PORT ST. LUCIE | June 24-28 was youth mission week for St. Lucie Parish in Port St. Lucie. It was for encouraging parish youth to perform corporal works of mercy by walking in the footsteps of Jesus and by living the Gospels by helping the less fortunate.
“Four years ago, we started with 18 youth, and this year we have 34 youth,” said Loretta Barnes, St. Lucie’s family and youth ministry director. “The purpose of the mission week is to help the youth understand that there are those in our own community who need our help, and it gives them a chance to go out and be the hands and feet of Jesus, to live as his disciples.”
The mission week focused on two saints to emulate: “St. Cantius and St. Cantianilla, who are the patron saints for children and Catholic youth,” Barnes said. “Our Bible verse for the week is Dt 15:10-11: ‘When you give, give generously and not with a stingy heart; for that, the Lord, your God, will bless you in all your works and undertakings. The land will never lack for needy persons; that is why I command you: Open your hand freely to your poor and to your needy kin in your land.’”
Asked what works of mercy the teens accomplished, Barnes said, “The youth were encouraged to visit and serve the local community and do some work at the homes of a few of our parishioners, such as window washing and painting, going to the food bank in Fort Pierce to sort food, and several projects at our own church, including going to St. Phillip Benizi in Belle Glade to help some of their youth paint the classrooms in time for their summer camp.”
Angelica Rodriguez, St. Philip Benizi’s religious education director, explained that it’s instructive for young people to tackle works of mercy. “I think it’s important because they establish relationships, life skills that will follow them throughout their young age into their adulthood. I think it shows them that we should all work together in order to make a difference.”
Father Nobert Jean-Pierre, pastor of St. Philip Benizi, said the summer camp is important for its parishioners. “Belle Glade is an agricultural community, where most of the members are farmworkers,” he said. “Our parish community plays a very important role in the lives of their children.”
The summer program, occurring July 8-26, is also helpful, Father Jean-Pierre said, “because doing this activity is an occasion for us to spend some time with the children and to talk to them about Jesus and his love for each child that comes to the summer program.”
The main focus of the summer camp is “to bring them here into a safe environment, where they learn the Catholic values: love one another, be kind to one another and respect,” he said. “I am also focusing on teaching them the importance of good manners: to say ‘good morning,’ ‘please,’ ‘may I’ and so on, and to bring them closer to Jesus Christ.”
While in Belle Glade, the St. Lucie youths were filled with joy, not only because they were fulfilling their volunteer/service hours, but it was evident that they were happy giving and helping those less fortunate.
A few of the young people spoke about what they learned from their mission projects. Emma McGann said, “This feels amazing to help others.” With a big smile on her face, Abby Kelly agreed, “It is amazing to help others.” Helen Navach added, “It feels amazing helping people in need and giving back to people what we have and they don’t have, serving God and helping others.”
For more information on St. Lucie Parish’s youth and family ministry, call Loretta Barnes at 772-878-1215, visit https://stlucie.cc/ and follow on Facebook. To contact the parish, call 561-996-3870 or visit https://stphilipbenizi.com/.
