February 29, 2008 - Saint Mary's University of Minnesota

8 February 29, 2008 Feature: Lasallian Service www.smumn.edu/cardinal
Transformation through service
BY BETSY BAERTLEIN
Feature Editor Service
“Sore muscles speak of hard work and a job well
done.” This was probably not what most students
were saying after winter recess, but this was the comment
of senior Brittany Staver, a Saint Mary’s
University student participant in Serving Others
United in Love.
Groups of students from SMU traveled to
Missouri, New Jersey, Louisiana, Kentucky and
Montana during winter recess Feb. 9-17 in order to
participate in volunteer activities. Five faculty and
staff advisors traveled along with over 40 students to
these destinations through the Campus Ministry
SOUL program. There was also a group that went to
Wisconsin during October break and a group that will
be going to the Philippines this summer.
Student leaders who serve as members of the
SOUL Council choose the individual volunteer sites.
SOUL welcomes participants of all faiths and denominations,
but some destinations have connections with
the Catholic, Lasallian tradition, such as the San
Miguel schools and Catholic Worker homes. This
winter’s trips included such diverse missions as
building houses, working in schools, working with
community programs and working in homeless shelters.
The primary focus of SOUL may appear to be
service, but each trip incorporates an array of activities.
The four cornerstones of SOUL are faith, community,
service and transformation. The goal of the
trips is not only to serve others, but also to learn
more about local culture and social justice
issues. SOUL Staff Advisor Kami Ward
said, “I learned that the stereotype of homelessness
is just that, a stereotype. These
were some of the nicest … people I ever
met.”
The trips also lend themselves to personal
growth and faith development.
Sophomore Katie Klus, a student SOUL
participant, said, “I think we were the ones
who were truly transformed.”
Participants engage in group prayer and
reflection at the end of each workday.
“Oftentimes when we [reflected on] our
day,” said SOUL Council Member
Stephanie Marnocha, “there was just silence
because we were all so overcome by what
had happened during the day and how it
had affected us on a personal level.”
SOUL trips prove to be an eye-opening
experience for many participants, exposing
them to the poverty that exists in our nation today.
Marnocha said that she feels “aware now of how
prevalent poverty is in our country and how people
are taking steps to change that.”
An important lesson of SOUL is that hope still
exists even where there is great poverty and devastation.
“I’ve learned to always have faith and hope in
people and the future,” Klus said.
According to Ward, “Words cannot describe the
experience nor can they accurately project what we
saw there.” Many SOUL participants return with a
contributed by Kami Ward
(L-R) Steph Marnocha, Dan Streefland, Zak Barry, Katie
Klus, and Kami Ward get ready to serve the evening meal
to 100+ guests at the Holy Family Catholic Worker House.
renewed desire to serve others, both in the Winona
community and elsewhere.
SOUL depends largely on fundraising to keep the
cost of the trips affordable for students. Students and
faculty who are interested in learning more about the
program should contact Campus Ministry or a SOUL
Council member. For those interested in supporting
SOUL, the council will be hosting a spaghetti dinner
on Friday, April 25, and the Row, Ride, Run
Triathlon on Saturday, April 26, as fundraisers.
Students continue with flood relief efforts
BY ELLEN JORDAN
Staff Writer
Five months after the floodwaters
rushed through Winona, damage is still
present, and Saint Mary’s University
students are continuing to help with
relief efforts.
The harsh winter has slowed down
relief efforts, and any exterior work on
homes has not yet been done.
However, volunteers have made
improvements on the interior of homes
by hanging sheetrock, laying flooring
and painting.
Katie LaPlant, director of volunteer
services, has taken the lead in finding
opportunities for relief and recruiting
students. “Help is always needed,” said
LaPlant. “Some of these homes have
suffered major damage, and it will take
some time to get them back on their
feet.”
For now, SMU students have committed
to hanging sheetrock every other
Saturday. Specific weekdays have also
been designated to help people move
back into their homes.
Senior Jenny Pater helped with the
relief efforts on Feb. 2. “I was really
glad I was able to contribute,” said
Pater. “I have wanted to donate my
time all year, and I am glad that I was
finally able to be helpful to others.”
“Our Lasallian charism calls us to
lead ethical lives of service,” said
LaPlant. “There is no better way to live
out…what you learn in the classroom
than to participate in any kind of volunteer
activity. By doing this, you are
able to empower yourself as well as the
person whom you are helping.”
Each time an opportunity to help
arises, the entire student body is sent
an email stating how they can get
involved. Students who want to get
more information on any volunteer
work can contact LaPlant at kalaplan@smumn.edu.