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

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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.
www.smumn.edu/cardinal Feature: Lasallian Service February 29, 2008 9 Seniors forfeit job search to volunteer BY ELLEN JORDAN Cardinal Staff As the year progresses and graduation looms closer, some seniors are considering long-term volunteering as they make postgraduation plans. Students from any major can choose to be a volunteer. Service venues are plentiful, including jobs such as teaching, tutoring, coaching, organizing service projects, fundraising, grantwriting and doing social work. Volunteers work throughout the United States, including major cities like Chicago, New York, Tulsa, Memphis, Portland, San Francisco and Los Angeles. Senior Amy Kalina plans to pursue a longterm volunteer commitment next year. “As I get ready to graduate, I realize that there will never be another time in my life when I will be totally free of commitments and able to do something different,” said Kalina. “As naive as it may sound, I don’t just want to ‘enter’ the real world; I want to try to change it.” Graduate Sarah Jane Engle ’07 is currently a Lasallian Volunteer, and was on campus last week recruiting and informing students about the program. The most rewarding part of the experience for her has been “experiencing different parts of our culture in the United States while still preaching and living the Lasallian mission.” Lasallian Volunteers is a program affiliated with Saint Mary’s University and often attracts graduates. Volunteers are comprised of men and women from the United States who directly serve the poor while working and living in community with Lasallian Christian Brothers and other volunteers. While most volunteers are not paid a salary, many volunteers, depending on their program, are given room, board, a small stipend, medical insurance, college loan deferment and an AmeriCorps education reward. photo by Kristina Perkins Sarah Jane Engle ’07 (left) shares her stories from volunteering with senior Ashley Wendlandt. Engle met with various seniors to discuss future plans. Look who’s talkin’ at SMU! What does it mean to be a Lasallian student? To be Lasallian is to make sacrifices and to lead by example. Jessica Mate Freshman To have a similar mind set to Saint John Baptist de La Salle and live your life by putting others before yourself as he did. Read Gleason Sophomore It means to place Christ Jesus at the forefront of our lives, along with growth in knowledge and education. Derek Wherley Junior Not only does the Lasallian mission try to educate the mind, it also tries to meet the needs of the heart with Christian teachings. Mary Moses Senior
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February 29, 2008 - Saint Mary's University of Minnesota

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