This past July, a handful of teens from our parish participated in the annual San Antonio Neighbors Mission Trip alongside teens from several other San Antonio parishes and beyond. The week-long experience of service, prayer, and fellowship was hosted by St. Mary Magdalen Catholic Church. The group’s primary project was serving as Christ’s hands and feet in the surrounding neighborhood by painting homes in need of restoration. Beginning on Monday, the teens participated in Mass each morning, receiving strength and perspective for the day through the prayers of the Church and presence of Christ. After a hearty breakfast, the workday began. The teens worked hard in the summer heat, taking brief breaks for water, lunch, and group prayer.
In the evenings, the teens were invited into a deeper relationship with God through talks by Father Will Combs, BBD, and sacramental encounters such as Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament and Reconciliation. The teens were in many different places in their relationships with God, some having very little connection to the Church or Jesus at all. However, spiritual conversations and new friendships planted seeds that, God-willing, will bear fruit in their journeys of faith. The houses began to transform as day-by-day old paint was scraped away and fresh paint was applied. After a lot of effort and teamwork, the houses were done! The residents were so grateful for the teens and their efforts throughout the week. The experience ended on Friday with a day of fun at Schlitterbahn before the teens returned home for a well-deserved weekend of rest.
After an experience like the Mission Trip, teens have an idea of what it means to work hard, pray hard, and to do it all as a young church on mission with and through Christ. Look out for details for next summer’s Mission Trip and how you can get involved and support the youth! If you would like more information on youth activities taking place at our parish throughout the year, please don’t hesitate to contact us at
210-494-1959.
Blake Tamez is the Director of Youth Ministry at St. Mark the Evangelist.
