St. Mary’s Summer Service Experiences for High School Students

This summer St. Mary’s Youth Ministry is offering three opportunities for weeklong service experiences for high school students. Groups travel, work, pray and live as a community for a week while offering their time and talent to others in need. These experiences involve a preparation period during which the groups: build community, fundraise, and share prayer. The experiences are:

Habitat for Humanity, Eastman, GA. July 10-18, 2004. Last summer a group of 12 traveled by van to live at and work with Habitat for Humanity of Dodge County (HFHDC). The group assisted HFHDC in its mission to build affordable homes for those in need by working on construction projects. We also received the generous hospitality of the local community as we visited their homes and enjoyed their home-cooked meals. Leon’s ribs were awesome! We also visited local churches for a rousing Gospel service; traveled to Americas, GA to visit the Global Village at the Habitat International Headquarters; and spent an afternoon at the beach. Accommodations are provided at the HFHDC dormitory. You must be 16 years old by July 11, 2004.

Camp Sunshine, Casco, ME July 25-30, 2004. For the past several years, young adults from St. Mary’s Parish have volunteered at Camp Sunshine in Casco, ME. Camp Sunshine is a summer retreat for families with terminally ill children. This summer we will help families affected by the tragedy of September 11th. There are many volunteer opportunities available such as child care, kitchen support, and recreational leadership, just to name a few. Accommodations are very similar to hotel style living. Three meals are provided daily and there is plenty of evening entertainment. All volunteers must have completed their first year of high school. Volunteering at Camp Sunshine is a very rewarding experience emotionally as well as spiritually.

Young Neighbors In Action (YNIA), Worcester, MA June 27-July 3, 2004. YNIA provides faith-based, urban service opportunities for high school students throughout the country. Students will live at Oakhurst Retreat Center in Whitinsville with other high school students from all over the US. During the day each group does service work throughout the area and at night the YNIA staff facilitate activities that foster community and deepen faith. You must have completed your first year of high school.

Student leaders are needed to help organize and plan the experiences. In addition, adult parishioners are needed to help staff the trips. If you are interested in participating in one of these experiences or want to learn more contact Evan Cuthbert: 508.925.7529 cuthberte@stmarysparish.org. The deadline for sign ups is February 18, 2004. A $50 deposit is due at that time.