Spring Break 2015: Many young adults across the country have unlimited options of where they are going to spend their break. Some choose to go to the beaches of Mexico, Florida, or California. Others take ski trips to Colorado or Utah. I know last year at this time I organized a cruise for 11 of my friends and myself. Spending my break serving others was never a thought that I really took seriously, and that's why I have so much respect for the 15 students who instead of going with their friends to the beach or skiing, they said yes to a pilgrimage trip to New York City. Together during that week we served the Capuchin Franciscan Friars of the Renewal , Sisters of Life, and the Apostolic Oblates .
Staying in the Bronx with the Friars, we assisted them in upkeep of their facility that serves as both a youth center for the high school students in the area, and a shelter for the homeless. The Friars rely solely on donations to run their facility, and needed our help with things like repainting the gym, building flower beds, stripping paint off of window seals and doors, and deep cleaning/organizing storage areas and classrooms. We spent our afternoons doing this, and then would get cleaned up so that at night we could spend time with the high school students that come to the youth center to play basketball. Father Luke, one of the Friars, explained that the students who come will for the most part put up with the 30 min Bible study that he leads so that they can play indoor basketball and volleyball in the gym after. I think that this was a very eye opening experience for many of on the trip, who for the most part were raised going to private schools in the Omaha area.
One afternoon we spent out in Stamford, Connecticut with the Sisters of Life at their retreat center. They were preparing for a retreat that weekend so we helped them with any preparations they had to make, including things like pruning bushes, prep cooking and baking, cleaning the bathrooms, making beds, and then participated in both prayer and mass with them. Their joy that they share in everything that they do was very contagious, and we all left the facility feeling as if we did not serve them, but were actually served by them during our time there.
Another day we went to Queens, New York and volunteered at a Catholic school that is run by the Apostolic Oblates. We broke into teams of 2 and each team visited a different classroom and taught a lesson. Haylea and I had the kindergartners and for our lesson we had the children draw a picture of them and Jesus doing their favorite activity. Many of the students drew Jesus at recess with them, others went skating with Jesus, and so on. We were trying to communicate with them how Jesus is everywhere with us, and likes to be invited to do things with us in our lives. That He enjoys doing the things that we enjoy doing!
Amidst all of the different activities, we remained rooted and grounded in prayer and the celebration of the mass. Each day would start with prayer and daily mass, and conclude with a sharing of graces (A particular moment of joy and thanksgiving) and night prayer before going to bed. As it turns out, my favorite moments of the trip were actually at the end of the day, listening to each person and how they encountered Jesus.
On or last day in NYC, we took the metro to Manhattan Island to experience the big city. We stopped by many places including St. Patricks Cathedral and then split into two groups. One group went to see the Statue of Liberty, while the other went to the Met to experience the art. It was an amazing trip with a wonderful group of students and I am so blessed to have the opportunity to have experienced this with them. Thank you to my mission partners, with out your continued support and prayers, I would not be able to be here and witness to how The Lord is touching the lives of these students. Thank you!
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| Group Picture in NYC! |
There were so many pictures form the trip, that I compiled them into a video. Hope you like it!
