St. Fabian St. Fabian - Saint Fabian Catholic Church

ST. FABIAN CHURCH PAGE 9 FARMINGTON HILLS, MI
2013 Appalachia Mission Trip
Newfane, New York July 21-27th
Teen Participants
Peggy’s Perspective
Youth Ministering, the Finest Moments
Carmen Compton, Brent Freeman,
Taylor Gray, Shane Joyce, Alden
Kane, Zosia Kolodziej, Katelyn Macksoud,
Sarah Morgott, Joe Perry,
Madison Selinsky, Kara Compton,
Julie Fargo, Luke Fox, Joey Gignac,
Sean Lusk, Madeline Master, Matt
Morgott, Andrew Muller, Genna
Reed, Danielle Rinke, David Sobolak,
Marissa Sweet, Julia Swoish, Grant
Borregard, Nathan Bur, Lauren
Caverly, Austin Godwin, Kyle Gray,
Paris Guminik, Carley Hall, Sarah
Kane, Robbie Love, Dominick Macksould,
Adam Mason, Danny
McNeece, Dino Reed, Alyssa Robert,
Neil Robinson, Jaclyn Ruffolo, Louis
Senia-Grant, Anna Waldron, Haley
Fox, Blake Freeman, Jaclyn Godwin,
Lauren Hiltz, Andrew Kilcline, Laura
Lusk, Zach Macksoud, Jon Perry,
Maria Reed, Sarah Robert, Emily
Schumer, Michael Zimmer
Just back from Newfane, New York and everyone though tired, is still exhilarated from the experience. The week began
with the 5:00 PM Mass on July 20th. You could feel the energy and excitement as 53 teens and 10 adult chaperones were
about to begin a week they would not soon forget. The Lord had called them and they responded, “Yes, Lord, I will go.”
We left Sunday morning at 6:00 AM taking with us the 60 quilts made by loving hands from our community; eight hours
later we were in Newfane! In the evening we found out what crews we were working with. There were 35 sites in Newfane
and Lockport that desperately needed attention. A total of 500 teens and adults were here to make a difference.
Robbie Love, Danny McNeece and I were working at the same site. Our Neighbor (the home owner), Ann, was nervous
at first. I would be too. Imagine letting 14 strangers come to your house and paint, repair, clean up with most of them being
teens! This takes trust. By day’s end, our crews were starting to get to know one another. By week’s end we were family.
Ann always came out to pray with us as we began our day, at lunch and as we closed our work day. Life had not been
easy for her. When she purchased this house with her husband many years ago, they had so many plans and dreams.
Two years later, her husband died. She was heartbroken and having no extra money to do the things they had planned to
do with their home, it sat as time took its toll on both the house and Ann.
Everyday we came back and transformed the outside of her home and garage. This in turn, began a transformation
within her. Her clothes showed outwardly the transformation taking place within. Day one was a black shirt, day two brown,
by week’s end she was in a fuchsia pink top with a smile and tears that would not stop, continually thanking us and God for
not only the house being painted but the healing that was taking place inside.
Our young people went to make a difference and certainly accomplished this goal. Their own hearts were transformed
too in the process as Jesus showed the depths of His love not just to our neighbors but to them as they responded “YES” to
Him. Always present, always loving, our Lord loves us more than we know.
On a personal note, I would like to say thank you to our adult team; Becky Bur, Ann Compton, Sue Crudgington, Lisa
Fargo, John Goshorn, Joe Juliano, Mike McNeece, Ken Sobolak and Anne Sweet. Without them we would not have been
able to go. With them, our teens changed the heart of a community. Thank you for giving of your time, your talent and being
patient with me and our teens. I will always be thankful for you and grateful for our friendship.
Over the next few weeks, watch for more stories, reflections, and pictures in the bulletin and in the hallway. Read the
Good News our God has done through you. We thank you and pray for you as you have continuously supported the work of
our teens. Without you this would not be possible. May God bless you all for what you have done and in the many ways
you made this Mission Trip possible. Next year, Monroe, North Carolina here we come!