St. Patricia Teen Group Mission Trip

The St. Patricia Teen Group has started a GoFundMe page with the hopes of raising $15,000.

This is the 14th year that St. Patricia Parish in Hickory Hills, IL will be sending its teen group to participate in a Group Work Camp.  While the location changes each year, this summer we are heading to Chattanooga, TN, from June 16-23, 2019.

We have a total of 36 teenagers and 7 chaperones attending.  All 36 passionate teenagers will have completed a training session with the help of our skilled parishioners and friends who donate their time and talents to prepare these youth for the challenges the camp brings.

Upon arriving in Chattanooga, we will join with 200-300 additional teenagers and their chaperones from all over the US who come to achieve the same purpose.  Together, we will make a difference in the lives of others, but what we experience individually is indescribable.

During our week on site, we will do our part for those who are truly in need due to limited capabilities, disabilities, or seniors who are alone.  It might be due to an illness, or perhaps they have other physical or even financial hardships.  We bring a sense of belonging to our residents by socializing and sharing our spirituality with them.

The work to be accomplished during our stay can be as simple as cleaning up a yard for someone who is tethered to an oxygen line.  We can scrape and paint the exterior/interior of a house for someone who has physical limitations.  We can build decks with wheelchair ramps for people who are wheel chair bound that cannot leave their house.  We can roof houses for residents who have fallen on hard financial times.  There are always plenty of jobs to accomplish.

The best part of our trip is the bond we build with the residents.  We bring our talents and passion for helping others, but we leave with a fondness and warmth in our hearts knowing we indeed made a difference to someone who needed our help.  It is overwhelming and emotional by weeks' end; we feel like family.

Here is a testimonial from our camper Olivia:

Firstly, I'd like to thank the parishioners for all your generous donations and prayers.  This was the third trip I attended.  Every year, I continue to learn more about myself along with picking up some carpentry skills.  I was once again blessed to be put on two work sites where my resident was extremely welcoming.  My project included removing and rebuilding a fence, as well as skirting a trailer home.  The moment I realized I was making a difference was when my resident thanked us over and over again for being there, and told us how hard it was to accept help.  She was always the one helping others.  This realization was made because it takes a lot for someone to break down their barriers and understand that they need help.

On behalf of the St. Patricia Teen Group, thank you for your support of our mission.  We sincerely appreciate your generosity.

Please keep us in your prayers for a safe and productive journey.