High school students sacrifice spring break to assist hurricane victims

Denver, Colo., Apr 4, 2009 / 11:38 am

"Come, be my light" was God’s call to Mother Teresa more than 50 years ago. Seventeen students and four adults from Bishop Machebeuf High School in Denver felt the same call last week, to help those in need in Galveston, Texas. The island off the southwestern coast of the state was devastated by Hurricane Ike in mid-September 2008, causing massive destruction, unseen in the historic city since 1900.

The mission trip included a balance of work and prayer: each day students prayed the Liturgy of the Hours, went to Mass together and also spent around seven hours working on various sites. They moved from house to house throughout the week cleaning, removing trees and debris, rebuilding, restoring, and painting.

Br. Paul Kostka, Machebeuf teacher and head of campus ministry remarked that his favorite part of the trip "was being able to assist a young mother whose house had to be rebuilt from the ground up."

Alex Gomez, a senior who also participated in the trip was impressed by the mind-set of the hurricane victims saying: "It was amazing that these people, who have suffered for so long and have lost so much, remain joyous, hospitable, and hopeful."

The group was lodged through the generosity of the Knights of Columbus and hosted by St. Patrick’s Catholic Church.