Four dynamic service events saw teens and youth leaders gather in parishes and social service agencies this summer, showcasing how the young Church is alive in the Diocese.
The annual Mission: Jersey summer service projects took place July 10 in Visitation Church, Brick; July 16 in Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church, Asbury Park; July 22 in Sacred Heart Church, Trenton; and would return Aug. 6 to Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church.
Teen volunteers build raised garden beds July 10 for Seeds of Service at the Mission: Jersey event in Visitation Parish, Brick.
Prayers and icebreakers marked the start of each one-day mission, before the teens moved to service projects in different worksites. Dan Waddington, diocesan director of youth and young adult ministries, joined a dedicated team to design the service days for maximum impact.
“There are things that God puts in our lives to help us see his love and know his love all around us,” Waddington noted. “But they are not just for us to keep for ourselves, but rather he gives them to us so that we can share them with others. And I hope that they’ll leave today feeling like they did something awesome for God.”
Seeds of Service, Brick, was the two dozen teen volunteers assisted with weeding and digging trenches for a community garden to grow vegetables that will later be distributed in the agency’s food pantry. The outreach organization assists the sick and financially struggling.
Part of the July 22 Mission: Jersey service in Sacred Heart Parish included assembling sandwiches for St. Peter’s Food Pantry.
Volunteers assisted in assembling Rosary beads and prepared the property for the upcoming construction of a grotto for a statue of Mary that stands on the grounds of the adjacent Visitation Parish. They also assembled hygiene kits and school supplies packs for local students in need, with often-requested materials from school guidance counselors; the items will be distributed via the parish’s St. Vincent de Paul Society.
Another 26 teens assembled at Sacred Heart Church to focus on the theme “Share Your Heart,” emphasizing the sharing of God-given gifts.
After assembling bags of food sourced from both the Sacred Heart Food Pantry program and the teens’ own contributions, the paper heart messages like “You are loved,” “You are amazing” and “God loves you.” Following the celebration of Mass, the teens made sandwiches for St. Peter’s Food Pantry in Monmouth County and worked on clothing donation drop-offs for El Centro of Catholic Charities, Diocese of Trenton.
“They won’t actually see the people that they take care of,” said Msgr. Dennis Apoldite, Sacred Heart pastor, “but what’s most important is that they’re going to get nourishment from their hands, and I think that’s important for them [and] for the people that [they’re] helping.”
In Asbury Park, some two dozen young Catholics restocked canned goods in The People’s Pantry of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church, assembled snack bags for children who would later visit the pantry, and packs of diapers for the Monmouth County Diaper Bank.
Teens at the Asbury Park Mission: Jersey event July 16 pause from working in The People’s Pantry of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church.
“This is my favorite [service activity],” said Patrick, a rising sophomore in Christian Brothers Academy and parishioner of St. Leo the Great Parish, both Lincroft. “Here you get to interact with people [and] see how happy they are receiving the extra food.”
The day included a short walk to the Jersey Shore Rescue Mission, where, after hearing a testimonial from a once-homeless man who had become a Mission volunteer, the young volunteers cleaned and sanitized cots for those in need of shelter.
In Their Own Words:
[Dan Waddington] was talking about who helps us – the people who love us and those who help us do better in life – and I feel like that will really stick with me.” – Gianna, St. Paul Parish, Princeton I waited the entire month for this … I like helping out people. And it’s going to make a lot of people happy.” – Christopher Tlapa, St. Rose of Lima Parish, Freehold
I understood that it’s not bad to be imperfect, but it’s something you should cherish; over time, giving love to others may hurt you, but it does make you yourself.”– Leah, St. Joseph Parish, Millstone I just like helping people that need it … my friend invited me, and I am glad – and now I want to come back next year!” – Veronica, St. Gabriel Parish, Marlboro
I enjoyed the experience – having fun and helping the community at Seeds of Service. I came here to help … and spread God’s love.” – Aiden, Visitation Parish, Brick
We would think an older person would have it all together, but their hearts are scarred and have lessons they can teach the young … the point is love. You will fill everything with love, regardless of [whether] it’s wrinkled [or] broken.” – Miriam Lopez, mother of Savannah, St. Ann Parish, Lawrenceville
It’s not the food that people necessarily come out for. It’s just human interaction; some of these people … don’t have anybody else to talk to … they get nourishment too from just interacting with other people.” – John DeSantis, business administrator, Sacred Heart Parish Pantry
I hope [the teens] are reminded and challenged that not just on this day, but in every day of their lives, to share God’s love with everyone around them and to serve God by serving others every day.” – Dan Waddington
The Church needs quality Catholic journalism now more than ever. Please consider supporting this work by signing up for a SUBSCRIPTION (click HERE) or making a DONATION to The Monitor (click HERE). Thank you for your support.