By distributing a hot meal to a person experiencing homelessness at a local food kitchen, senior Nikita John grows a deeper understanding of the power of following Jesus’s commandment to care for one’s neighbor.
Upon graduation, students are required to complete at least 80 service hours. According to Campus Ministry Director Bill Creach, this number was designed for students to build deeper connections with members of the community and find God through humble good deeds. Half of the service hours completed our under the “works of mercy“ category which are fulfilled by helping people face-to-face.
“It’s important to help keep score for a freshman volleyball game,” Creach said. “It’s important to help out on back-to-school night, but I think it’s most important to help people who need help the most. Those are the ones who have less or are experiencing hardship, the people Jesus told us to help.”
The approved “corporal works of mercy” list includes a variety of organizations that work to enhance the lives of those in need. By pushing students to experience acts of service outside their comfort zone, John credits volunteering at a food kitchen for helping her build connections with people she wouldn’t have encountered otherwise.
“I’ve met all sorts of personalities on the other side of the counter,” John said. “Many of them say ‘God bless you’ when they are handed their tray, and all I can think of is, if God allowed me to do this, I am already blessed. That person in need could have been Jesus, and it’s a good idea to treat Him at the homeless shelter the same way I’d have treated Him if He showed up at my house in a golden chariot.”
Though serving others alone inspires much growth, junior Joseph Charles was particularly impacted by attending the annual spring break West Virginia mission trip with his classmates.
West Virginia helped me build community with the people I go to school with and showed me just how fortunate I really am,” Charles said. “My group went to this old lady named Donna‘s house. She was getting a little bit old for her stairs, so we built her a ramp so she could get to her front yard and her car a lot easier.”
Charles and John agreed that building relationships rooted in a love for serving others is a good path to fulfilling friendships.
Volunteering in groups definitely makes light work, and it’s not a bad idea to spend time with people you like while doing good work,” John said. “It makes the time go by faster, and bonding with other volunteers is quite fun.”
The campus ministry team and theology department provide various service opportunities for students to gain hours, each year, trying to get more students to participate. Junior theology teacher Patricia Arnold passes her meaning of service onto her students. “service gives us an opportunity to be like Christ,” Arnold said. “Especially what Jesus said about serving the least of our brothers and sisters, taking care of those who are not being taken care of.”
Arnold says students initially serve because somebody made them like a parent or teacher, but then they realize that it is more fulfilling to give than to receive.
“When I look at the number of hours, being volunteered, certain students have well over what they need and are still going out,” Arnold said. “Those students seem passionate and when I offer opportunities and they sign up for them, it’s clear that they care about serving others, not just checking off a box.”
Students are prepared to take the sentiment of service. They have learned and strive to continue it in their future career paths. Senior Jayden Reyes attributes her time spent volunteering at St. Mary’s food kitchen to wanting to help more people on a larger scale.
“I love how hands-on it is,” Reyes said. “I enjoy cooking, and I feel the good spirit from everyone every time I help. It’s made me want to eventually start my own nonprofit organization to help those who are in need. Seeing the young children made me realize how fortunate I am and want to pass it along.”
John uses community service to prepare for her entrance into the medical field. By volunteering at Belton Region Medical Center’s emergency room, oncology facility, lab and kitchen, she furthered her ambitions in making protecting and connecting with people her purpose.
“At first, I joined their staff because I wanted some exposure to the medical field, and they were the only person in the area excepting minors my age, but I soon grew to love the environment,” John said. “Most of although, I enjoy the ‘forgotten’ jobs around the place, it reminds me that there is dignity and importance in the little things.”
As Christmas approaches, an emphasis on giving is put into the season with the annual schoolwide, Don Bosco Red Bag fundraiser. Each herd is in charge of buying presents for a different family, sparking school-wide participation. Charles appreciates how the community comes together to support hard-working people.
“I like that we are helping out a family in need,” Charles said. “Knowing that with our contributions we affect our Christmas, and that will mean a lot to them. I feel like my heart grows because it has an amazing impact on people and you really see how grateful they are.” Wrapping gifts and making donations are some of John’s favorite school traditions. Giving to the same family for three years in a row added a personal connection as she watched the two kids grow up.
“As an added, plus, that family brings an entire her together,” John said. “We are all working for the same cause and loving it. It adds to the sense of community we’ve been building here. When it comes to charity, the more the merrier.”
In the spirit of helping others, Creach emphasizes the small acts of kindness that come from an attitude of service are why getting into the practice is so important.
“Our first giving or Christmas party the execs suck around and clean up in the commons,” Creach said. “It was a mess, skittles and trash all over the place. We didn’t announce at the time that they had to stick around. They just stayed and helped, and that’s become kind of a tradition for the student leaders. They don’t do it because they’re told to. They do it because they know they should as leaders.”
In Pope John Paul II’s quote, Arnold finds the meaning of service: “The more ready you are to give yourself to God into others, the more you discover the authentic meaning of life.“ John finds significance in the expression. “Do to others as you would have them do unto you.” While community service is not strictly Catholic, John values how the church draws attention to its ties with Jesus.
“My faith definitely plays a role in my wanting to serve,” John said. “I like to think I’m doing to others what God would do for me in a heartbeat. I could very well be that person in need one day.”
