As the service trip comes to a close, I am filled with great consolation after a tremendously transformative, and somewhat exhausting week. Tonight's closing prayer was a moving testimony to the power of the Gospel. The work our boys did was exceptional; the reflection was even better. But prayer tonight filled me with the hope that these boys are well on the journey to realizing God's justice here on earth. As a teacher, I am also energized by the knowledge that they will bring these experiences and reflections back to BC High, where they will become the prophetic voices to their peers. I am both grateful and humbled that they allowed me to be a partner on part of that journey...
AMDG,
Mr. Chris Hayes '85
Religious Ed. Dept.
Friday, June 25, 2010
romero center review cole murray
Hello people
My name is Cole Murray and I have spent a week at the Romero Center.
The Romero center was a very welcoming place located in east Camden, NJ. It was named after the Archbishop Oscar Romero a Jesuit. Many groups throughout the year mostly high school and college age kids take trips to the Romero center. The idea behind this community service center is to send these groups to various community centers in Camden and Philadelphia to have kid volunteers help out at these places. Many of these places are wonderful and have the most awe inspiring people who work there and run them. Although some places may require more physical labor than others, which usually interrupts one on ones with the people in the centers and other volunteers. Romero center also gives tours of Camden and shows you the whole city and how it has improved over the years. Also one day I volunteered to learn about immigration of Mexicans, and I discovered how difficult the journey is and the how most are just trying to help out their families. The Romero center also taught me a new understanding of what it is truly like to be homeless, and true life in Camden. I would recommend everyone to visit the Romero center center so they all can experience the true heart warming experiences I had. This trip was one of the best decisions I ever made and I hope everyone can experience it.
My name is Cole Murray and I have spent a week at the Romero Center.
The Romero center was a very welcoming place located in east Camden, NJ. It was named after the Archbishop Oscar Romero a Jesuit. Many groups throughout the year mostly high school and college age kids take trips to the Romero center. The idea behind this community service center is to send these groups to various community centers in Camden and Philadelphia to have kid volunteers help out at these places. Many of these places are wonderful and have the most awe inspiring people who work there and run them. Although some places may require more physical labor than others, which usually interrupts one on ones with the people in the centers and other volunteers. Romero center also gives tours of Camden and shows you the whole city and how it has improved over the years. Also one day I volunteered to learn about immigration of Mexicans, and I discovered how difficult the journey is and the how most are just trying to help out their families. The Romero center also taught me a new understanding of what it is truly like to be homeless, and true life in Camden. I would recommend everyone to visit the Romero center center so they all can experience the true heart warming experiences I had. This trip was one of the best decisions I ever made and I hope everyone can experience it.
Friday Night Camden Blog Post
While writing my blog and having a few of my firends heckle me, espically Keegan Hayes amd Daniel Curtis, I have noticed how much of a brotherhood BC High has. Coming to Camden I wanted a revelation of how privialeged my life and oppurtunities are. Without the brotherhood of my fellow students I would not have been able to have this revelation. Between my friends at BC High, Gonzaga, and Good Counsel I have had a revelation and I truly can say I understand what is important in life and what I need to do to help others. I have also realized that with teamwork even the toughest things can be accomplished. I have understood another thing, even if you are down you sure are not out. Today I met a person named Ivan Maxwell at Abigal House, a nursing home. He showed me that he had pride and that Camden is a beautiful home. Also we were talking about President John F. Kennedy and how one man killed him because he did not agree with him. I made the comment that sometimes even if you do the best things for people, a small percent of people will still find hatred. I made an analogy to Oscar Romero, the archbishop that the Romero Center is named after. Even though he was doing wonderful things for people a small percentage of people still found enough hatred for him that he was assasinated. He told me, "I love that. I never thought about that like that, but it is so true." He said it choked up and after he shed a tear. With that tear I had an unexpected willingness to be like Oscar Romero. I want to be a wonderful person who helps people who need help like these people in Camden and in my own city of Boston. Lastly, I would like to thank all the benefacotr's of BC High becasue without you I would not be at BC High and would not have the multiple opputunites that BC High gives. I would also like to thank my parents who work relentlessly to send me to BC High and in the future to college. i have noticed that these two groups. the benefactors and my parents, are the reason why I have changed as a person and as a student. Thank you so much. One thing that the Romero Center told me was "you say you know the poor, name them." That saying has changed my views and hopefully with some reflection it will change you as well.
Jon Montovani
Jon Montovani
Final night
Hi,
It's, John Craig again. I sit here writing this thinking back on the profound week that I have just gone through. I have gone to work sites that have impacted me in way that is are impossible to put into words. This sounds cliche but its true. I have seen the disparities in the housing and upkeep of certain parts of the city, and I have seen the environmental effects that the factories, that once employed thousands of the citizens of Camden, have left on the city. Entire fields are quarantined due to the hazard es waste of these plants. I have helped at the pre-k here in the parish that the Romero Center is part of. There i saw children who more than likely have unstable home lives. They were full of joy and I it gave me hope that they have a good future ahead. I then went to a food pantry/shelter for homeless men in Philly. This was an eye opener that destroyed my stereotypes of homeless people, because I saw plenty of guys who I would never place the tag of homeless on. Yesterday i helped at Philabundance, a food processing plant in Philly. We worked to package food for families. And today I worked at the other end of Philabundance, at what was presented as a market where people could come and get food for free and have the choice to choose what food they want.The major thing that I have seen from my experience is that one of the major things we do is give dignity to the people we serve. This has been a major thing that the people at the Romero Center have stressed to us. And this is true. You can see it in the smile that a homeless man gives you when you hand him a piece of bread, or when you give a four year old his 100th piggy back ride in 10 minutes. I need to finish this so I'll end with this thought.
At the begging of this trip they told us that our service would mean more to and have a bigger impact on us than the people we serve. When I heard this I thought that they were just saying this. But tonight as I face heading back to my normal life in Waltham I see that this is true. This has changed me in ways I can't begin to describe.
-John S. Craig
It's, John Craig again. I sit here writing this thinking back on the profound week that I have just gone through. I have gone to work sites that have impacted me in way that is are impossible to put into words. This sounds cliche but its true. I have seen the disparities in the housing and upkeep of certain parts of the city, and I have seen the environmental effects that the factories, that once employed thousands of the citizens of Camden, have left on the city. Entire fields are quarantined due to the hazard es waste of these plants. I have helped at the pre-k here in the parish that the Romero Center is part of. There i saw children who more than likely have unstable home lives. They were full of joy and I it gave me hope that they have a good future ahead. I then went to a food pantry/shelter for homeless men in Philly. This was an eye opener that destroyed my stereotypes of homeless people, because I saw plenty of guys who I would never place the tag of homeless on. Yesterday i helped at Philabundance, a food processing plant in Philly. We worked to package food for families. And today I worked at the other end of Philabundance, at what was presented as a market where people could come and get food for free and have the choice to choose what food they want.The major thing that I have seen from my experience is that one of the major things we do is give dignity to the people we serve. This has been a major thing that the people at the Romero Center have stressed to us. And this is true. You can see it in the smile that a homeless man gives you when you hand him a piece of bread, or when you give a four year old his 100th piggy back ride in 10 minutes. I need to finish this so I'll end with this thought.
At the begging of this trip they told us that our service would mean more to and have a bigger impact on us than the people we serve. When I heard this I thought that they were just saying this. But tonight as I face heading back to my normal life in Waltham I see that this is true. This has changed me in ways I can't begin to describe.
-John S. Craig
Camden Day 5- Andrew Scott
Hello everyone,
I would like to start off by stating all the service sites i have participated in. The sites were Hopeworks, Abigail house, Ten Thousand Villages, Sanctuary, and St. Francis Inn. Hopeworks is an organization that sets up programs so young men and women from the age of 17 to 24, these people are given a chance to get a high school diploma or a college diploma. As the people finish their diplomas, they are given a chance to work at the Hopeworks organization. Abigail house was by far the best work site i went to because i got to work with different people than i normally do, for instance; paralyzed, homeless, mentally ill, physically challenged and elderly people. At this site, you are able to meet some very good people even if they are mentally ill. One person I remember is Kenny Taylor, a war veteran and now he is physically challenged because of bad legs. Ten Thousand Villages is an organization that promotes fair trade by having all their products hand made by artisans around the world. Sanctuary is an organization that take in men who have been addicted to drugs or alcohol. The men who stay here have two years there until they are thrown out. By this time, the men should be healed. At St. Francis Inn, I served men who were homeless, or people who are less fortunate in the city of Philadelphia. As I walked around serving, I would sit and talk with people. One man i met is Glen, he talked to me about his daughter and how she graduated from college and now working for government. This was probably the best thing I have heard during Camden because most of the high schools have a high drop out rate. For instance, one school called Woodrow Wilson High has a 95 percent drop out. I encourage all of you to take a trip here or a trip similar to this, so you can experience this. I will guarantee you that you will change as a person. I grew new perspectives for homelessness and poverty. I am so glad I was picked to go here.
Andrew Scott
I would like to start off by stating all the service sites i have participated in. The sites were Hopeworks, Abigail house, Ten Thousand Villages, Sanctuary, and St. Francis Inn. Hopeworks is an organization that sets up programs so young men and women from the age of 17 to 24, these people are given a chance to get a high school diploma or a college diploma. As the people finish their diplomas, they are given a chance to work at the Hopeworks organization. Abigail house was by far the best work site i went to because i got to work with different people than i normally do, for instance; paralyzed, homeless, mentally ill, physically challenged and elderly people. At this site, you are able to meet some very good people even if they are mentally ill. One person I remember is Kenny Taylor, a war veteran and now he is physically challenged because of bad legs. Ten Thousand Villages is an organization that promotes fair trade by having all their products hand made by artisans around the world. Sanctuary is an organization that take in men who have been addicted to drugs or alcohol. The men who stay here have two years there until they are thrown out. By this time, the men should be healed. At St. Francis Inn, I served men who were homeless, or people who are less fortunate in the city of Philadelphia. As I walked around serving, I would sit and talk with people. One man i met is Glen, he talked to me about his daughter and how she graduated from college and now working for government. This was probably the best thing I have heard during Camden because most of the high schools have a high drop out rate. For instance, one school called Woodrow Wilson High has a 95 percent drop out. I encourage all of you to take a trip here or a trip similar to this, so you can experience this. I will guarantee you that you will change as a person. I grew new perspectives for homelessness and poverty. I am so glad I was picked to go here.
Andrew Scott
Camden Day 5
Hey guys,
This is the last day of service here at Camden, NJ. So far I have had the most amazing week. This trip had such an impact on my life. These people and experiences have truly changed what I think about people. So many stereotypes we have heard about Camden have been false and this is all proven by all the people I have met this week. These people have such great faith in their communities and in God and it really is one of the things that keep the community going. As people try to close the gap between being poor and rich in Camden; people are also need to try to close the gap between the great people we have met all week and all the people who are causing problems and violence in this city. I have learned not to judge people who are poor, homeless, or abusing drugged because they have fallen into a hole that usually is not their fault. Injuries, loss of jobs or housing can all bring these people down. These experiences have come from visiting sites like New Visions (homeless day shelter), Abigail House (a home for the elderly and physically and mentally disabled), Francis House (a house for ones infected with HIV/AIDS), and also today I went to the St. Francis Inn (serving food to those who are short on money or homeless). This trip has changed my life spiritually and socially and I believe that it can effect many more people if they keep coming here and trying to help out. I hope that BC High can continue to send a group here and maybe another group as well a different week. Signing off to a great experience this week.
Ryan Shea
This is the last day of service here at Camden, NJ. So far I have had the most amazing week. This trip had such an impact on my life. These people and experiences have truly changed what I think about people. So many stereotypes we have heard about Camden have been false and this is all proven by all the people I have met this week. These people have such great faith in their communities and in God and it really is one of the things that keep the community going. As people try to close the gap between being poor and rich in Camden; people are also need to try to close the gap between the great people we have met all week and all the people who are causing problems and violence in this city. I have learned not to judge people who are poor, homeless, or abusing drugged because they have fallen into a hole that usually is not their fault. Injuries, loss of jobs or housing can all bring these people down. These experiences have come from visiting sites like New Visions (homeless day shelter), Abigail House (a home for the elderly and physically and mentally disabled), Francis House (a house for ones infected with HIV/AIDS), and also today I went to the St. Francis Inn (serving food to those who are short on money or homeless). This trip has changed my life spiritually and socially and I believe that it can effect many more people if they keep coming here and trying to help out. I hope that BC High can continue to send a group here and maybe another group as well a different week. Signing off to a great experience this week.
Ryan Shea
Thursday, June 24, 2010
Camden day 4
Hey
My name is Jimmy Moynahan and I on the fourth day of our immmersion trip in Camden. Today I worked for at a place for the audult mentally handicapped of the community called WILEY's place. There we played bowling and bingo with the people who went their. What staid with me throuout the day is how happy all of the pwoplw were and how much some of them enjoeyed life. At the bowling place though we got deastroyed almost all of the handicapped beat our scoes. In the afternoon we took a tour of Camden and how their was such a differece between the waterfriont part of Cmden and North Camden which is the worst part. We also talked about how the corruption in the city the past three mayors have been indiete and how much negative affect that has on the city.
My name is Jimmy Moynahan and I on the fourth day of our immmersion trip in Camden. Today I worked for at a place for the audult mentally handicapped of the community called WILEY's place. There we played bowling and bingo with the people who went their. What staid with me throuout the day is how happy all of the pwoplw were and how much some of them enjoeyed life. At the bowling place though we got deastroyed almost all of the handicapped beat our scoes. In the afternoon we took a tour of Camden and how their was such a differece between the waterfriont part of Cmden and North Camden which is the worst part. We also talked about how the corruption in the city the past three mayors have been indiete and how much negative affect that has on the city.
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