East LA Day 2 and 3, 2017
Hola, bienvendios!
Better late than ever we have arrived! East L.A. we love your culture and community, but we can do without the California traffic! We started our journey with authentic Mexican food at Yeya’s (can only be said with a sassy Ya-Ya!). Right off the bat we immersed ourselves immediately into the culture and joined our host families for the very first night! Each family took in 2-4 of us Carroll kids and provided shelter, food, and a loving Latino environment. Some of us were welcomed into the household with Arroz Con Leche, which is a rice milk hot drink/pudding, some went shopping, others watched movies, but one thing in common between each household was that there was conversation. The language barrier was very real. However; it forced us to realize that being communion with others does not necessarily require in depth conversation. There was a realization of appreciation for one’s physical presence and efforts to laugh and translate. Despite having a language barrier, the emotions of excitement, willingness, and genuine kindness were very apparent between us and our host families.
Our first full day in L.A. was spent at Delores Mission School. The children began their day in prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, reflections of the weekend, and a schedule for the week. Each of us were joined a classroom, and we spent half of the day learning with students and assisting the teachers. Papers were graded, math problems were solved, reading took place, and of course there was recess (still our favorite subject). Most of us echoed the excitement and strange reality to time travel back to elementary school and junior high. Also, a great talk with Vice President Melissa brought to our attention some of the struggles that she sees throughout the school and community. The education of these children is effected by home environment, gang violence, and the uncertainty of their futures. Melissa displayed compassion and brought wisdom to our conversation. Her goal to educate and create strong community members is lived through the teachers at the school. Melissa helped shed light on the challenges the children face and explained how strongly Delores Mission is involved in these children’s lives. For example, the teachers will walk the children home if a parent is unable to or if it unsafe for the child to walk alone.
After school we served with Impacto, which is an afterschool program offered for the children at Delores Mission. We joined in snack time, helped the kids finish homework, played games outside until the sun went down. Many of us appreciated being kids again and found that a lot of relationships can be built around good, clean fun!
After a full day with the kiddos, we broke off and went to our host families. Each family had prepared a meal for each of us. Tostadas, taquitos, enchiladas, and pupusa have been engraved into our daily diets and there is no complaining here! Each family displayed such generosity, excitement, and joy to share a meal with us and matched our level of appreciation. It is a rare occasion that we are welcomed into a strangers home with such hospitality and grace. It is a blessing that these four families said yes to expanding their family time and we are so very grateful for their actions.
Molly-Kate and Katie
East LA Day 1, 2017
Saturday Morning. An early wake up. So early, that many members were disoriented. Without the sun being up, the phone tree wasn’t able to grow and metaphorically photosynthesize. At 5:30 however, other headlighteers picked up the slack and began making calls of their own with varying levels of joy ranging from songs to confusion to apologies. All in all, everyone was excited and raring to go. The gang clambered into the cars. Six in one and six in the other. Sleep crept back in on some members almost immediately, and sickness overtook others, but as we breathed in the Idaho air, the whole crew was ready. In both “mom rockets” a game of questions was held. Everyone was asked their favorite superpower, who their confirmation sponsor would be if it could only be a member of the current Carroll student body, the best conversation they’d had this week and why, what their dream job would be, what would they do if money wasn’t an issue, how they’d met each person in the car, and many more. For many of these questions, there was a silence that filled the car. Each person had to think and was forced to examine just what these individual questions meant to them as we broached these subjects of personal faith and hopes and dreams. How God is active in our lives and what does he want from us. Are we being called down the right path and with the right people and how would we know. As the questions and answers flowed back and forth, the conversation heated up, and the bonding tightened. The jams were cranked and “Polaroid” by Imagine Dragons emerged as the unofficial theme song of the trip. Breakfast consisted largely of the numerous snacks in the cars and lunch was Jimmy Johns in Ogden, Utah. We enjoyed the fabulous food and people of Ogden before hitting the road and shuffling the cars once again. We met up with a beautiful family of two brothers and their kids and wives. They had so much love within them. Even the little ones who couldn’t speak. They touched us to a point that for many of us later that night, they were the high point of our long car ride. We really felt blessed to be around them and share our meal with them.
We hit the grand state of Utah late in the day. Known for its Mormons, beehives, and Jazz. We showed up to mass five minutes before starting. The perfect amount of time for every vanmate to relieve themselves in the Parish bathrooms. The mass and sunset upon conclusion were both absolutely gorgeous. If there was a moment for many of us where we saw God that day, it was in that moment. The mass was done flawlessly with the priest bringing up a killer Lenten homily, and the parishioners being so nice to us and offering us books to take with us from their tiny tow. When we left the church is when we saw it. A gorgeous array of reds and oranges splayed across the sky and each cloud sprayed with bright pink hues. The peace and feeling of wonder at the grandeur of God’s goodness that many of us felt in that moment was one many of us wouldn’t forget. We made our way to the local shopping mart and happened upon some chicken and pasta with some salad fixings for our dinner in Bryan Head. Bryan Head was a beautiful ski resort tucked into the side of a mountain with a spacious condo with too many TVs. The meal was incredible with very touching centerpieces and very lively “happys and crappys”. These happys and their following crappys really touched on the day for us and the moments we shared. It allowed us to live in solidarity with each other. Learning what each of the people on the trip valued in their day. Where they found joy, and where they moments of desolation. Those who did not cook the dishes, washed them, and those who did cook the dishes, lounged in the living room after dinner. We had our daily recap of where we saw Jesus and readied our bodies for the night and the day ahead. After all, we had gotten lost on our way to our room. Who knew what misadventures tomorrow might hold? And what did today really mean for us? For most, it was an excellent beginning to our trip, an affirmation that we’d made the right choice in coming, and a hint at what God had in store for us in the future.
Jack
Denver Day 2, 2017
Greetings! #Day 2 – This is Ben and Kelsey blogging again and this time we are in Denver (not Chicago)! Today started with Mass and immediately going straight into street ministry for the morning. After lunch, we had an in depth talk about prayer, followed by some debriefing of the street ministry, free time (a.k.a shower time because when you sleep with 40 other people it’s a necessity), a delicious Ritz cracker and chicken casserole dinner (so much better that it sounds) and an epic game of Dodge Sock (Dodgeball game with sock balls – no money = no actual balls). We finished the day with prayer as a community with Christ in the City!
Kelsey’s Reflection:
In the Eyes of Our Friends
Year two at CIC (Christ in The City) and things are still cray cray in Denva! The good kind of cray!! Full of the holy spirit kind of cray!! It’s fair to say that at this point in my service immersion experiences “the uncomfortable” is no stranger. It’s less about learning how to “push against my comfort zone” and going even more deeper in leaning into the shoes of “the other”. What this means for me is truly entering into the reality of are friends on the street, learning how to take on their realities with love through listening and conversation. As they talk about their lives (or don’t talk about anything) I learn so much about the story they are trying to tell in their action and words… if people are willing to stop, listen, and recognize they have a story at all.
Today we walked around Capitol Hill in the middle of downtown Denver. As we started walking in our street ministry route, Dillion and I walking in front of the group both made quick eye contact with a man who was sitting alone. This connection drew us in and we approached him to start a conversation. As we introduced ourselves he stood up and became more engaged. We quickly learned that he was from Ethiopia, his accent was thick and it was obvious that our conversation might be a little challenging, to say the least. He talked to us about his life, about his family back home. He talked about love continuously throughout our conversation and how he longs to have healthy relationships. He also talked about the loss of all his teeth and how he would smile if he had dentures so he could share more love. Taryn from our group then told him “Well, you smile with your eyes!”… As cliché as this might sound, it was so true with this man. This man, who society would think would be so miserable, and unhappy, and not full of life… was full of more life than ever expected.
Even though for half of the conversation we could not fully understand what he was saying at all, what Taryn said was so true. It didn’t matter that we had a little bit of a language barrier, it didn’t matter that I had to strain to listen to this man speak – his eyes told the whole story. His eyes smiled and completely captivated you while speaking. When you looked into this man’s eyes you knew that God was there. There was no doubt in my bones that I was staring into the eyes of Christ. And as he looked back at each of us, it was this moving experience, almost to tears. The joy and love that radiated out from just his eyes as he spoke about his life, it challenged me to want to examine my “inner tabernacle”. The eyes are like windows to the soul, even though we struggled to hear through words, everything was communicated through his eyes and how powerful that gaze of love can be in both connecting and challenging those who are beholding the gaze!
Ben’s Reflection:
Dodge sock, rosaries, late night dance parties and prayer have all been major parts of this week so far, but the moment that I will never forget was the first time I engaged with the homeless by myself. Standing alone, my group engaged in other conversations, I quickly realized that the hardest part of meeting with the homeless was the first step. I would have to engage with people that live in a totally different reality from my own. I would have to force myself to sit amongst prostitutes, alcoholics and drug addicts tweaked out on meth or cocaine. These people could be dangerous and seek only to manipulate me, but there was a reason that I was here. There was a reason for God to put me on this last-minute trip to Denver, Colorado and to meet with these people in their reality. I sat down at a table and tried to introduce myself. It felt awkward. Why on earth would these people want to talk to me? I sat before them in a nice winter jacket, a nice haircut and an unblemished face. Yet they engaged. Soon after introducing myself these people sought me out to engage in conversation. We talked about everything from why there are homeless in Denver to stories about our lives. One guy even told me that he did cocaine with Robin Williams in 2003. Was he telling the truth? Maybe. Was it an interesting story? No doubt. Meeting these people in their own world is not just eye opening, but has changed my perspective on the homeless. These people become lonely no different than we do. Much of what they seek is to be acknowledged and accepted. If we can give them the dignity they deserve we can see how little we truly differ from them.
Denver Day 1, 2017
Day 1:
Today was our first day here in Denver! We’re staying with a missionary group called Christ in the City. We woke up early and had morning prayer together in the chapel. Then we all carpooled over to St. Catherine of Sienna Church for Mass. It was great to be able to pray together and center our day around Jesus.
After a few talks and some training on ministry with Christ in the City, we got to go on our first street walk of the week! Christ in the City’s mission is to walk around and talk to people who live on the streets, restoring their dignity. A simple conversation or smile can go a long way for people who are often neglected and overlooked.
Joc’s experience: While walking 16th street mall in downtown Denver, we encountered a young man named Austin. After talking with him for a little, he began to open up and share some personal stories from his past with us. The most impactful moment talking with Austin was when he expressed his gratitude for life and for the people who stopped to talk to him. He told us it was nice to have conversation with others and to be the center of attention instead of laughed at, ignored, or forgotten which commonly happens. This was my first experience walking the streets and really talking to and interacting with people I normally wouldn’t. It was great to have the opportunity to talk to others and be able to pray with people.
Sav’s experience: This is my second time coming for spring break to work with Christ in the City. I got assigned to walk around Capitol Hill. Within three feet of walking down the street, our group was approached by a man named Randy. He was asking where the nearest Wendy’s was. We got to talking and he started opening up about his current situation and some of his memories from the past. He said he lost his wife and that is one of the reasons he is not close to Christ right now. When we asked what made him smile and brought joy to his day, he couldn’t think of anything. It was pretty chilly outside so we all walked over to McDonalds together. Randy bought himself something to eat and also bought our group leader a large coffee. This shows how giving this man was even though he had so little. Near the end of our conversation, we were all laughing together. Randy told us that he thought of something that made him smile. He said that seeing us and knowing the work that we do helping others, made him happy.
Today’s homily was the perfect beginning of our service this week. Matthew 25 says, “what you did not do for one of these least ones, you did not do for me.” We were able to see Jesus in everyone we encountered on the streets today. We are both excited to continue meeting new people and to learn how to truly love until it hurts.
Peace and love,
The flock of Sigls
(Savanna and Jocelyn)
Day 4 Browning 2017
The roar of 5:30 am alarms and the painful chill of negative 28 degrees greeted us on day four in Browning. However, despite the cold or the temptation of “just 5 more minutes” we were eager to return to the school. The highlights- Mountains and Rap.
After a fierce game of basketball and another brutal loss for us immersion students, we dispersed to our classes. While Sav and Krista took on 4th, Courtenay and Connor joined 5th, and Zef and Sari braved 7th, Alex and I put on our gansta faces as we joined the 6th graders for an epic rap battle. The class was assigned a poetry assignment, where they had to design a rap about their friend using similes and metaphors. However, instead of the typical roasting seen in rap battles, this 6th grade showdown consisted of compliments. The assignment was engaging, genius, and fun……the catch? Alex and I had to perform the example rap for the ENTIRE 6th grade class! Now, let’s make something clear- when the real Slim Shady is asked to stand it ain’t us. However, despite our internal dread to rap to a bunch of 6th graders, we pulled through and the students went wild!! The room filled with Ooooooohhhhhhsss, gasps, and laughs as we “busted” our rhymes. This lyrical performance written by none other than the amazing Dan Thies is as follows:
Fallon: Oki, hola, Ciao and how do you do
I’m loving your red kicks, them’s some sassy shoes
Oh and have I told you, you look nice today
Wearing your khakis and flannel in a classy way
Ya Well you may know this
Many call you the Freshest
And more say you’re the big fish
In this infinite sea
Alex: Oh hey there Ms. Machado
How did I ever not know
That you can make the words flow
Like salmon of Capastrano
And here I stand so humbled by your lyric masterpiece
You’re more talented and kind than our language can unleash
And girl I seen you ball’n
Your shots are always fall’n
Curry and James be call’n
Because they know you bring the heat
After our “attempt” to be the next Chance the Rapper, the students followed suit and went above and beyond. Compliments were thrown, and “mics” were dropped as the students slammed their notebooks to the floor after their epic performances!! I was completely blown away by their talent and as smiles reached ear to ear and laughter filled the air I was reminded that joy can only be received by letting go. This reflection of surrender continued as we left the classrooms and headed towards the mountains.
After hiding for three days behind darkness and cloud cover, the Glacier mountains finally showed their faces and we seized the opportunity. We drove in silence as a row of towering white peaks challenged the sky to our left and an ocean of blues and pinks huddled against a full moon to our right. A winter stillness captivated the vast open as we drove nestled between sky and mountain. Looking back, I can’t help but ponder- how frequently have I been in this situation? Surrounded by beauty, and yet I choose the road. So often, God offers us little sunsets or mountains in our days, our weeks, and our lives and yet, instead of taking the trail less traveled, we choose the road designed by the world; we choose comfort. On “comfort” road, we can safely glance at the plans God placed around us, such as that beautiful sunset, but we choose to keep driving because we fear the unknown. However, after spitting rhymes and beholding God’s beautiful creation, I realized that only by letting go to this “unknown” can joy ever truly be received. Rapping was a huge detour from “My Plan” and way outside my comfort zone, but through my surrender I met joy, laughter, and 11 smiling students eager to learn. Overall, life should be more than just a glance at the mountains, but an adventure through them. Because, in the end, His plan is ALWAYS way more beautiful than we could ever possibly dream.
Fallon Machado
Day 3 Browning 2017
So today the boys started off the morning like any other. Thanking God for all he does and freezing our toes off taking showers. Riveting I know. Breakfast, however, was on a whole nother level. Zef and Krista made French toast, hash browns, and sausage that could rival even the best breakfast line cooks, or at least it did in my humble opinion.
After eating and praying of course, we all packed into the cars to drive over to the school. This time the roads were quite exciting. There had been three to four inches of snowfall overnight and it was all, as some of my colleagues say, “sick pow dude.” This “sick pow” meant that if you passed an oncoming semi (we passed 5) that you were going to be flying blind for several seconds. Yes, the mini blizzards following the semi-trucks made normally easy drive quite invigorating. Thankfully we all arrived safely.
I was very excited to tackle another day with these wonderful children. What I think is remarkable about these children is that they have so much love and so much joy that I can’t help but have a great time with them. Even though today I spent a large portion with Fallon correcting long division, I still loved every minute. This also lead to quite the shenanigans later.
Fallon and I were also able to help some kids out one on one with some math. It was cool to see how eager they were to learn once some of the distractions of the classroom were eliminated. Later we got to give more one on one help with some reading and social studies, but we were hardly useful. He handled all of it on his own, rarely needing help.
Near the end of the school day we had the opportunity to go to Mass with the community. It was a beautiful service and it moved the hearts of all of us. The sign of peace is still something that amazes me. The people really make it a point to make sure you know you are loved. Not only that but complete strangers are hugging, how neat is that?!
After Mass we were blessed to listen to Olivia Davis talk to us about the realities of the history of the Blackfeet people and where they are now. It was a real eye opener to the injustices that are still being performed on the reservations, not just from the government to the tribe, but inside the tribe as well. Being ostracized from both communities for being “too Indian” for the white community and “too white” for the Indian community, Olivia was able to show us some of the struggles of these people. She really hammered home for me that things do not get done by just hoping they get done. The government injustices she described are not something that happen overnight and will not be fixed overnight either. What she did leave us with is the realism of the community. The Blackfeet are brutally honest and they are not bad people. There may have been a few bad eggs but the people are loving and welcoming if you give them a chance and they should be compensated for the injustices of the past.
Remember that long division part? Here is the shenanigans, but there is a little back story. For Language Arts Mr. Palaccio asked Fallon and I to create a rap battle about each other, but we could only say nice things about each other. What a nightmare. I am not a poet and everyone knows it (now). So we went off to the office to try and write something that would not make us look too foolish. It was about 20 minutes of nervous shifting and laughing at the awful lyrics we would have to perform. Luckily, they ran out of time and we did not need to duke it out, but that was not the end of it. Dan got word and just ran with it. So here is the rap that he came up with I hope you enjoy.
–Alex Broyles
Welcome to Broyles time
Hot from on high
I roast long hand division like a savory numeric pi
I got the black wavy locks
Teeth like chalk
And I be dividing digits like Jesus did flocks
Of goats and sheep
Count em
Little Bo Peep
Cause when I pick up the lead I’m gonna bring the heat
Ticongeroga na-na-na-number two “hoooooo”
Breaking down the numerals like my Jeep Grand Cherekoooo
Day 2 Browning 2017
This morning we woke up, ate breakfast and prayed together as a group. We listened to the song Give Me Your Eyes by Brandon Heath as part of our prayer. I loved starting my morning this way because it helped me go into the day ready to totally immerse myself into a new environment. I was open-hearted and excited to go to De La Salle School and meet the kids I would be working with for the week. The windy drive was dark, but as soon as we reached the top of the last hill the lights of Browning illuminated our way. We drove towards the twinkles, eager to open our eyes to what the Holy Spirit had for us to see.
Unsure about what the day would bring, we drove over on the snowy roads to the school. We assembled in the gym with all of the kids for morning prayer and announcements. Right away I felt very welcomed by the entire De La Salle community. It was very evident that the Blackfeet people possessed a great gift of love. I then met up with the fourth graders (Sav) and fifth graders (Court) which is the class I am primarily working with this week. Just after one day, I truly feel that these kids are some of the most generous and kind-hearted people that I’ve met. For me (Court) it was incredible to visit the same students I worked with last year. I immediately recognized their growth and my heart was filled with joy as they remembered who I was.
We had the great gift of listening to a high school junior Blackfeet speak about her experience living on the reservation. Her insight was eye-opening and she was articulate and passionate. Through her, the Holy Spirit opened our eyes to the brokenhearted, the ones that are within our reach; giving us hope for the ones forgotten, giving us eyes that not only look, but SEE.
So far, I have learned a lot about Blackfeet history and culture, which I was unfamiliar with before coming on this trip. I’m starting to understand how generous a people they are. By immersing myself into their culture and getting to know the kids at the school, I can appreciate all the love they have to give. The Blackfeet spirituality is inspiring to me in so many ways. Through all of the brokenness that the Blackfeet experience daily, they continue to move forward with hope. I am learning how to carry my own crosses by growing in relationship with the Blackfeet people. Even after this first day, I know that I am loved deeply by each of the people I encounter here in Browning. I can feel my heart being overwhelmed with God’s love and hope that the kids I’m working with can feel this love through me. I’m excited to keep diving deeper and pushing myself beyond my comfort zone.
Love, Sav and Court
Day 1 Browning 2017
The 8 of us arrived in Browning after a placid 3 hour drive in the morning. We were earlier than usual, so we went to the grocery store before morning Mass at Little Flower Parish in Browning. In the super market parking lot, the differences of reservation kicked in immediately when about a half a dozen stray dogs ran over to us, a commonality on the reservation. Immediately we realized how incredibly welcoming everyone was, this really meant a lot to us all. At 10:30 we attending holy Mass with Fr Ed Kohler, the celebrant, who was very grateful and happy that we were there, and the parish extended a special blessing to us, which we were humbled by.
We then checked in with John Ficaro, a La Sallian volunteer who teaches and directs the immersion experience program. John described to us some statistics, demographics, and history of the Blackfeet people. Upon arrival at the Holy Family mission where we were staying, we unpacked all the groceries and settled in. Many of us went to the famous Buffalo Jump for a frigid, snowy hike- that was full of spirituality and fun all the while. In the evening, we had dinner at Brother Dale’s home next door. There we met other La Sallian volunteers who teach, other students from California, and Sr. Pat, a beloved sister of mercy and science teacher at the school. Later that night we all agreed that even on our first day in Browning our Lord spoke to us, and revealed himself in the Blackfeet people. This is a special place that we are excited and ready to be immersed and serve in any capacity we are able.
–
Conor Coutts
Day 5 McAllen 2016
Buenos diaz!
Ximena and Cody will be dropping some knowledge on ya today, live from McAllen, TX, in the lobby of the Hotel of the Basilica of Our Lady of San Juan Del Valle. On this wonderful Thursday, we loaded up the Momma rockets (vans) and drove over to Sacred Heart Parish in McAllen for a Spanish mass at 8:15.
Even though it wasn’t in English, our Catholic mass is structured enough that we always knew what part of the mass that we were at, and tried our best to follow along.
After every mass at Sacred Heart, the community always came over and thanked us for being there, as well as checked in on how our week was going. They were very happy to pray with us. Their genuine interest in our work, and their joy in celebrating faith with a group of young people made us feel very at home and welcome.
We then transitioned over to the refugee center, where we snapped into action with 18 refugees arriving in the 9:30 group. This was the biggest group that we had served so far. By now, everyone had found a place in which they enjoyed serving, whether it was walking with a family through the process and picking out new clothes for them, or maintaining the showers outside. We all bounced between these and other duties throughout the day, eventually welcoming 29 refugees with an enthusiastic Bienvenidos!
It was very eye opening to see that most of the refugees coming through were a parent with one or several children. We thought that it was very interesting to compare the common perception of immigrants coming and taking American jobs, when most of the immigrants we have met this week were under the age of 21, and unable to work. It was incredibly humbling to listen to their stories about the violence, poverty, and injustices they were leaving behind, and the hardships that they had along the way. Coming here from Central America, these families had journeys lasting anywhere between 17 and 24 days, and they had to walk for a great part of it.
At the end of our last day here with the refugees, we got to literally walk with them for a short part of this journey. The head of the center, whose name is Eli, asked our group to accompany the refugees to the bus station, about three or four blocks down an alleyway from the church. We walked amongst the parents carrying their children through the darkened alley, and it was a very powerful moment for all of us, because it almost felt like we were getting a glimpse into what it was like for them to walk into the unknown. It allowed us to imagine ourselves walking with them in their previous journey, though we knew it could not compare to it at all to it. Moving alongside a smiling father holding his sleeping infant and a mother clutching her daughter’s arm with loving concern amidst the silhouettes of the rest of the traveling family of refugees pushed down the walls of life that may have been separating us, and let us step into their reality for a brief, but beautiful, moment.
There are really no words to describe what we saw and experienced, but it was a love and understanding which we won’t forget.
Afterword, as we were leaving Sacred Heart, Red Leader (Dan) spotted a group of people worshiping under a big awning in another alleyway. We quickly stopped, piled out, and hustled over to join them. They greeted us with hugs, kisses, and hallelujahs, and welcomed us into their praise and worship. After clapping along to “When the Saints Go Marching In,” we decided to depart to more hugs, kisses, and hallelujahs. What we thought was going to be a Mariachi street performance, turned into an awesome experience of faith on the streets of McAllen.
Oh by the way, things got a little tongue-and-cheek today when Eli slow-cooked a cow tongue and cheek for us in his Dallas Cowboys crockpot. We both preferred the cheek, though both were authentically delicioso; one of the many new experiences in our time down here in Texas, USA.
In Tar’s words, it was a knockout day, and we’re really excited for all that the Lord has left in store for us on this trip. But for now, as NSYNC so deftly put it, “You may hate me, but it ain’t no lie, baby bye bye bye, BYE BYE!”
Day 4 McAllen 2016
The Morning was packed with goodness on all accounts. We started out by going to Sacred Heart, but there were so many volunteers that we decided to let the other groups get a chance to encounter the richness that our friends, the refugees bring. After leaving Sacred Heart we went back to the Basilica and did Stations of the Cross. The Basilica has life-sized statues of the stations on a walkway that spans all the way around the Basilica. This gave a lot of people a whole new view of Jesus. It was different being able to see how the size can relate Jesus to us. All too often we only see Jesus on the cross or in a painting, and not really up close. Being able to see the facial expressions made the feelings of Jesus present, and we were able to encounter Him in a whole new way. Having to walk between the stations was a way to be with Christ on His walk so that we may join him and take up our own cross. We were able to connect the struggles and injustices that the refugees have faced with the trials of Jesus in his crucifixion. From there, we had lunch and went back to Sacred Heart.
While the weather outside was stormy, the atmosphere in Sacred Heart was anything but gloomy. We were able to spend time with volunteers from other groups and share the experiences we have had with the refugees. We all enjoyed being able to help in any way possible, from cleaning showers and playing with the children to going to get food for the refugees. We were in awe of Eli, who is the director of the center, as he made the refugees brief stay as comfortable as possible. He sends each group off by carefully explaining what they can expect in their journey to their destinations to be with their loved ones. He wishes them a safe journey, and expresses his desire to hear of their safe and successful journeys. His compassion and dedication was evident in these interactions. Being able to understand Eli’s devotion was simply amazing. Truly a blessed Soul!
Sincerely,
Taylor and John
Carroll College Campus Ministry 