Westfield Youth Group Returns Home From Service Trip

By PG Ennesser

Members from St. Helen’s Youth Ministry have once again recently returned home from spending a week in Roanoke, Virginia helping those in need.

The group’s theme this year was “AMPLIFY.” The trip set out at 6 AM on Sunday, July 19 th for the week. This is the four year that St. Helen’s has participated in Chwc- Catholic Heart WorkCamp. St. Helen’s has been to West Virginia, Washington DC and New Mexico in years past to help better the way of living for the people in the community. The evening before they left a Mass was celebrated followed by a gathering of all the families for a sending-off dinner and a special blessing.

The team was made up of students from Westfield, Cranford, and Fanwood , Clark, Mountainside and E. Orange. In attendance were: Catherine Bergin, Jeremy Berlinski, Morgan Biglin, Sean Biglin, Allison Bronander, Rebecca Dooley, Michael Ferraro, Conor Larkin, Mariel Loughlin, Michele Loughlin, Emma Maloney, Conor Ragoza, Anthony Scalia, Dan Scalia, Christopher Witzel &Devin Zrebiec

Adult Team : Dan Biglin, Patti Gardner, Gail Laughlin, Ralph Laughlin, Marian Loughlin & Matt Toriello

During the week the group broke up into separate work teams. The teams would gather at 7:30 AM for morning prayer/program and depart for the worksites at 8am. Some of the organizations that they worked with were Habitat for Humanity, Ronald McDonald House, local Community Food Banks, Hope Tree Family Services: and an orphanage and housing for disabled adults. The youth and adults spent time with the residents of these places, doing home repairs, painting and building houses for the less fortunate.

Upon returning from the worksites each day Chwc provided the youth with an evening program that consisted of music by Christian Rock artist, Andy Cloniger, reflections and pictures of the day, games, daily mass and on one night a Candlelight prayer service.

The team began preparing for this week of service in January of this year. They raised all of the monies for this trip by hosting a Family Fun Day and a sponsorship drive.

The team stayed at Roanoke Catholic High sleeping on the floor all week in classrooms and showering in the gym or at the local nearby YMCA. This was an unforgettable experience for all, which enabled the youth to truly appreciate all of the luxuries that are provided for us in our own community.