Browning, Day 4, De La Salle, March 12, 2026

On this trip in particular there was a real temptation to think that we drew the short straw in one way or another. We had planned to spend four days in the classroom with the students of De La salle, and instead we only got two. Monday we were cooped up inside then hiked and, and today we did a deep clean of various parts of the school, hardly the fun and engaging work I expected to have with the students. In reality, however, God gave me just what I needed. I’m used to the idea of feeling good and fulfilled after giving of myself in some capacity, but I’m far less familiar with serving without any reward, emotional or otherwise. On the days I worked with the students I was made to remember that I was in the presence of God because I was constantly asking for the grace to serve these kids for whom I felt so much love for. Today I was forced to remember that I’m in the presence of God because I didn’t feel much. There was no emotional reward for organizing a closet or deep cleaning a couch. Instead there was the deep spiritual grace of a seed planted within my own heart. God had begun to move me on from service which feels good in the moment to service with no noticeable emotional reward here on earth.

That being said, God will not be outdone in generosity. It was so incredibly fulfilling to see how quickly you can make a strong connection with these kids in the span of just two days. By the end of the day in Tuesday (the first day we spent in the classroom) I felt that I had just survived a day in a warzone, but by the end of the day on Wednesday I had earned the nickname ‘Uncle Papi’ from a student who wouldn’t even talk to me the day before. Having only had two days in the classroom, and five altogether I’m left wanting more, but that itself is a blessing. I can put that desire to good use by taking it home with me, along with all the lessons I’ve learned, and applying it to whatever opportunities I find to make a gift of myself back home. So I’ll go back to campus prayer for an open heart to receive opportunities to serve and to remember that I am always in the holy presence of God.

Isaac Papineau, Freshman, Catholic Studies Major