St. Christopher's by the Sea held its annual Blessing of the Backpacks service on Sunday, Aug. 30, at 10 a.m. The Harbor Drive church invited all Key Biscayne families to bring their children and backpacks for a blessing as the new school year gets underway.

The Rev. Willie Allen-Faiella, priest-in-charge at St. Christopher's, said the service was open to the entire island community, not just parishioners.

"Backpacks will be blessed, but more importantly so will their owners as they start this new school year," Allen-Faiella told the Islander News. "The blessing is to remind them that God will be with them throughout this whole new year and beyond."

Key Biscayne students are already back in class. Allen-Faiella said the blessing was a chance for families to pause and mark the start of the year together.

The church also collected school supplies at the service. Families were asked to bring extras, which will go to Bridge to Hope for distribution to underserved children in the wider community.

Bridge to Hope is among 11 Key Biscayne organizations that received grants from the Rotary Club of Key Biscayne at a reception on Tuesday, Aug. 25. The club awarded $30,000 in grants and scholarships this year, up from more than $23,000 the prior year. The grants go to organizations and students making a difference on the island and beyond.

A coffee hour followed the service. St. Christopher's by the Sea is at 95 Harbor Dr. on Key Biscayne.

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