While many other Christian camps dedicated to service can be found throughout the country, this camp features elements that are uniquely Catholic. Every morning begins with Mass, and there are also designated times throughout the week for the rosary, reconciliation and eucharistic adoration.
"This is a service-based camp, but it is first and foremost a Christ-centered camp," Father Norman Fischer, camp chaplain, said.
The director of this year's camp, Lauren Kowalik, said, "We hope the campers make that connection between their service and our faith. We hope they understand why it's so important."
Ty Taylor, a 19 year-old veteran camper, acknowledged that this camp had been spiritually beneficial.
"Workcamp is an awesome, faith-filled, fun experience," he said. "Here you can understand why you need to serve. You get thrown right into a situation where you really need to be the hands and feet of Christ and give everything you have to help other people. We don't always get to see that in everyday life."
Catholic Heart Workcamp is designed to build servant hearts in its participants for more than just a week; it operates in hopes of giving teens the encouragement and support necessary to serve for a lifetime.
"After camp ends, you're still living to give," Endelicato said.
Collectively, the campers, adults and staff of this year's work camp have been more than happy to give back to the city of New Orleans.
"The people here are so appreciative," Mason said. "There is such a welcoming spirit in this city."
At the end of Thursday night's program, Rodrigue thanked the workers and quoted Blessed Mother Teresa: "We cannot do great things. We can only do small things with great love."
Posted with permission from Clarion Herald, official newspaper of the Archdiocese of New Orleans.
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