| On July 11th five young people – Matt
Lynch, Jessica Lynch, Tommy Joyce, Jason Bernadeni
and Patrick
Sullivan together with their leader – Richard
Harrington headed towards
Worcester, MA to the “Young Neighbors
in Action” program site. “Young Neighbors
in Action” is more than just a week of doing service.
It is a service-learning experience. The group spent
the week helping at Mercy Centre, a program of Catholic
Charities, servicing individuals with disabilities. Our
young people worked side by side with these individuals
and engaged in their cooking skills program, painting
projects, basic computers etc. A highlight for our young
people at this site was a piano performance by a blind
client. Catholic Charities in Worcester County has personally
thanked the parish for this groups’ “kindness,
compassion and interaction they demonstrated with the
people with development disabilities.”
There were several other groups from different parts
of the United States there also working at other nearby
sites. Each group had the responsibility of organizing
prayer for the day – morning prayer and evening
prayer. The groups not only talked about their work
site but even get involved with skits, roll plays etc.
Scriptural reflections were also a part of the process
and there were specific teachings from the. Catholic
Conference on Social Justice. The groups were challenged
with the question – How can I integrate this
experience in my every day life?
Another special highlight for the week was “cultural
night.” Our group went to a nearby parish that
was Puerto Rican and enjoyed a special meal prepared
by the community. It was great! It was a fun night
complete with music and dancing!
Everyone that went, wanted to go back! This was truly
a unique week of Christian service
that helps participants deepen their commitment to
the call of the gospel to work for justice in our world
today.
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