San Felipe de Jesus Youth at PJD

They went around doing good.

2009-01-02T14:38:00.000-08:00

They went around doing good.

While at the Vincentian Session Fr. Hugh O’Donnell, CM talked about how St. Vincent “went around doing good.” That is what the San Felipe Youth Group has been doing… They’ve been doing good in and for their community.

The most recent youth group project has been to make street signs for the colonia of Cameron Park. About half the streets in the colonia have signs and the other half does not. It can be difficult for emergency vehicles to find their way if they are not familiar with the area. As one of the teens put it, “We are saving lives. If someone needs an ambulance now they’ll will know what streets their on and can find the right address.” It will make it easier for everyone to navigate their way through the neighborhood.

With some ply wood, stencils and paint we went to work painting signs and it seems we’ve managed to do what Cameron County hasn’t done…get street signs! The project is not yet complete but we hope to finish this coming month.

2008-12-08T13:06:00.000-08:00

The weekend before Thanksgiving San Felipe teens met to make 20 baskets for those in need in Cameron Park. Before going out to deliver the baskets we practiced by doing simple role playing. I played an older woman. When I answered the door I looked surprised to see a group of young people. Then once they explained who they were and what they had for me I acted so touched that I cried. The teens laughed and said, "Sister Sharon, no one is going to cry." I assured them that they need to be prepared for tears.

Four groups set out with names and addresses to deliver baskets to. Each group had a story to tell when they returned. The group that I accompanied had the following experience.

One of the addresses we were looking turned out to be a nice little house. It sat across from an apartment that was unkempt and had kids roaming about outside while the adults sat in the doorway watching. One of the teens said, "I think we should give the basket to those people over there...they look like they need it." But I suggested we stick with the address and Sandra, Dalia, and Karina agreed. When we knocked on the door and older woman answered. She invited us in and we introduced ourselves and presented her with her basket. She was very moved and began to cry. The woman told us that she had no food to eat and had called her sister the night before to ask for some help. Her sister had brought her enough for a meal, which she was cooking when we arrived. She had invited two of the neighbor's children over to share the meal with her. The two boys looked on as we prayed and the woman gave thanks to God for all the things He had given her. When we left the home Sandra said, "We did the right thing by giving the basket to her...she really needed it." We all agreed with her and talked about how we can't always judge needs by what we see on the outside.

In our time of reflection the youth shared how touched they were by the many needs of the people in their community. They were also touched by their gratitude and generosity.

I will always thank the Lord;

I will never stop praising him.

I will praise him for what he has done;

may all who are oppressed listen and be glad.

Psalm 34:1-2

Simple Joy

2008-08-28T12:05:00.000-07:00

The first week of August, youth group members as well as staff from PJD piled in cars to head over to Matamoros for our last week of summer camp. Karina, Silvia, Kim, Juana, Junior and the gang looked forward to this week since the summer began.

We were met by kids running to meet us because they heard it was time for Summer Bible Camp. This year they experienced "Rancho Avalancha" a western themed camp that had everyone dancing to country music with messages of faith and following Jesus.

Our camp is held in a small mission parish- we have one room where doors and windows are open-one group meets outside and one inside. No one minds the working conditions because there is so much JOY in the children. After singing, playing games, arts and crafts and bible classes with some 50 kids we'd all go home tired and filled with happiness for what we've shared and what we've been blessed to receive. To learn more about our experience watch the video of photos.