Dear Friends,

As promised, two more reflections from members of OLMC Youth Group, on their recent mission trip to D.C.

* * * * * * * *

Growing up in Ridgewood I have always been told that we live in a bubble.  Even though our community is prestigious I think there is always something people can do to help others around them no matter where they are.  As soon as you “pop” the bubble, you get a new perspective.  As I entered the camp it was as if I never left.  It was a different time and different people surrounded me, but the purpose was still the same, to come and help those who needed it in order to build the kingdom of God.  Now that sounds pretty intense and one would think we wouldn’t be able to build His whole kingdom in just a week.  Our first day of service came and I walked into the site and passed one of the doors and I took a glance inside and saw these energetic kids.  I made quick eye contact with this overly excited girl and she screamed “Matt” and the door closed.  I went back to get info on our assignments and then one of the adults poked me on the back to turn around and there in the hallway was the girl who had screamed my name, the same one I had become friends with last year.  She came up to me and gave me a big hug, and that’s when I realized building God’s Kingdom that week wouldn’t be as difficult as I imagined.  By coming back we had already changed the lives of many, and we were able to see the change we made last year.  It was time to do the same this year, time to make a difference and teach them as much as we could.  As we left the camp on the last day I knew that we made the impact that we needed to on all the kids.  Throughout our service we had influenced each other as well.  It is amazing how much change can affect people, and as you serve you don’t only change others, but yourself as well. 

Matt Hurley

* * * * * * * *

What I experienced on Mission was unlike any other.  Although we could not actually see the conditions these kids lived in, we knew they were unstable through their actions and behavior.  I can almost speak for every teen that, not only did we impact these kids’ lives, but they also impacted ours.  In Youth Group we talk about building God’s Kingdom on earth.  This does not necessarily mean preaching His words to the public, but you can build the Kingdom through your actions.  I witnessed God’s kingdom being built through my actions and every other teen’s actions.  These kids were attention deprived; they had no one to look up to, and did not have much guidance in their lives.  I worked with the 1st and 2nd grade group and you could tell how much they looked up to you.  Everyday, as we helped these kids, they would smile and laugh in joy.  We helped guide them by teaching them proper manners, and what is right and wrong, and how to respect one another.  There was an obvious change from kids who thought punching one another was normal; to saying I’m sorry, please and thank you.

I think the greatest lesson all of our teenagers can take home is to learn how to appreciate things.  Some of us, myself included hate the attention our parents give us.  To the kids, they don’t even receive the attention to decide whether they hate it or like it.  We dread going to school everyday to read and write.  These kids beg to read books with us.  Some of us hate the lunches our mothers pack for us for lunch.  To these kids, our lunches are amazing compared to their simple lunch everyday, which they do not get to choose from.  We receive several toys a year to our pleasure, which may last only a month or two.  These kids may not receive toys like ours, and if they do, I’m sure they’d appreciate it much more than us.  Overall, we teenagers have experienced life from a completely different perspective, a perspective that makes us think about our lives more, and how we have to appreciate every single thing because there are people out in the world who wish they had what we have. 

Matt Giancristofaro

* * * * * * * *

I hope these reflections open all our eyes to see the many ways in which God is calling this parish community here at Mount Carmel to be more active and engaging in bringing God’s Kingdom into reality in our world.  God bless these teenagers and

God bless all,
Fr. Ron