Youth attend Catholic Heart Work Camp

"How I saw God this week," is a powerful statement. This is what 20 youth and seven adults said from Gardnerville's St. Gall Catholic Church, who served alongside 380 other participants in Denver on June 11-19. There will be 11,000 other Catholic Heart Work Camp participants from around the country saying the same thing this summer.

The St. Gall participants have been fundraising since the beginning of 2010 to attend Catholic Heart Work Camp, a Catholic, youth focused organization that encourages teens to become in tune with their need to serve and connect with others who are in need.

While at camp, participants are placed on work teams to work on service projects based on the needs of the camp location. While in Denver, our teams painted homes and offices, resurfaced decks, built patios and fences, many hours were spent outside in environmental clean up, working with underprivileged children, assisting the seniors, and two teams where asked to repair and bind approximately 18,000 books that are being sent to schools in Africa.

"I saw God in my amigos when they got excited about their jobs, helping residents, in the patience of my team when having to be reassigned mid-week, through all the amazing people that I met from all over the United States, I have been inspired to become a better person."

These words were written by our St. Gall youth. I tear up just thinking about what a positive experience we have all had. What was witnessed in Denver is something I truly want to see for our own Carson Valley community. I realize that there are many terrific adult organizations that are working to improve lives here and elsewhere. However, I would like to see that the youth be given an opportunity to make a positive change. The youth are the future and they have so much to offer and so much energy.

With the challenging economic times and the strains on families, faith is what is needed to survive. With an understanding of what God's purpose is for each of us and the need to live our lives as Christ asks of us is vital.

The youth of St. Gall are beginning plans and researching on how they may help in Carson Valley. If you are interested in supporting our call to be servants of Christ, write to St. Gall Catholic Church, Attention: Youth Ministry, 1343 Centerville Lane, Gardnerville, NV 89410.