As our high school students returned from our service trip to Fremont NE, they shared just what it means for them to be able to participate in Catholic Heart WorkCamp. Here are a few of their responses:
“It is a great opportunity to get a breath of fresh air from our crazy and hectic lives. It’s a great chance to grow closer to God and deepen your faith.”
“Throughout the year you get life piled on you and sometimes you lose sight of your faith. CHWC gets you fired up and makes you excited again!”
“This experience strengthens our relationship with God and by the end of the week you feel amazing knowing that you helped someone while learning more about your faith.”
“It’s a chance to ‘hang out’ with God for a week, like I would do with any other friend.”
“CHWC has created friendships for a lifetime.”
“I love this week and this experience – it changed my life.”
“CHWC is a great way to grow in faith and share God’s love with a couple hundred teens with the same goals and beliefs.”
“CHWC was a ‘faith renewer’ for me. It has set a fire in my soul to spread God’s will and share my faith.
“I saw God in all of the chaperones. They took a whole week to spend it with some crazy kids. Parents are the reason for our faith, and I am so thankful.”
“CHWC was a great experience to meet many new friends who come for the same reason as we do – to praise God through song and service.”
“I didn’t know what to expect, but this week has made my faith stronger, as well as having one of the best weeks of my life.”
“CHWC is a place where you can go and just be you. You grow in your faith in so many ways. It’s amazing the people you meet and how they become your lifelong friends.”
“It’s an experience of a lifetime. You feel the life of your faith all around you. There is power throughout the entire week. The love of Christ is surging everywhere you go.”
“It was my first time going to CHWC and it was an incredible experience! I have become much closer to my teen group friends and it strengthened my faith in God and in myself.”
“I love to serve other people and make an impact on the community, no matter how big or small.”
“What I learned is that I don’t have to hide my faith. I’m so glad for this experience and to help others.”
“We volunteered at many different locations. I learned about God in ways I didn’t know. I met a kid at a daycare, and the way he got along and worked with everyone was very inspiring.”
“CHWC allowed me to set everything aside for a week and worry about nothing but singing, dancing, and serving the Lord. It was great to be set on fire for my faith and for my God in a school full of teens that share my faith, while serving people who I’ve never met simply because they are children of God.”
“I am grateful for this opportunity and for everyone who helped make this happen.”
“I worked at a Habitat for Humanity house. At first, I stood back and watched the work going on around me. Finally I got the courage and joined the forces, and I managed to keep up with all of them. This is how God works. He is always there, waiting for his opening.”
Our chaperones also gave their feedback:
“I want to share how proud I am (and everyone should be) of this group from SSJP. They were respectful, prayerful, but also joyful and excited to PARTICIPATE and not just spectate.”
“This week was an awesome opportunity to serve and appreciate the many, many gifts we have and also remind us how important it is that we are active in our faith.”
“I learned not to force the Holy Spirit, but instead just pray and let it happen when it is right!”
“It was inspirational to see the students show their glory to God. We have an amazing youth group.”
“It was so encouraging to hear the residents at the final evening gathering say that meeting the teenagers and watching their work ethic and giving spirits gave them hope for the future, and renewed their faith in humanity.”
“Each and every one of our students immersed themselves 100% into whatever was being asked of them – whether it was working at their job-sites, participating in mass and other prayer opportunities, or dancing, singing, and having fun! Their actions were always appropriate and respectful. I’m so proud of them all!!”