They predicted rain for the
week and, of course, it happened! However, it didn’t
change our schedule much. The first day, Monday, the
group spent on the ropes course in Hopkinton, Ma. at
the local YMCA. They spent time in between the rain
drops on the high and low ropes. Last year because of
an electrical storm the group couldn’t go on the
high ropes but this year they had the opportunity. A
good time was had by all and it was a great community
building day.
This year, we added on a few new work sites and most
of the young people found the week more challenging
and physical than last year. We went to the “Wakefield
Estate” in Canton. They also oversee the “Brookwood
Farm” that grows crops for the homeless. The teens
pulled weeds and cleared areas. It was hard work. Another
new place was the “Long Island Shelter Farm.”
The “Serving Ourselves Farm” there produces
25,000 pounds of fresh vegetables and herbs every year
for the poor. The teens also weeded here. Another new
site where one of our teams worked was the “Mass
Hospital in Canton.” The teens helped to clean
classrooms etc. The “South Neighborhood House”
in Boston was still another site where the group helped
to clear out a building and moved furniture etc. to
another location.
Our other usual sites this week included the “Council
on Aging” where the group helped serve the men’s
breakfast, stuff a newsletter and polish the senior
citizens’ nails. On our last day we did a luncheon
for the senior citizens and played a game with them.
We worked at “Cradles to Crayons,” visited
the nuns at “Bethany House” in Framingham,
worked at the “Greater Boston Food Bank”
sorting food, helped at “Quincy Interfaith Social
Services” and planted some flowers for the seniors
at Miller Street and helped wash down their lawn furniture.
Most nights we reflected on what we did that day and
ate pizza together. It was a great week and many of
the sites reported back that our group did an excellent
job. We ended the week with Mass in our new chapel on
Thursday late afternoon.
We thank all the parents of the young people who gave
up their time this week to make this happen. Our parish
should be proud of these young people who not only gave
of themselves but made a difference in so many lives.
Some comments from our young people:
I learned a lot about teamwork on the ropes course.
You can’t do much on your own.
The most rewarding day was the “Greater Boston
Food Bank” because they told us how many people
we fed in a week in those five hours that we worked.
(Lizzy Kelly)
“Cradles to Crayons” was the hardest site
for me. At first it was intimidating but it taught me
to appreciate all that I have. The place where I saw
Jesus the most and my favorite site for the week was
Bethany House. The nuns had a special story to share
and just to see how happy they were as we were visiting
with them was so satisfying.
(Courtney Peterson)
I feel lucky that I had the opportunity to participate
in this week of service. This week taught me how lucky
I am to have so much and how little others have compared
to us.
I will never forget seeing the homeless people at “Long
Island Shelter.” I saw Jesus in the woman that
helps to run the shelter. She taught us by helping the
homeless we were saving their lives. (Christine Murphy)
The sense of community within our group impressed me
immensely. We were all incredibly supportive of each
other regardless of our age. It was our faith that was
the connection. (Kathleen Hill)
When I came to the “Service Plunge” I was
not really looking forward to the community service
and labor. Now I realize that my labor helped people
in need and I am glad that I participated. I learned
that the Greater Boston Food Bank feeds about 83,000
people a day. (Pat Mullen)
When I was working at the “Long Island Shelter”
pulling weeds, I realized that I was helping the homeless.
I saw Jesus everywhere! (Michael Deane)
Before coming to the “Service Plunge,”
I was ignorant when it came to poverty in the greater
Boston area. I often saw homeless people on the streets
but I didn’t realize that whole families were
also homeless. The “Cradles to Crayons”
work site make me think of my childhood. Seeing “Barney”
and “Clifford” as I worked on toys brought
those memories to the surface. Jesus was ever-present
during the week and it made me realize that life is
too short to be selfish. (Joshua Ellis)
The “Service Plunge” really helped me to
deepen my relationship with others, myself and God because
I realized I need to try my hardest to make the world
a better place for others. (Richard Harrington)
This week was very memorable. What struck me at “Cradles
to Crayons” was the woman outside of the building
who was gathering things for her child. The poor are
all around us and sometimes we just don’t notice
that. (Elizabeth Mahon) |
