IWA mission team serves close to home

Catholic missionary service is deeply rooted in the history of South Texas.  Many parishes, communities, the educational efforts in the Diocese of Corpus Christi trace their founding to the first missionaries who brought the Gospel to this rugged frontier. 

Missionary work is a cornerstone of Catholic faith, which is reflected upon and passed on through the generations to be celebrated by those who serve along with those who receive.

Incarnate Word Academy (IWA) students were reintroduced to the missionary experience in communities in the area.  Students were given the opportunity to get to know the people of three small rural towns—their faith, culture and their way of living. 

“In years past when the Mission Team travelled to Mexico, part of the experience was immersing into the lives of the people in the towns where they traveled,” Sister Rosa Ortiz, IWA Director of Campus Ministries said.  “We wanted to give our young people the gift of seeing life through the eyes of others.  So in addition to the manual labor that our students put forth to help revitalize these communities, they also had the opportunity to have a deeper understanding of the lifestyles that are very different from their own life experience. ”

For Holy Week, the IWA Mission Team of 62 high school students, along with 22 adult chaperones, traveled over three hours to the Dimmit County communities of Big Wells, Asherton and Catarina.  During the week, as part of their revitalization efforts, students painted homes, put up fences, performed renovation work on a parish building, trimmed many trees and mowed many lawns. 

Another group of students, who were unable to travel for the week, but still wanted to serve, did their mission service with Sacred Heart Parish in Corpus Christi.  They performed the Live Stations of the Cross alongside parishioners at the church’s annual depiction of the Passion play.  The student missionaries who served locally also helped members of Sacred Heart Parish with a complete spring-cleaning and beautifying the grounds and facilities. 

“The experience here in Corpus was great,” junior Katia Mendizabal said.  “It helped me realize that you don’t have to travel somewhere to help someone, because there are plenty of people in need of help here at home.  I was able to relate my faith and passion through my short time at Sacred Heart.  It was an experience I will never forget.”

Students worked and worshiped together with the people in the parishes.  They participated in “visiteo” which included visiting house-to-house inviting residents to triduum services.  What stood out for the student missionaries was not the physical work that they accomplished, but rather the notable effect their visit had on the members of the parishes.
 
“I think the lasting impact that we left with the people in Catarina, is that people do care,” sophomore Ashley Zawicky said. “Other people share their faith, morals and beliefs.” 

Zawicky, as well as other Mission Team members and organizers, was very touched by the appreciation shown by the people in the towns.  “They spent their time and money trying to show us gratitude.  This experience has made me want to come back next year into the Mission Program to love and serve others.” 

Sophomore Jacob Bartlett, who served the community of Big Wells, echoed this sentiment. He felt the team’s greatest contribution was, “filling their hearts with renewed spirit and building a new foundation for their faith to grow.”

“I believe the spirits of many were lifted, knowing that young people were there to help,” Bartlett said. “Through our preparations and celebrations of communion services during the triduum, we built a new root for faith to grow.”

Sister Celia Ramirez of the Immaculate Conception Parish in Asherton expressed the sentiment shared by her parish.   “We have no words to express our gratitude and appreciation for all you have done.  Your level of work and the change you have brought to our community will not be forgotten.”

Both, those who served and those who received, celebrated in the works of the IWA 2012 Mission Team.