St. Pat's youth ministry plans to visit Peru
Published on June 20th, 2007
STONEHAM, MA - "Youth is a gift to be shared, not a problem to be solved," says Director of St. Patrick Youth Ministry Marco Desiderio, who can barely contain himself as he speaks of the dozens of kids involved in St. Patrick Youth Ministry, and their tremendous energy and interest in serving the community.
Since September, when Desiderio arrived at St. Patrick's, high school-age kids have flocked to the Parish Center on Sunday nights and at other times during the week, to share in activities of fun, prayer, and service, despite busy schedules filled with school, sports, and jobs.
"We try to fill this little space in their lives...Everybody is welcome. The important thing is that they all feel welcome, accepted and celebrated."
The involvement and commitment to service has fascinated Desiderio and he is excited to organize a group of these teens on a mission to Peru this summer.
Sixteen youths and 9 adults are expected to arrive in Peru from St. Pats on July 24, bringing with them their time, talents, energy and faith to the children of San Bartolo. Spurred by a visit from Fr. Luiz Capoletti last fall, the idea of traveling to Peru came from one of the youths as they packed Thanksgiving food baskets for the elderly and needy of the parish. From there, Desiderio said, the idea took off and learning about Peru, preparing for the trip and what they will do there, as well as fund raising have followed.
This Sunday, June 24, the St. Patrick Parish Youth Ministry will host a Pancake Breakfast after each of the masses. It is open to the community. This is the second Pancake Breakfast hosted by the youth group, which has also hosted two Pasta Dinners, all of which have been great successes thanks to the generosity of the parish and community. On Tuesday, June 26, at the Venetian Moon restaurant in Reading, the youth group will host a fashion show with fashions provided by Lexi & Me and hair and make up by Nicolo Salon of Melrose.
The cost of the trip per person is approximately $1,400 and the youths' fund raising activities will also help defray the costs of the chaperones' trips.
"The parish has been so generous and even the Stoneham community...I'm amazed by the generosity," Desiderio said.
St. Patrick Parish has for years supported the mission of San Bartolo. With a relationship already established, the demonstrated need in San Bartolo, and the help and enthusiasm from Fr. Luiz who comes back to St. Patrick's often, the idea became a plan and the plan is becoming a reality.
Asked what the teens will do in San Bartolo, Desiderio said whatever it is that they love to do. The 16 teens will be broken up into four groups and each of them will have a turn to lead their team by teaching and involving the children of San Bartolo with an activity. For example, one teen loves baseball, so when it is his turn to lead the group, his three team members will help him teach and play baseball with the children. Another teen might enjoy music, so when his or her turn comes, that is what he or she will share with the children. Desiderio stressed, however, that the skill itself is not important, it is the desire to share it.
"God will work through anything. You don't have to be super talented. He's going to use you, your weaknesses, your inabilities, and your limitations."
To prepare for the trip, Desiderio said, the teens must accept that this mission is their top priority right now because of all that it entails. The youth are currently planning the activities they will share with the children, and are learning as much about Peru as they can, including its politics and government, poverty, customs and even food. Time for prayer and adoration will be incorporated into each day, just as it is for every meeting of the youth group.
Desiderio stressed the importance of prayer and adoration each day while in Peru. In the silence the group will share at the start of each day, they will be united with God, for "without God at the center of our mission, it is not a mission."
"These kids desire peace and service. How do we get there? Through silence. Silence gives them time to listen to their thoughts."
"Everything's been working out for us," he said, explaining that one example of how God has been providing for the mission is when Desiderio prayed that they could get a nurse to come with them.
"The next day, someone comes in my office saying, 'I found you a nurse."
To those who ask 'Why go all the way to Peru when you could be helping here?' Desiderio, who has a missionary zeal and has been on a number of missions, says that leaving the familiar can be a life changing experience.
"Going away changes you...It's uncomfortable...In this place, their hearts will be in the right place. Going to Peru is another way to share the gift."
Upon the group's return, it hopes to share its experiences with the community via a documentary it plans to film during its mission, thanks to the generosity of Stoneham TV which is lending its equipment.
"If people can see what we did in Peru, they'll understand."
In addition, the entire Youth Ministry body will continue to involve itself in service at home and, in particular, hopes to continue developing a positive relationship between themselves and the elderly through various efforts including weekly visits to nursing homes.
"I'm working on taking them out of their bubble and welcome them into the adult arena," Desiderio said.
If you are interested in helping cover some of the expenses of the mission to Peru, checks can be made out to St. Patrick Parish Youth Ministry or call Marco Desiderio for more information at (781) 438-0040.
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