was never proud or self-important. She simply and meekly gave me the gift for Thrive after Mass. She is a blessing.”
When asked what Stassi wants readers to learn from her efforts, she states, “I am doing what God is calling me to do. To utilize all platforms to inspire others to get involved and help raise money for the unborn babies.”
“In school, we learn about sacrifice, prayer and God’s love for us. I work to implement these values into my life to bring about positivity and be the voice for the innocent and those who are underserved,”
she continues.
Receiving Christ in the Eucharist
On May 6, Stassi received the sacraments of confirmation and first holy Communion. She reflects on the special occasion: “It felt like a miracle. While I was very nervous, receiving the body and blood of Christ was incredible because it gives me the graces to continue in service and ministry.”
For Stassi, her involvement continues to teach the deeper elements of her faith. “I got to be Mary in the 2023 Advent play. I cared for a real infant who played Jesus during the play. This experience was amazing. It taught me about Mary and her real struggles in caring for the Son of God,” she reflects.
“Playing Mary also helps me learn more about Jesus and stay close to him. This is the best part of being Catholic for me — helping others as Christ does and always turning to him in my daily life.”
“Jesus gives me the strength to stand up for what is right in this world. I thank my family and faith community for teaching me these values,” she ends.
